Culture of Arkansas

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The culture of Arkansas is a subculture of the Southern United States that has come from blending heavy amounts of various European settlers' cultures with the cultures of

Civil Rights Movement
.

On a more abstract level, Arkansas's culture can be seen and heard in its literature, music,

sports, film, television and art. Arkansas is known for such authors as John Gould Fletcher, John Grisham, Charlaine Harris, and Maya Angelou; for musicians and bands such as Johnny Cash and Charlie Rich; for interest in football, hunting
and fishing; for the films and television shows filmed in the state and the actors and actresses from Arkansas; and for the art created by Arkansans and inspired by the state of Arkansas.

People

The people of Arkansas are stereotyped both by their manners and for being highly religious. Language in Arkansas is a combination of several different sub-dialects of Southern American English found across the state. The state's culture is also influenced by its economy. Finally, Arkansas' cuisine is integral to its culture with such foods as barbecue, traditional country cooking, fried catfish and chicken, wild duck, rice, purple hull peas, okra, apples, fried green tomatoes and grits being part of the people of Arkansas's diet and economy.[citation needed]

Reputation of Arkansas

The

Old State House Museum housed an exhibit regarding the state's reputation in 2012.[1]

Origins

Famous Currier and Ives lithograph of The Arkansas Traveller, a major contributor to Arkansas's enduring image. Today, the painting and lithograph are housed in Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville.

The present day image of Arkansas has evolved from early diary entries written by the first visitors to the state. During the frontier period, many were exploring the new western extents of the United States and sending their findings back east. Henry Schoolcraft, George William Featherstonhaugh, and Henry Merrill were some of Arkansas's earliest detractors.[2] Their accounts described the state as a backwater full of savages and outlaws. The travelers also commented on the self-sufficient nature and the wide range of survival skills possessed by the denizens of frontier Arkansas.[3] This characterization was common among frontier states, but since geography prevented travelers from passing through Arkansas in subsequent years, the early commentary held in the public consciousness.[4]

The image continued to grow when southwestern humor publications played on the backwardsness of poor whites, especially in hill country.

The Arkansas Traveller, a painted depiction of a folk tale from the 1840s.[6] The tale involves gubernatorial candidate Archibald Yell and his party of politicians becoming lost in the Ozarks on a campaign trip and resorting to asking for directions at a squatter's cabin. The man continues to play his banjo and evade the traveler's questions before feeding the party and allowing them to stay the night.[6] Although intended to represent the divide between rich southeastern plantation Arkansas planters and the poor northwestern hill country, the meaning was twisted to represent a Northerner lost in the Ozarks on a white horse asking a backwoods Arkansan for directions.[7] The legend continued to grow, including a play named Kit, the Arkansas Traveler
and the publication of a humor journal named the Arkansaw Traveler.

Racist component

Another component of Arkansas's image is its history of racism and racial violence. Arkansas is

Central High School in Little Rock defined Arkansas as a state which was resistant to racial integration for many years and in the minds of many people, it also renewed the stereotype which portrayed Arkansas as a racist state. Frequently, the Little Rock Nine crisis and similar events are the only references to the state which are mentioned in history books, thus forming the opinions of many and perpetuating the state's negative reputation.[8]

Southern dialect in Arkansas

Gov.

Oxford University in England and Yale Law School in the Ivy League
, two of the finest institutions of learning in the world. So how come you still talk like a hillbilly?

—Quote exhibiting the assumed link between accent and education, Mike Royko, 1992.[9]

See also: Southern American English

Many Arkansans speak with a Southern dialect or accent, although it is generally characterized as an

Upper South accent similar to that of neighboring Oklahoma and Texas, in contrast to the accent of the Deep South accent prevalent in southeastern Arkansas including the Arkansas Delta.[10] The accent is an important method for Arkansans to identify themselves with the Southern culture, and is commonly used by those from other regions to link Arkansas to the illiterate, uneducated Southern stereotype.[11]

Anecdotes of Northern accent-holders disrespecting and dismissing the intelligence of those with Southern dialects are largely the result of popular culture's portrayal of the South, including Gone With the Wind, The Beverly Hillbillies, and Deliverance.[12] Rosina Lippi, author and holder of a PhD in linguistics, has commented that Northerners use the link to ignorant, lazy Southerners to denigrate the South.[11] Since Southerners are a group connected by a common culture and history rather than a race defined by ethnic characteristics, the North uses the Southern accent to appeal to stereotypes[11] of the region that are otherwise uncomfortable topics, such as racism.[13] The belittlement of Southern dialect speakers has been effective[11] to the point at which classes on losing one's Southern accent are offered for those looking to move and work in the North.[14]

Food and drink

See also: List of foods of the Southern United States

Meats, poultry, fish and seafood

Pulled pork sandwich and baked beans (Cabot)

Arkansas lies among three well-known

Kansas City, and has a mixture of styles across the state rather than a distinct "Arkansas style". This combination is sometimes known as the "Mid-South style".[15] Much of the Arkansas Delta was settled by migrants from Tennessee and Virginia, who brought their barbecue traditions to Arkansas. Independence Day barbecues are described in Arkansas as early as 1821, prior to statehood.[16] In the Delta, barbecues were community events, eventually coopted by politicians seeking to meet voters. Antebellum pit barbecues in Arkansas were often established around trenches dug in a clearing in the woods, filled with oak and hickory burned down to hot coals, tended by slaves, and served whatever animals the community was willing to offer, including cows, pigs, sheep, goats, chickens, deer, wild turkey and possums.[17] Slaves also hosted their own barbecues on plantations, though the practice was significantly curbed after Gabriel's Rebellion and the Nat Turner's Rebellion.[18]

The smoked meat tradition was very important to early settlers to preserve meat, as the smokehouse was one of the Arkansas settler's most important outbuildings.[19] Hog hunts and pig roasts were community events in early Arkansas.[20]

Popular restaurant dishes include

pulled pork and chicken sandwiches, brisket, and ribs served with traditional side dishes. BBQ chicken is especially prominent in the Ozarks region, which has a long history of poultry production. Some BBQ restaurants, such as McClard's Bar-B-Q in Hot Springs,[21] are also known for hot tamales (often called "delta style tamales" in the Arkansas delta).[22]

Other traditional meat entrees include hamburger steak with gravy and onions and fried dishes (

chicken fried steak, fried chicken, catfish
).

  • Twice cooked chicken, potato salad, purple hull peas, corn bread, and iced tea
    Twice cooked chicken, potato salad, purple hull peas, corn bread, and iced tea
  • Chicken fried steak, corn nuggets, purple hull peas
    Chicken fried steak, corn nuggets, purple hull peas
  • BBQ beef sandwich and smoked beans
    BBQ beef sandwich and smoked beans
  • Shrimp and potatoes
    Shrimp and potatoes
  • Ribs, potato salad, baked beans, and bread
    Ribs, potato salad, baked beans, and bread
  • Tamales
    Tamales
  • Smothered chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, macaroni and cheese and roll
    Smothered chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, macaroni and cheese and roll
  • Fried chicken
    Fried chicken
  • BBQ sandwich and baked beans
    BBQ sandwich and baked beans
  • BBQ beef platter with baked beans and coleslaw
    BBQ beef platter with baked beans and coleslaw
  • Tamales platter
    Tamales platter

Side dishes and condiments

corn bread, greens, potato dishes (baked potato or French fries), macaroni and cheese, salads (fruit, garden, Jello, pasta or potato), coleslaw
, corn, and a variety of fried vegetables (such as okra or pickles).

Cheese dip, Stoby's (Conway)

Cheese dip, sometimes referred to as

Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism's Cheese Dip Trail has 19 stops across the state. Arkansas cheese dip won a blind taste test against Texas-style queso among United States Senate Republicans in 2016, following a feature about Arkansas's cheese dip heritage in The Wall Street Journal.[24]

Sweets

Early Arkansas settlers relied on

bee gum in a black gum tree.[25] Almost every early farmer had a patch of sorghum to make sorghum molasses for use as a sweetener when honey ran out.[26] Fall sorghum harvests led to meetings at the community sorghum mill, which doubled as community events.[27]

the Ozarks, where people collect sap (although commonly called "water" in the area) from the trees in a method similar to Vermont or Canada. Although dependent upon weather conditions, January and February are generally the only window when this type of sap harvesting is feasible due to the warm Arkansas climate. This water is harvested and boiled, traditionally in large cast iron pots, usually requiring approximately 43 US gallons (160 L) of water to produce 1 US gallon (3.8 L) of syrup. For many in the Ozarks, this is a family tradition involving camping in the woods among the trees or other family gatherings.[28]

  • Fried pickles
    Fried pickles
  • Governor Asa Hutchinson (left) and US Representative Mike Ross (second from left), competes in the annual watermelon eating competition in Hope
    Governor Asa Hutchinson (left) and US Representative Mike Ross (second from left), competes in the annual watermelon eating competition in Hope
  • Fried catfish, purple hull peas, and hot water cornbread
    Fried catfish, purple hull peas, and hot water cornbread
  • Fried catfish, mashed potatoes and gravy, and greens
    Fried catfish, mashed potatoes and gravy, and greens

Restaurants

Little Rock's Lassis Inn was a meeting place for civil rights leaders in the 1950s and 60s, including Daisy Bates, while they were planning efforts such as the desegregation of Little Rock Central High School.[29][30][31][32][33] In 2017 it was among the three inaugural inductees into the Arkansas Food Hall of Fame, along with Rhoda's Famous Hot Tamales and Jones Bar-B-Q Diner.[34][35] In 2020, it was named an America's Classic by the James Beard Foundation. [34][36]


Arts

Architecture

Arkansan E. Fay Jones's Thorncrown Chapel in Eureka Springs

The architecture of Arkansas varies wildly, whether one is looking across the street, across the city, or across the state. Architecture can be divided into two main branches: folk houses and structures in a traditional sense and buildings built in a specific style to follow a trend or explore a new style.

The historical timeline of architecture in Arkansas is similar to that of the nation. Throughout the 1800s three styles vied for dominance:

Second Empire became en vogue during the late 1800s. Later structures near the turn of the century frequently modeled the Queen Anne and Romanesque Revival styles. Charles L. Thompson became very active in Arkansas in the late 1800s and into the next century. His firm designed over 2,000 buildings in the state and was at the forefront of architecture in Arkansas for many years. Today 143 of his firm's older works are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[37]

A variety of architectural styles became popular in Arkansas in the 20th century, including

Art Deco. E. Fay Jones began producing works of organic architecture, including Thorncrown Chapel and Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel and several homes in northwest Arkansas. Most recent buildings in Arkansas have been constructed in modern style. [citation needed
]

Early settlers began by fabricating log structures and shacks using available materials.

Literature

Main article:
Arkansas Literature

Early literature about Arkansas shortly after statehood in 1836 describes Arkansas as a savage backwater populated by lazy farmers and unintelligent slaves. Arkansas was also frequently the subject of Southwest humor pieces, a genre in which exaggeration and hyperbole is used for comedic effect. Some of these images stuck in the public conscience, and are partially responsible for the "Arkansas hillbilly" stereotype still commonly applied today. Literature from Arkansas natives often bears the mark of the state's varied geography. The culture of rural Arkansas towns is reflected in works like I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou (based in Stamps, Arkansas) and John Grisham's A Painted House (based in Black Oak, Arkansas). The University of Arkansas Press is the state's largest publisher.

Music

Main article: Music of Arkansas

Performing arts

King Opera House, located in the Van Buren Historic District was built in the late 19th century

The state of Arkansas has a few theaters for the performance arts, including the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville, the Arkansas Public Theatre in Rogers, the Robinson Center in Little Rock, and the King Opera House in Van Buren. The Arkansas Arts Council supports a group of touring performers as well as providing financial support for the performing arts.[38] Arkansas Repertory Theatre, based in Little Rock, is the state's largest non-profit theater company. Northwest Arkansas also has a regional theater company, TheatreSquared, the region's only year-round theater. TheatreSquared has received recognition from the American Theatre Wing and focuses on youth arts education in addition to their 100+ performances annually.

Little Rock hosts the

Arkansas Arts Center in downtown Little Rock is the state's premier arts center, including permanent works by Rembrandt, Pablo Picasso, and Edgar Degas.[39] Across the Arkansas River, the Argenta Arts District contains a community theatre as well as studios and galleries.[40]

Ozark Folk Center State Park in Mountain View. Folk dances, including square dances and hoedowns, were a dominant cultural force across early Arkansas.[41]

Museums

A wing of Crystal Bridges spans its namesake spring, April 2012
See also: List of museums in Arkansas and Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art

The museums in Arkansas display and preserve the culture of Arkansas for future generations. From fine art to history, Arkansas museums are available throughout the state. The most popular museum in Arkansas is

Arkansas Arts Center in Little Rock and South Arkansas Arts Center in El Dorado
.

History museums interpret the history of the state for Arkansans and tourists, and are located across the state. The

Central High School National Historic Site, Fort Smith National Historic Site, and Pea Ridge National Military Park
.

The Department of Arkansas Heritage operates four different museums in Arkansas including the

Toltec Mounds Archeological State Park. History museums such as the Grant County Museum in Sheridan, Headquarters House Museum in Fayetteville, Lakeport Plantation near Lake Village, and the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History in Springdale
seek to preserve pieces of local and regional significance.

Sports

The Arkansas Razorbacks football team

Sports are an integral part of the culture of Arkansas, and its residents enjoy participating and spectating various events throughout the year. One of the oldest sports in Arkansas is hunting. The large supply and cheap production of guns following the

White River have become a destination for trout fishers. Several smaller retirement communities such as Bull Shoals, Hot Springs Village, and Fairfield Bay have flourished due to their position on a fishing lake. The Buffalo National River has been preserved in its natural state by the National Park Service
and is frequented by fly fishers annually.

Football, especially collegiate football, has always been important to Arkansans, primarily because of a lack of a top level professional sports team. College football in Arkansas began from humble beginnings. The

Little Rock in an effort to keep fan support in central and south Arkansas. Arkansas State University joined the Football Bowl Subdivision along with the University of Arkansas in 1992 after playing in lower divisions for decades. However, the two schools have never played each other, due to the University of Arkansas' policy of not playing intrastate games.[45] Six of Arkansas's smaller colleges play in the Great American Conference, with University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff playing in the Southwestern Athletic Conference and University of Central Arkansas competing in the Southland Conference
.


See also

Notes

  1. ^ "Arkansas/Arkansaw: A State and its Reputation". Old State House Museum. Archived from the original on November 14, 2012. Retrieved October 20, 2012.
  2. JSTOR 40026271
    .
  3. ^ Blevins 2009, pp. 14–15.
  4. ^ Blevins 2009, p. 16.
  5. ^ "Traditions in Southern Humor". American Quarterly. 5 (2). The Johns Hopkins University Press: 113. Summer 1953.
  6. ^ a b Blevins 2009, p. 30.
  7. ^ "The Arkansas Traveler". Bentonville, Arkansas: Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
  8. JSTOR 40026271
    .
  9. ^ Royko, Mike (October 11, 1992). "Opinion". Chicago Tribune.
  10. ISBN 978-0879109677
    .
  11. ^ a b c d Lippi-Green 1997, p. 212.
  12. ^ Lippi-Green 1997, pp. 209–210.
  13. ^ Lippi-Green 1997, pp. 215–216.
  14. ^ Collins, Jeffery; Wyatt, Kristen (November 24, 2011). "Hey, y'all, want to lose the drawl?". USA Today. Retrieved January 30, 2013.
  15. ^ "McDonough" (1975), pp. 2–3.
  16. ^ "Slaw" (2012), p. 27.
  17. ^ "Slaw" (2012), pp. 28–29.
  18. ^ "Slaw" (2012), pp. 30.
  19. ^ "McDonough" (1975), p. 67.
  20. ^ "McDonough" (1975), pp. 67–68.
  21. ^ Wells, Lindsey (May 27, 2018). "Nationally-recognized barbecue restaurant celebrates 90 years". Hot Springs Sentinel-Record. Hot Springs, Arkansas. Retrieved August 3, 2019.
  22. ^ Van Zandt, Emily (June 5, 2014). "Still Hot on Tamales". Arkansas Life. Archived from the original on August 4, 2019. Retrieved August 3, 2019.
  23. OCLC 36098632
    . Retrieved August 3, 2019.
  24. OCLC 25174115
    .
  25. ^ "McDonough" (1975), pp. 67–68.
  26. ^ "McDonough" (1975), p. 160.
  27. ^ "McDonough" (1975), pp. 167–168.
  28. ^ Alexander, Amber. "Water from a Tree – Making Maple Syrup in the Ozarks". Edible Ozarkansas (6). Fayetteville, Arkansas: Feed Communities, Inc.: 14–20.
  29. ^ "Encyclopedia of Arkansas". Encyclopedia of Arkansas. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
  30. ^ "Announcing the 2020 America's Classics Winners". www.jamesbeard.org. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
  31. ^ "Lassis Inn". Arkansas.com. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
  32. ^ Kraft, Chris (February 26, 2020). "What an "America's Classic" Award Can Do". Garden & Gun. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
  33. ^ "The sites in this guide are a key part of understanding America's story". NPR. July 30, 2022.
  34. ^ a b "Encyclopedia of Arkansas". Encyclopedia of Arkansas. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
  35. Arkansas Online
    . Retrieved February 28, 2023.
  36. ^ "James Beard Foundation Names 6 Restaurants 'American Classics'". Food & Wine. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
  37. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  38. ^ Parker, Tina (August 23, 2012). "Eureka arts programs awarded $29K in grants". Carroll County News. Retrieved August 24, 2012.
  39. ^ "Arkansas Arts Center presents 55th annual Delta Exhibition". Stuttgart Daily Leader. Gatehouse Media, Inc. January 21, 2013. Retrieved February 4, 2013.
  40. ^ Hall, Christopher (August 22, 2010). "North Little Rock Finds its Cool". Travel. The New York Times. Retrieved February 4, 2013.
  41. ^ "McDonough" (1975), p. 186.
  42. ^ Bartels, Chuck (November 12, 2012). "600K visitors later, Crystal Bridges turns 1". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved November 18, 2012.[permanent dead link]
  43. ^ Reynolds, Chris (October 14, 2012). "Crystal Bridges art museum is reshaping Wal-Mart's hometown". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved November 18, 2012.
  44. ^ Griffee, Carol. "Odyssey Of Survival, A History of the Arkansas Conservation Sales Tax" (PDF). p. 10. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 17, 2013. Retrieved September 16, 2012.
  45. ^ "Arkansas matchup is not likely soon". Sun Herald. July 20, 2003. p. 9B.

References

External links

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