Oklahoma Historical SocietyFolklife CenterFamily Folklife

Oklahoma Family Folklife

Following are examples of how Oklahoma families preserve oral traditions and how oral traditions help interpret family heritage.

Li Li Vu at the Tet celebration in Oklahoma City, 1998.
Li Li Vu at the Tet celebration
in Oklahoma City, 1998.
A typical Christmas tree, Oklahoma City, 1940.
A typical Christmas tree, Oklahoma City, 1940.
Young American Indian ladies dressed in their finest. Anadarko, Oklahoma, 1949.
Young American Indian ladies dressed in
their finest. Anadarko, Oklahoma, 1949.
Young girls at Seminole Days 1995
Young girls at Seminole Days 1995
 arbor made for Cheyenne Sun Dance
This arbor was made for a Cheyenne Sun Dance near Concho, Oklahoma. Although this arbor uses cedar boughs other non-Cheyenne traditions make arbors using cottonwood, and other trees. Arbors were once common for Anglo American cultures too most often for church gatherings or just for a cool place to sleep in the summer months.

a charm string

CHARM STRINGS by Jay Bailey
Joyful Noise gospel singers
The Joyful Noise gospel singers singing is joyful and entertaining. The singers are participating in the Kolache Festival in Prague, Oklahoma. Prague is pronounced with a long a sound as in amen.
Kiowa boys are playing "potsy"
One of Oklahoma's liveliest traditions includes marble playing. These Kiowa boys are playing "potsy" in front of the Rainy Mountain School in southwest Oklahoma circa 1900.