Fall–Winter 2008 Volume 34: 3–4 The Journal of New York Folklore Meskhetian Turks Fretted Dulcimers Passover Rituals Pan Am 103 Remembrance Quilt NYC’s Filer-Machol Nepali People of Bhutan From the Director With this issue we instrumental in the early formation of that biannually, and readers can expect to receive bid a fond good-bye council’s Folk Feet program, which high- their copies reliably in October and May of to Faye McMahon, lights traditional dance. Welcome, Lisa! each year. who has been Voices’ Ellen McHale, Ph.D., Executive Director I’ve been fortunate to work with dedicated acquisitions editor New York Folklore Society editorial board members willing to donate for the past five years. [email protected] their time to review our submissions. The high Faye has shaped the www.nyfolklore.org quality of our publication would not be pos- look and subject mat- sible without the expertise of our managing ter of the journal, From the Editor editor, Sheri Englund, and our designer, Mary taking the original intent of Voices and This issue’s lead article, Beth Malmsheimer, as well as the sage advice enhancing its professionalism and scholarly Dee Britton’s “Com- of the New York Folklore Society’s executive content. Under Faye’s direction, Voices has fort in Cloth: The director, Ellen McHale, and the support of matured as a journal and has seen a widening Syracuse University her staff. The new acquistions editor, Eileen of its readership. The New York Folklore Remembrance Quilt,” Condon, will join the staff for the next issue. Society will miss her exacting work and documents the cre- As always, I remind you, the reader, that the creative viewpoint. Thank you, Faye! ation of a unique folk- future of Voices depends on your continued In the same breath, we welcome as our art memorial for the contributions. new editor Eileen Condon, who will take thirty-five students at Felicia Faye McMahon, Ph.D. the reins with the Spring/Summer 2009 Syracuse University who died with 235 others Acquisitions Editor issue of Voices. Eileen is program director as the result of a terrorist attack December New York Folklore Society for the Center for Traditional Music and 21, 1988. This and other articles on material [email protected] Dance’s Ukrainian Cultural Initiative, having culture, ritual storytelling, and traditional mu- taken this post after several years as folklorist sic demonstrate the important contributions at the Dutchess County Arts Council. Her made by today’s folklorists working in the I am delighted to begin column, “In Praise of Women,” profiles academic and public spheres. In the next issue, serving as acquisitions some of the women important to the field Voices will welcome food columnist Makalé editor for Voices, a publica- of folklore and folklife in New York State. Faber Cullen, director of programs at Slow tion that does function as The society looks forward to her expertise Food USA in Brooklyn, New York. Makalé our voice: the collectively and outlook on the subject of folklore, folk will fill the shoes of our longtime food col- and individually rich sight- music, and folk arts. umnist Lynn Ekfelt, who wrote “Foodways” ings and soundings of tra- The New York Folklore Society is grow- for eight years and whose final contribution ditional artists, community groups, and culture ing again! In addition to the journal’s new appears in this issue. workers across New York State. I appreciate leadership, we welcome Lisa Overholser as After five years I end my tenure as editor outgoing acquisitions editor Faye McMahon’s our most recent addition to the staff. With of Voices: The Journal of New York Folklore. As helpful guidance as I come on board for the support from the National Endowment I reflect on what has been accomplished since next issue. I look forward to working with for the Arts, the society has been able to 2003, I am proud of our many achievements. and learning from Voices’ staff, editorial board add a folklorist position to superintend the Our submissions represent a wide and egali- members, contributors, and readers and will Mentoring and Professional Development tarian range of articles written by scholars, relish the communications that are part of program, to grow our services to the field, student folklorists, community members, the job. Critical feedback, ideas, questions, and to provide some significant folklore folk artists, and internationally recognized suggestions, scholarly and creative written documentation within the greater Capital names such as Roger Abrahams, Susan Davis, submissions, photography, artwork—all are Region. A native of the Midwest, Lisa is a Sandra Dolby, Elaine Lawless, and Brian Sut- most welcome. recent graduate of Indiana University with ton-Smith. Voices—which now boasts eight Eileen Condon a doctorate in ethnomusicology. She has in- regular columns, artist profiles, and an ongo- [email protected] terned at the Brooklyn Arts Council and was ing creative nonfiction section—is published “The expansion of cultural democracy demands an equal expansion of economic democracy.” –James Bau Graves, Cultural Democracy: The Arts, Community, and the Public Purpose (2005) Contents Fall–Winter 2008 3 Features 3 Comfort in Cloth: The Syracuse University Remembrance Quilt by Dee Britton 8 Hallowed Ground Photographs by Martha Cooper 10 Ritual and Storytelling: A Passover Tale by Barbara Myerhoff; Introduction by Steve Zeitlin 16 A Trip to Poppies by Ashley Torregrossa 18 Filer-Machol: Couturier to “Our Crowd” by Mari S. Gold 28 Diatonisk and the Dulcimer by Nils R. Caspersson 38 One the Needle, Another the Thread: Ahiska in Syracuse by Felicia Faye McMahon 16 Departments and Columns 2 NYFS News 18 7 In Praise of Women by Eileen Condon 15 Play by John Thorn 24 Upstate by Varick A. Chittenden 25 Downstate by Steve Zeitlin 26 Field Notes by Felicia Faye McMahon 27 Good Spirits by Libby Tucker 35 Obituary Cover: Camila Kakhromanova, 36 Still Going Strong Sanabar Kakhromanova, and by Paul Margolis Sabina Mamedova. Photo: Felicia Faye McMahon 37 Foodways by Lynn Case Ekfelt 41 Reading Culture 38 by Tom van Buren 42 Books to Note Fall–Winter 2008, Volume 34: 3–4 A Continuing Education Colloquia will be held at Empire State Street, Schenectady, and on our web site, WS Opportunity College–Hartsdale in Westchester County www.nyfolklore.org. Visit us for all of your Empire State College–Hartsdale, with the on Thursday evenings from 6:00–8:00 p.m. holiday shopping. professorial leadership of Cathy Ragland, from October 16 through December 18. If you are a frequent online shopper for is teaming up with the New York Folk- For further information or to indicate your goods and services, please consider register- lore Society to offer a series of colloquia: intention to attend, please call the New York ing with ShopforMuseums.com. A portion “Folk and Community Arts Organizations: Folklore Society at (518) 346-7008. of each purchase you make is donated to Creating, Producing, and Managing.” The the New York Folklore Society. colloquia are offered free of charge. The NYFS at the New York Library NYFS NE New York State Council on the Arts’ Folk Association Arts Program is supporting this series of Please visit the New York Folklore Society weekly lectures as a continuing education booth at the New York Library Associa- opportunity through the New York Folklore tion conference at City Center in Saratoga Society’s Community Scholar Field School. Springs on November 6–8. Come and see The series is for anyone interested in folk our new look and promotional materials. We and community arts. Topics will include phi- love to meet our membership and to hear losophies and models for working with folk from you firsthand! Fall–Winter 2008 · Volume 34: 3–4 and community-based artists; collaborating Acquisitions Editor Felicia Faye McMahon Managing Editor Sheryl A. Englund with schools, museums, and other cultural Gallery of New York Folk Art Design Mary Beth Malmsheimer agencies; programming festivals; designing The New York Folklore Society has a year- Printer Eastwood Litho exhibits; and archiving, as well as hands-on round gallery shop, offering a consignment Editorial Board Varick Chittenden, Lydia Fish, workshops on fieldwork and documentation sales opportunity for folk artists within the Nancy Groce, Lee Haring, Libby Tucker, Kay Turner, Dan Ward, Steve Zeitlin strategies. state. Sales are available in person at 133 Jay Voices: The Journal of New York Folklore is published twice a year by the New York Folklore Society, Inc. Support the NYFS 133 Jay Street P.O. Box 764 Whenever You Shop Online! Schenectady, NY 12301 New York Folklore Society, Inc. Executive Director Ellen McHale Did you know that, by shopping online, you can earn Web Administrator Patti Mason Voice (518) 346-7008 donations for the New York Folklore Society? Fax (518) 346-6617 Web Site www.nyfolklore.org The New York Folklore Society has partnered with ShopforMuseums.com, Board of Directors a national museum fundraising program, where you can shop with over President Sherre Wesley three hundred of your favorite online stores, and at no extra cost to you, Vice President Hanna Griff-Sleven have a percentage of your purchase value donated to the New York Folklore Secretary-Treasurer Karen Canning Society! Austin Fisher, Ellen Fladger, Delcy Ziac Fox, Jan Hanvik, Alice Lai, Ken Lo, Elena Martinez, Paul Here’s how: Mercer, Libby Tucker, Mary Zwolinski • Go to www.ShopforMuseums.com. Advertisers: To inquire, please call the NYFS • Log in. (518) 346-7008 or fax (518) 346-6617. • Click on the New York Folklore Society. • Click on the link of the store you want to visit, and go about your shopping. Voices is available in Braille and recorded versions.