Part of the hive: an immersion in the folklife of the beekeepers of the greater Pittsburgh Area

Abstract

"Part of the Hive: An Immersion in the Folklife of the Beekeepers of the Greater Pittsburgh Area" examines the cultural and social beliefs of urban and rural beekeepers located in and around the counties that define the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area. It examines the material culture, communal interactions, and the personified racial and gendered understanding of honeybees that when combined create the foundation of this folk community. The personal and organizational beliefs (including philosophies, calendar customs, community outreach and education) are examined and discussed to better recognize how a modern folk group has adapted and grown through the benefit of technological advancements and formal educational components. The infrastructure of the folk group is also explored through the use of internal humor, contemporary legends, and conscious and subconscious understandings of folklore.