New Directions in Folklore 5 October 2001
Newfolk :: NDiF :: Archive :: Issue 5 :: Page 1 ::

Spontaneous Shrines:
A Modern Response to Tragedy and Disaster

(Update 3/1/02)

Sylvia Grider

Since writing this article in October, 2001, I have learned that the term "spontaneous shrine" was coined by folklorist Jack Santino in 1992 in an article entitled, "'Not an Unimportant Failure': Rituals of Death and Politics in Northern Ireland," in Michael McCaughan, ed. Displayed in Mortal Light (Antrim: Antrim Arts Council, 1992). His most recent treatment of the spontaneous shrine phenomenon is in his new book, Signs of War and Peace: Social Conflict and the Use of Public Symbols in Northern Ireland. New York: Palgrave, 2001.

Santino also introduced the term "folk assemblage" in his article, "The Folk Assemblage of Autumn," in John Vlach and Simon Bronner, eds. Folk Art and Art Worlds. (Ann Arbor: UMI Research Press, 1986) and in a later article, "Yellow Ribbons and Seasonal Flags: The Folk Assemblage of War." Journal of American Folklore 105 (1992): 19-33.

Newfolk :: NDiF :: Archive :: Issue 5 :: Page 1::