Ozark Mountain Folk Magic

Folk magic has deep roots in the hollers of the Ozark Mountains, stretching back to the earliest European settlers to the region and beyond. It played a vital role in the lives of pioneers and homesteaders, and shaped Ozark culture in ways many of us unsuspectingly carry into the modern day. How was it practiced? Where did it originate? Was it effective? This talk will answer all of those questions and more, as we apply the lens of cultural anthropology to this enigmatic subculture of early Ozark pioneers.

Speaker is Justin Minor, a 7th generation Ozark descendant, cultural anthropologist, and historian/volunteer park guide at Fort Smith National Historic Site.