The purpose of this book is to illuminate the usefulness of folkloristic perspectives in ethnological and culture history research. The point of departure is the author's personal research experiences and reflections. The book concentrates on four folkloristic fields of research. These are: small narratives considered in a social context; rituals of various kinds; folk beliefs; materiality in the meaning of folklife art and symbols on grave memorials.
Anders Gustavsson, (b. 1940), professor of cultural history at the Department of Cultural Studies and Oriental Languages, University of Oslo, 1997-2010 and senior professor since 2011. PhD from the University of Lund, 1972, then associate professor in ethnology in Lund, part time also in Gothenburg and Bergen; professor of ethnology, University of Uppsala, 1987-1997. His research has concerned popular religion, popular movements with emphasis on temperance and revivalistic movements, coastal culture, cultural meetings, cultural heritage, border cultures, rites of passage, gravestone symbolism, memorial internet websites, popular paintings, tourism and cycling.
