Boise Basque band, Amuma Says No, performed a socially distant pandemic concert at the Idaho Botanical Garden. Unable to resist, members of the Oinkari Basque Dancers also gave an impromptu performance. Playing accordion for Amuma Says No, Dan Ansotegui was awarded a 2019 National Heritage Award through the National Endowment for the Arts. Photographed by Arlie Sommer, Boise, Idaho.
Our Community
The American Folklore Society’s members are dedicated to folklore and expressive cultural traditions, and AFS is just as committed to serving the people and organizations engaged in understanding and advancing the folk and traditional arts.
Folklore Works
Bayou Culture Collaborative
Coastal Louisiana
Featured Folklorist
Ana Cara
Oberlin College
Folklore Works
The American Folklore Society works every day to amplify our members and the work they do to advance the understanding of folklore and cultural traditions. Stay tuned as we periodically showcase folklorists, their projects and programs, and the communities they serve through our Folklore Works features.
Help us shine a light on work in our field!
See more examples of what folklorists do
Sections
Sections serve as conversation groups and promote work in specific interest areas. Some sections sponsor panels and events at the AFS annual meeting. They also gather in in-person business meetings, in online platforms, and chat throughout the year. Many sections promote good work with prizes recognizing excellence in their areas of interest, and some produce journals or blogs.
I would not have had the career as a public folklorist that I have had without the American Folklore Society. Coming to public folklore through anthropology, so many people helped me get grounded as a state folklorist, and over the years, the annual meetings provided a means to exchange ideas, learn about new models, and get to know colleagues. I am grateful for the impact that AFS has had on my career.
Maida Owens
Gather Together
Join us at the Annual Meeting, the place to meet others who share your interest in folklore. Discover new research and ideas, make connections, create new friendships, and grow your understanding of the field.
Fellows
Established in 1960, the Fellows of the American Folklore Society is an honorary body of folklorists, whose election to the Fellows signifies their outstanding contributions to the field. The Fellows’ mission is primarily one of promoting the field of folklore studies and service to the American Folklore Society. The Fellows endeavor to do this through sponsoring programs and mentoring students at the annual meeting, and supporting AFS-sponsored projects.
Find an Expert
Looking for a scholar for a story, an expert for a documentary or a resource for a podcast? Folklorists study a wide range of topics, including holidays and rituals, legends and belief systems, traditional art, music and dance, and stories of all types. Recently, our members have shared their insights into everything from COVID-19 legends to the folk hero status of Dolly Parton.
AFS Career Center
The AFS Career Center connects job seekers across all disciplines and career stages with a large and diverse collection of relevant career opportunities, focusing on those relevant to the particular abilities and skills that make folklorists excellent candidates for a wide range of positions in universities, cultural organizations, and beyond.