Ottawa Valley fiddling: Issues of identity and style

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The Ottawa Valley is an area of Canada known for its rich heritage of music and dance. During the 19th century, approximately 70 per cent of the population was of Irish origin; the largest concentration of people of Irish origin in British North America, however, the region has not experienced the continual influx of new Irish immigrants throughout the 20th century to refresh and revitalise its new world tradition. Rather, its culture and specifically music and dance have gradually been filtered through time and blended with other traditions to emerge into something distinct from and yet undeniably linked with the source traditions. The fight for continuity has been strong but the tide of change even stronger. The intensity of ethnic identity in the Valley population is undeniable and has played a significant role in the maintenance and development of the traditional culture.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)339-344
JournalBritish Journal of Canadian Studies
Volume11
Issue number2
Publication statusPublished (in print/issue) - 1996

Keywords

  • Irish
  • Canada
  • Ottawa Valley
  • music
  • dancing
  • fiddle

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