Customs and Traditions

Sandy Campbell is a reference librarian in the Science and Technology Library at the University of Alberta.

This slim, glossy volume is one of a series of books depicting the lives
of early European settlers in North America. While the book has a
distinctive “eastern” flavor about it, the authors have attempted to
describe widely practised customs and traditions.

Many photographs in the book appear to have originated at one or more
living-history museums. Although an earlier volume in the series is
dedicated to Williamsburg, there is no indication that this volume is
associated with any particular living-history museum or theme park. If
it were, the inclusion and exclusion of specific traditions might be
more understandable. For example, the tradition of bathing newborns in
wine is described, but the ancient Celtic tradition of giving newborns
small silver objects (which is still widely practised) is omitted. As
well as the photographs, delightful drawings and colorizations are used
to illustrate the book. These provide context and bring to life some of
the customs and traditions described.

The customs described encompass many community traditions, including
religious practices, weather prediction, cookery, health and
cleanliness, holidays, those having to do with courtship, marriage, and
birth, and others. There is also an index and a glossary. Overall, a
good general introduction for the upper-elementary level at a reasonable
price. Recommended.