Although the culture of

Idaho Idaho ( ) is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the Western United States. To the north, it shares a small portion of the Canada–United States border with the province of British Columbia. It borders the states of Montana and Wyomi ...

is reflective of the broader culture of the United States to some extent, some of the forces that have shaped the more distinctive aspects of the Idaho culture are

ethnographic Ethnography (from Greek ''ethnos'' "folk, people, nation" and ''grapho'' "I write") is a branch of anthropology and the systematic study of individual cultures. Ethnography explores cultural phenomena from the point of view of the subject ...

geographic Geography (from Greek: , ''geographia''. Combination of Greek words ‘Geo’ (The Earth) and ‘Graphien’ (to describe), literally "earth description") is a field of science devoted to the study of the lands, features, inhabitants, and ...

, and historical in nature. Additionally, the culture of Idaho is reflected in the state's symbols, traditions, stories, art, and cuisine.

Ethnographic influences

Idaho is home to several immigrant groups with notable histories. Specifically, Idaho is home to significant numbers of people with historical British, Native American, German, and Mexican historical ties. The Native peoples of north Idaho are of different language backgrounds and separate from the Uto-Aztecan peoples of the Great Basin and the

Shoshoni The Shoshone or Shoshoni ( or ) are a Native American tribe with four large cultural/linguistic divisions: * Eastern Shoshone: Wyoming * Northern Shoshone: southern Idaho * Western Shoshone: Nevada, northern Utah * Goshute: western Utah, east ...

tribes of southern Idaho. Among them the Nez Perces in the Clearwater and lower Salmon River welcomed the Lewis and Clark Expedition in the early 1800s. The Spalding Mission influenced greatly the subsequent history of the people in this area. The first major influx of European-Americans in the south came from Utah, comprising Mormons who needed more land after the Salt Lake Valley became inhabited. To this day LDS churches and the Mormon culture are predominant in the daily life and customs of south-east counties. In general the popular culture of the south of the State is shared with other inland Western states that developed out of cattle and sheep ranching, the "cowboy culture" of the late 19th C. Few ethnic enclaves have developed, although

Boise Boise (, , ) is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Idaho and is the county seat of Ada County. On the Boise River in southwestern Idaho, it is east of the Oregon border and north of the Nevada border. The downtown area' ...

and its environs have more people of Basque ancestry than anywhere outside the Western Pyrenees. For the most part, people live in mixed neighborhoods and carry on ethnic customs in their homes or churches. Cultural centers in the Treasure Valley region of southern Idaho include the Hispanic Cultural Center of Idaho and the Basque Center in downtown

. Another cultural site is the Minidoka Relocation Camp site, near Hagerman, which housed many Japanese-Americans during

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposing ...

in a concentration camp, from which the small but significant population of Japanese-Americans in the Snake River Valley mostly resettled starting in 1946. Idaho takes great pride in its potato farming, mass producing 322,000 potatoes each year in the Snake River Lava Plateau. The agricultural basis of the economy influences many aspects of the local culture, politics and activities.

Geographic influences

Geography has shaped the Idahoan identity, imprinting aesthetic and recreational aspects upon the culture. For example, consider that the world's first chairlift was built in Sun Valley and that skiing is cherished as an Idaho pastime. Additionally, the rivers and high mountain lakes of Idaho contribute to a rich fishing culture within the state. The significance of Idaho's fishing culture is partly revealed by the impact of fishing recreation on the economy of Idaho. There are variations arising from geography that impact culture. For example, the state features some areas that could be classified as urban (such as Boise), and others that could be classified as decidedly rural.

Historical influences

In examining historical influences upon the culture of Idaho, the effect of Mormon and European settlers holds a notable position.

References

{{Culture of US