Folklore
Folk (translated to English - "folk wisdom", "popular knowledge") - Folk Art: songs, tales, legends, dances, dramatic works, as well as works of fine and decorative arts.
Preserved songs and tunes, which have reached us from time immemorial. The reason for this durability lies in the nature of folklore. One of its distinguishing features is that folklore is not only art but also a part of most people's life. Since ancient times music was accompanied by a man, was for him a more natural necks and necessary form of expression. Folk music was not created for the hearing, she lived in Action: The game ritual in the procession, in their work. It is because music does not start in the folklore was separated from the dance, movement, gestures, cries, facial expressions. This feature of popular culture and explains an amazing variety of genres of song and instrumental folklore.
Every nation has its songs connected with work. As a rule, the melody and rhythm in their organically linked to the nature of work, and in turn themselves influenced by the work process, organizing it and giving it a certain rhythm. These are the work songs of the forest rafters, fishermen and song signals, performed by field work. The Latvians have pastoral songs with their characteristic "jubilation" or "calling."
People's life has always been inseparable from nature, is subject to its rhythm, the seasons. The transition from the winter sun in the summer, late winter and early spring, flowering plants - all of it was celebrated.
The song chorus, tune and dance - are constant participants of collective celebrations, many rituals and customs, especially widely prevailed for several centuries ago and going back to ancient times.
Wedding ceremony - the most favorite people - the best preserved to this day. Of course, music plays a huge role. Lamentations determined the character of the first part of the ceremony: the bride's stepfather said goodbye to the house, her friends. The second part of the ceremony - merry wedding feast, and the songs were different: styled young, their parents, were humorous and glorification of a matchmaker and matchmaker. There were dances, group and solo, and the Estonians - and wedding dances.