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IN BELGIUM CHRISTMAS GIFTS ARE EXCHANGED ON DECEMBER 6.
THE CELEBRATION OF CHRISTMAS IS STILL ON DECEMBER 25,
BUT NO GIFTS ARE EXCHANGED.

Submitter comment:

INFORMANT SAID THIS CUSTOM STILL PREVAILS TODAY.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BELGIUM ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES

Keyword(s): Belgium ; Celebration ; CHRISTMAS ; Gifts, Exchange ; holiday ; Nick ; Saint ; ST. NICHOLAS

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 6 Feast of St. Nicholas

Date learned: 02-20-1972

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AT SIENA HEIGHTS COLLEGE, IN ADRIAN, MICHIGAN, THE STUDENTS
WOULD PUT THEIR SHOES OUTSIDE THE DOOR OF THEIR ROOM
ON DECEMBER 6, AND THE NEXT MORNING THERE WOULD BE AN
APPLE AND SOME CANDY IN THEIR SHOES.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; ADRIAN

Keyword(s): Apples ; CANDY ; Celebrate ; CUSTOM ; FOOD ; holiday ; Nick ; Saint ; SHOES ; ST. NICHOLAS

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 6 Feast of St. Nicholas

Date learned: 10-22-1968

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ST. NICHOLAS' HELPER

ON DECEMBER 6, ST. NICHOLAS DAY, IN BELGIUM, ST.
NICHOLAS VISITS EACH SCHOOL DRESSED AS A BISHOP.
HE WAS ACCOMPANIED BY A HELPER WHO WAS DRESSED IN BLACK
CARRYING AN EMPTY SACK AND A BIG STICK. THE CHILDREN
WERE TERRIFIED OF THE HELPER, FOR IF THEY WERE NOT
GOOD, THE HELPER WOULD PUT THEM INTO THE SACK AND ALL
THEY WILL GET IS COAL AS A PRESENT ON ST. NICHOLAS DAY.
SO GREAT WAS THIS FEAR, THAT A NEWSPAPER ARTICLE DURING
THE PAST YEAR IN LIEGE STATED THAT TWO BOYS RAN AWAY FROM
SCHOOL SO THAT THE HELPER WOULDN'T GET THEM.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; BELGIUM ; PITTSBURGH

Keyword(s): Celebrate ; CUSTOM ; Helper ; holiday ; Nicholas ; Saint ; St. Nick

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 6 Feast of St. Nicholas

Date learned: 11-01-1970

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SANTA CLAUS CAME ON THE 9TH OF DECEMBER AND BROUGHT GIFTS
TO THE CHILDREN. CHRISTMAS WAS STRICTLY A RELIGIOUS
AFFAIR. THE PEOPLE HAD NO CHRISTMAS TREES IN THEIR HOMES
ONLY IN THE CHURCH. THE NEIGHBORS WOULD GET TOGETHER
AND BAKE PANCAKES. AND THERE WAS ALWAYS GIN INVOLVED;
THAT'S THE NATIONAL DRINK.

Submitter comment:

MR. VALKEN WASN'T SURE ABOUT THE DATE OF SANTA CLAUS
COMING, BUT THOUGHT THAT THE 9TH OF DECEMBER WAS CLOSE.
HE COULD BE REFERRING TO ST. NICHOLAS DAY THE 6TH.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): Celebrate ; CUSTOM ; holiday ; Nicholas ; Saint ; St. Nick

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F120
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 6 Feast of St. Nicholas

Date learned: 10-20-1971

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OUR FAMILY CELEBRATES ST. NICHOLAS DAY ON DECEMBER 6.
ST. NICHOLAS THROWS A BAG FULL OF FRUITS, NUTS AND
CANDY INTO OUR LIVING ROOM ON DECEMBER 6 EVE, IF WE
HAVE BEEN GOOD CHILDREN.
WE GO TO MASS ST. NICHOLAS DAY MORNING. WE LEAVE
THE FRONT AND BACK DOOR OPEN ALL DAY AND EVENING.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): Celebrate ; CUSTOM ; holiday ; Nicholas ; Saint ; St. Nick

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F120
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 6 Feast of St. Nicholas

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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PIE PLATE GAME

THIS WAS PLAYED ON THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS EVE.
THEY TOOK A PIE PLATE AND A PERSON WOULD SPIN
IT AND SOMEONE ELSE HAD TO GET IT BEFORE IT STOPPED
SPINNING. IT WAS WILD!

Submitter comment:

HER HUSBAND'S FAMILY PLAYED THIS.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): CUSTOM ; GAME ; holiday ; tradition

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Autumn Fall Harvest Thanksgiving

Date learned: 04-15-1967

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CHRISTMAS EVE CUSTOM

THE ITALIANS NEVER DO DISHES AFTER CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: NOT GIVEN

Keyword(s): CUSTOM ; FOOD ; holiday ; Italian

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Christmas
Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Night mealsSupper

Date learned: 11-17-1968

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CUSTOM

THE TIME WHEN CHRISTMAS IS HELD (DECEMBER 25) IS ACTUALLY TAKEN
FROM OLDER NATURE RELIGIONS WHICH VENERATED THE WINTER SOLSTICE
(DECEMBER 22). THE UNDERLYING THEORY OF THESE FESTIVALS WAS THAT
AFTER THE 22ND OF DECEMBER THE POWER OF THE SUN AND GOOD FORCES
ASSOCIATED WITH IT BEGAN TO INCREASE--HENCE THE NIGHTS GOT NO LONGER,
BUT RATHER BEGAN TO GET SHORTER. THUS THE TIME WAS MOST APPROPRIATE
FOR CELEBRATING THE "BIRTH" OF A GREAT "WHITE" POWER.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: WALES ; ABERYSTWYTH

Keyword(s): Celebration ; CUSTOM ; FESTIVAL ; holiday ; Solstice

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20

Date learned: 04-00-1972

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CHRISTMAS

ON CHRISTMAS DAY, STRAW OR HAY IS PUT ON THE TABLE AND COVERED WITH
A TABLE CLOTH. THIS IS TO SIGNIFY THE STRAW USED IN THE MANGER
FOR THE BABY JESUS.

Submitter comment:

THIS IS A POPULAR CUSTOM IN POLAND AND IN POLISH COMMUNITIES IN
THE U.S.A.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: DETROIT

Keyword(s): Celebration ; CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; holiday ; tradition

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F122
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Table setting and clearing
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Straw

Date learned: 04-03-1979

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FORMING MICHIGAN

ONE DAY THE INDIAN GOD WAS DRAWING THE VARIOUS LANDS ON THE GLOBE.
AND AS HE WAS TRACING ALONG, HE HAD TO LEAN ON THE LAND WITH HIS
OTHER HAND FOR SUPPORT. WELL, WHEN HE GOT DONE DRAWING AND HE
STOOD BACK TO LOOK AT HIS WORK, HE FOUND THAT HE HAD MADE A BIG
HAND PRINT RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE LAND. WELL, THAT HAND PRINT
IS NOW THE STATE OF MICHIGAN.

Submitter comment:

THIS LEGEND WAS TOLD TO MY SISTER ONE DAY IN SCHOOL.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Lansing ; 2819 TULANE DR

Keyword(s): CREATION ; ETYMOLOGY ; GEOGRAPHY ; INDIAN ; Legend ; Lore ; MICHIGAN ; Native American ; Origin

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Creation and Order of Universe
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formation
BELIEF -- Creator

Date learned: 11-01-1968

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FORMING MICHIGAN

ONE DAY THE INDIAN GOD WAS DRAWING THE VARIOUS LANDS ON THE GLOBE.
AND AS HE WAS TRACING ALONG, HE HAD TO LEAN ON THE LAND WITH HIS
OTHER HAND FOR SUPPORT. WELL, WHEN HE GOT DONE DRAWING AND HE
STOOD BACK TO LOOK AT HIS WORK, HE FOUND THAT HE HAD MADE A BIG
HAND PRINT RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE LAND. WELL, THAT HAND PRINT
IS NOW THE STATE OF MICHIGAN.

Submitter comment:

THIS LEGEND WAS TOLD TO MY SISTER ONE DAY IN SCHOOL.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Lansing ; 2819 TULANE DR

Keyword(s): CREATION ; ETYMOLOGY ; GEOGRAPHY ; INDIAN ; Legend ; Lore ; MICHIGAN ; Native American ; Origin

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Creation and Order of Universe
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formation
BELIEF -- Creator

Date learned: 11-01-1968

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FORMING MICHIGAN

ONE DAY THE INDIAN GOD WAS DRAWING THE VARIOUS LANDS ON THE GLOBE.
AND AS HE WAS TRACING ALONG, HE HAD TO LEAN ON THE LAND WITH HIS
OTHER HAND FOR SUPPORT. WELL, WHEN HE GOT DONE DRAWING AND HE
STOOD BACK TO LOOK AT HIS WORK, HE FOUND THAT HE HAD MADE A BIG
HAND PRINT RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE LAND. WELL, THAT HAND PRINT
IS NOW THE STATE OF MICHIGAN.

Submitter comment:

THIS LEGEND WAS TOLD TO MY SISTER ONE DAY IN SCHOOL.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Lansing ; 2819 TULANE DR

Keyword(s): CREATION ; ETYMOLOGY ; GEOGRAPHY ; INDIAN ; Legend ; Lore ; MICHIGAN ; Native American ; Origin

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Creation and Order of Universe
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formation
BELIEF -- Creator

Date learned: 11-01-1968

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VEGETABLES BELIEF

EAT VEGETABLES AND YOU WILL SLEEP LESS BUT WILL FEEL BETTER.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Consume ; CUSTOM ; Eat ; Old Wives Tale ; SLEEP ; SUPERSTITION ; VEGETABLE

James Callow Keyword(s): PLANT

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Plant

Date learned: 11-02-1971

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Chinese custom

Howson (a Chinese mourning period) lasts for 49 days. A white
flower made of yarn is worn by the daughters in their hair and
a black band is worn by the sons around the arm during this
period.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: CHINA

Keyword(s): China ; Chinese ; CUSTOM ; FLOWER ; Mourning ; SYMBOL ; White

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial
BELIEF -- Color
BELIEF -- Number P686.1.49

Date learned: 00-00-1955

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SAINT SANGENNARO

THE ROCK, ON WHICH ST. SANGENNARO WAS BEHEADED, IS KEPT IN A GLASS
CASE IN THE CHURCH NAMED AFTER HIM IN NAPLES, ITALY. EVERY SPRING AN
AUTUMN THE BLOOD ON THE ROCK LIQUIFIES. IF IT FAILS TO LIQUIFY IT
PORTENDS A DISASTER. IT FAILED TO LIQUIFY BEFORE WORLD WAR 1 ,
WORLD WAR 2, AND THE KOREAN WAR. IT ALSO DIDN'T LIQUIFY IN 1963, THE
YEAR THAT THE INFORMANT SAW IT.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: HOME

Keyword(s): BLOOD ; HISTORICAL ; OMEN ; Portent ; RELIGION ; Rock ; Saint Sangennaro ; SIGN ; SYMBOL

Subject headings: Observation
Favorites
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero

Date learned: 11-23-1968 ; 00-00-1963

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IF THE SUN SHINES WHILE IT IS RAINING, THE DEVIL IS BEATING
HIS WIFE.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE

Keyword(s): DEVIL ; Domestic Violence ; METAPHOR ; WEATHER

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Devil Demon
BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew

Date learned: 06-15-1972

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"Ka zoon tight" is a word used to scare away bad spirits,
because when you sneeze you open up your body to bad spirits.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: DETROIT

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; ETYMOLOGY ; Origin ; SNEEZE

James Callow Keyword(s): Gesundheit

Subject headings: Favorites
BELIEF -- Devil Demon
SPEECH -- Formula

Date learned: 00001960S

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SUPERSTITION

ON YOUR WEDDING DAY YOU MUST HAVE A PAIR OF PENNY LOAFERS
WITH A PENNY IN THEM, WITH THE DATE OF YOUR BIRTH ON IT.
THIS WILL BRING GOOD LUCK ON THE HONEYMOON

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK

Keyword(s): GOOD LUCK ; MARRIAGE ; OMEN ; Penny ; SUPERSTITION ; SYMBOL ; WEDDING

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Marriage Penny in shoe
BELIEF -- Good luck P881.41

Date learned: 02-00-1979

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CHRISTMAS CUSTOM

IF THE FIRST PERSON TO COME THROUGH THE DOOR OF YOUR HOUSE ON
CHRISTMAS EVE IS A DARK HAIRED MAN YOU WILL HAVE GOOD LUCK IN THE
YEAR TO COME.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; CHRISTMAS ; COLOR ; GOOD LUCK ; HAIR ; holiday ; LUCK ; Man ; OMEN ; SYMBOL

James Callow Keyword(s): FIRST FOOTING

Subject headings: 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually.
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20
BELIEF -- Good luck P881.42

Date learned: 00001930S

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Long Johns (long underwear)

Long underwear is worn the winter months under your clothes
to protect you from the cold.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): CLOTHING ; Cold ; Fashion ; Layers ; Warmth ; WINTER

Subject headings: ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Dress Lower body and legs

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