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Mexican Easter Custom


THEY'D PRESERVE THE EGG SHELLS AS WHOLE AS POSSIBLE. THEN THE
SHELLS WERE DRIED, COLORED OR DYED. PAPER CUT UP INTO MINIATURE
PIECES OF ALL SHAPES AND COLORS WERE THEN PUT INTO THE SHELLS.
THE OPEN END OF THE EGG WAS SEALED WITH PAPER OR TAPE. NOW THE
EGGS WERE READY TO BE USED AS A FUN-PIECE AT AN EASTER PARTY.
THE EGGS WERE CRACKED OVER EACH OTHER'S HEAD WHEN THE PERSON
WAS CAUGHT OFF GUARD. ALL THE PAPER PIECES WOULD THEN FLY ALL
OVER AND EVERYONE WOULD LAUGH AND CLAP.

Submitter comment:

[INFORMANT] SAID THAT SHE AND THE OTHER 9 OR 10 MEMBERS
OF HER FAMILY LOOKED FORWARD TO THIS FUN EVERY EASTER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; HOLY CROSS HOSPITAL ; 48234

Keyword(s): GAME

Subject headings: Favorites
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter eggs

Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

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THE BREAKING OF EASTER EGGS

THERE IS A CUSTOM AMONG UKRAINIANS WHICH CONSISTS OF HITTING
TOGETHER TWO PAINTED EASTER EGGS BY TWO PEOPLE. THE PERSON
WHOSE EGG DOES NOT BREAK WILL HAVE GOD'S BLESSING.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): GAME

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter eggs
BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance

Date learned: 11-02-1969

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EGG GAME

DURING THE EASTER RITUAL OF EATING THE BLESSED FOOD TAKEN TO THE
CHURCH, THE HARD BOILED EGGS ARE SMASHED. THE ONE WHOSE EGG
SMASHES LAST IS THE WINNER.

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): GAME

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter eggs

Date learned: 11-02-1969

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EASTER EGG FIGHTS

A CUSTOM THE ARMENIANS HAVE AND AS FAR AS I KNOW ARE THE ONLY ONES
THAT DO IS THE EASTER EGG FIGHTS. WE BOIL AND COLOR OUR EGGS JUST
LIKE EVERYONE ELSE, BUT WE ALSO SEE WHO HAS THE STRONGEST EGG BY
HITTING THE POINTED ENDS OF THE EGGS TOGETHER. THE ONE WHOSE EGG
BREAKS IS THE LOSER. I AM ALSO TOLD THAT WHEN I WAS YOUNG OLDER
MEN LIKE MY GRANDFATHER WOULD MEET ON EASTER AND WAGER DOZENS AND
CASES OF EGGS ON A SINGLE MATCH.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; WALSH COLLEGE ; CAMPUS

Keyword(s): GAME

Subject headings: Favorites
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter eggs

Date learned: 03-21-1970

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EASTER EGG TRADITION

AS LONG AS I CAN REMEMBER, WE USED TO RECEIVE EASTER EGG BASKETS
FULL OF EGGS AND CHOCOLATE. THE CHILDREN WOULD BANG THE HEAVY
END AGAINST EACH OTHER'S EGG AND IF YOU CRACKED THE OPPONENT'S EGG,
IT WAS YOURS TO KEEP. SOME OF US WOULD EVEN DRAIN ONE EGG AND STUFF
IT WITH A HEAVY MATERIAL SUCH AS SAND OR BRICK MORTAR. IN THIS WAY,
OUR SHELL WOULD NOT BREAK AND YOU COULD WIN ALL THE OTHER EGGS.
HOWEVER, SOMEONE ALWAYS BECAME AWARE OF THIS AND YOU WOULD BE
CAUGHT RED-HANDED.

Data entry tech comment:

Informant and collector are the same person. He recalls doing this in the late 1940s.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): GAME

Subject headings: Favorites
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter eggs
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter baskets

Date learned: 00001940S LATE

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EGG CRACKING CONTEST

WE HAVE A CUSTOM IN OUR FAMILY CALLED THE EGG-CRACKING CONTEST.
EVERY EASTER SUNDAY MY UNCLE AND HIS FAMILY WOULD HOLD THIS CONTEST.
THE CONTEST WOULD DETERMINE WHICH PERSON HAD THE HARDEST OR STRONGEST
HARD-BOILED EGG. (THIS CONTEST USED TO BE HELD AT MY GRANDFATHER'S
HOUSE BUT HE PASSED AWAY ABOUT TEN YEARS AGO.) THE CONTEST STARTS
OUT WITH THE PLAYERS HITTING AND CRACKING
COLORED EGGS AT THE POINT OR SHARP
END OF THE EGG. THE WINNER OF A SKIRMISH IS THE PERSON WHOSE
EGG DOESN'T CRACK. THE LOSER MUST GIVE HIS CRACKED EGG TO THE
WINNER AND TRY AGAIN. THE COMPETITION TAKES PLACE IN THE LIVING
ROOM AND MANY CHALLENGES ARE MADE TO THE OWNER OF A WINNING EGG. THE
GAME CONTINUES UNTIL ONLY ONE EGG IS LEFT UNCRACKED. THIS EGG IS
THE WINNER. THE OWNER OF THIS EGG IS THE WINNER AND USUALLY GETS
THE PRIZE OF ONE DOLLAR. WHEN A "POINTS" WINNER IS DETERMINED,
THE GAME BEGINS OVER AGAIN. THIS TIME THE BOTTOM OR FLATTER PART OF
THE EGG IS USED. A "BUTTS" CHAMPION IS REWARDED WITH A DOLLAR
ALSO.

Data entry tech comment:

Informant and collector are the same person.

 

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 15447 OAKFIELD ; 48227

Keyword(s): GAME

Subject headings: Favorites
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter eggs
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday

Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

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HOLY WEEK CUSTOM

ON EASTER SUNDAY EACH PERSON TAKES AN EASTER EGG THAT HE PARTICULARLY
LIKES. THEN HE AND ANOTHER PERSON MAKE A WISH. THEY THEN HIT THE
EGGS TOGETHER AND THE EGG THAT IS NOT CRACKED WILL GRANT THE WISH
OF THE HOLDER.

Data entry tech comment:

Informant and collector share same surname.

Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON

Keyword(s): GAME

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter eggs
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday
BELIEF -- Prayer
BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance

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AFTER EASTER SERVICES ALL GREET EACH OTHER WITH COLORED EGGS. EACH
PERSON TRIES TO BREAK THE OTHER'S EGG BY TAPPING THE TOP OF THE EGG.
THE PERSON WHO BREAKS THE EGG GETS TO KEEP BOTH EGGS.

Submitter comment:

INFORMANT SAID THAT THIS IS A POPULAR ROMANIAN EASTER CHILDREN'S
GAME ALTHOUGH ADULTS ARE KNOWN TO PLAY IT. INFORMANT SAID SHE
ACTUALLY LOOKS FORWARD TO PLAYING IT EACH EASTER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 10438 BONITA ; informant's home

Keyword(s): GAME

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter eggs
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday

Date learned: 10-20-1971

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POLISH ( ITALIAN ) EASTER CUSTOM

ON EASTER, WHEN ITALIAN PEOPLE GO VISITING, THEY EACH TAKE A
HARD-BOILED EGG AND TRY TO CRACK THE SHELL OF EACH OTHER'S EGG. THE
PERSON WHO CRACKED THE SHELL OF ANOTHER PERSON'S EGG FIRST IS THE
WINNER, AND THE PERSON WHOSE SHELL IS CRACKED FIRST IS THE LOSER.

Submitter comment:

THIS IS A NORTHERN ITALIAN CUSTOM WHICH SHE LEARNED WHEN SHE WAS
A CHILD.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CARPOOL ; EAST SIDE

Keyword(s): GAME

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter eggs
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday

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EASTER-EGG FIGHTS

ON EASTER, IT IS CUSTOMARY TO HAVE EASTER-EGG FIGHTS TO SEE WHO
HAS THE "CHAMPION" EGG. ONE PERSON HOLDS AN EGG WHILE ANOTHER TRIES
TO CRACK IT BY STRIKING THE EGG WITH ANOTHER EGG. THE WEAKER
EGG BREAKS, THUS MAKING THE STRONGER EGG THE WINNER.

Data entry tech comment:

Informant and collector are the same person.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 10859 BALFOUR ; 48224

Keyword(s): GAME

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter eggs
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday

Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

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CUSTOM

WE HAD AN EASTER GAME WITH EGGS. YOU COULD WIN A LOT OF EGGS. YOU
WOULD FACE YOUR OPPONENT AND HE HAD AN EGG AND YOU HAD AN EGG. YOU
WOULD HIT THE OPPONENT'S EGG. IF YOU SMASHED HIS BUT
YOURS WAS [INTACT] THE EGG WAS YOURS AND VICE VERSA.

Data entry tech comment:

Informant and collector are possibly the same person.

Where learned: RESIDENCE

Keyword(s): GAME

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter eggs

Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

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EVERY EASTER WE WOULD HAVE AN EGG HUNT. THE OLDER ADULTS WOULD HIDE
THE EGGS. THE FOLKS ALL THE WAY FROM TOTS TO YOUNG ADULTS WOULD
HUNT. THEY DIVIDED UP INTO THREE GROUPS OF DIFFERENT AGES. THE
GROUP WITH THE MOST EGGS WON A PRIZE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALLEN PARK

Keyword(s): GAME

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter eggs
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday

Date learned: 02-07-1972

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EASTER CUSTOM, CHAMBER OF COMMERCE (APPLETON)

EACH YEAR ON EASTER SUNDAY, THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF APPLETON,
WISCONSIN, SPONSORS AN EASTER EGG HUNT FOR THE CHILDREN OF THE CITY.
THE FINDINGS OF SPECIALLY MARKED EGGS ARE REWARDED WITH A SMALL,
LIVE RABBIT. THE ANNUAL AFFAIR IS HELD IN THE MAIN CITY PARK.

Submitter comment:

THE INFORMANT PERSONALLY WITNESSED THE EVENT.

 

Data entry tech comment:

Informant and collector are the same person.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): GAME

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter eggs
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday

Date learned: 10-04-1967

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EASTER GAME

IN BOSTON, AT EASTER TIME, EGGS ARE PUT IN THE CENTER OF THE TABLE,
ALL BEING HARD-BOILED EXCEPT ONE. PEOPLE THEN TAKE TURNS GOING
AROUND THE ROOM AND RUBBING THE EGG ON EVERYONE'S HEAD WHILE SAYING,
"THIS DOG COMES HOME", UNTIL FINALLY ONE EGG (THE RAW ONE) BREAKS ON SOME
POOR INDIVIDUAL'S HEAD, WHO RISES AND SAYS, "THIS DOG DOESN'T COME
HOME".

Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

Keyword(s): GAME

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter eggs

Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

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SCOTTISH CUSTOM

AT EASTER IT IS THE SCOTTISH CUSTOM TO ROLL COLORED EASTER EGGS
IN AN EGG RACE. THIS IS AN EASTER HOLIDAY AMUSEMENT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): GAME

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter eggs

Date learned: 03-20-1968

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ITS GOOD LUCK IF A FROG PISSES ON YOU WHEN YOU PICK HIM UP.

Where learned: MISSOURI ; AGENCY

Keyword(s): URINATION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Animal
BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance

Date learned: CA00001967

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IF YOU HAVE LITTLE WHITE MARKS UNDER YOUR FINGERNAILS, EACH ONE
SIGNIFIES A WHITE LIE.

Where learned: MISSOURI ; SAINT JOSEPH

Keyword(s): LYING

Subject headings: Spirit / Mind / Body
BELIEF -- Body part Senses
BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal
BELIEF -- Sign Color

Date learned: 10-05-1976

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INDEX OF TAPE 750002 SIDE B

BROOM
LUCK
THE NUMBER 9 AND 3
OMEN
DREAMS
THROWING TEETH AND BURYING TEETH TO MAKE THEM GROW
LEFT AND RIGHT
LENGTH OF TOES AS OMENS OF PARENTS' DEATH
FINGERS THAT RINGS ARE WORN ON
WIZARDS
BLACK CAT
ONOMATOPOETIC
FLOATING THE WATER LILY FESTIVAL, SEPTEMBER 22 OF EVERY YEAR

Where learned: THAILAND

Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC FOR TEETH AND TOES

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- September 22
ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Dress HandsFeet
BELIEF -- Witch Shaman
BELIEF -- Body part Senses
BELIEF -- Mammal
BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness
SPEECH -- Onomatopoeia

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ST. AGNES EVE, JAN. 20

ON THE EVE OF ST. AGNES' DAY, A GIRL SHOULD GET A HANDKERCHIEF FROM
HER BOYFRIEND. SHE SHOULD PUT IT UNDER HER PILLOW AND SHE WILL DREAM
IF SHE WILL MARRY HIM OR NOT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): CONTAGIOUS MAGIC

Subject headings: Spirit / Mind / Body
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 20
BELIEF -- Marriage

Date learned: 02-00-1968

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ST. BRIGID'S DAY

FEBRUARY 1 IN IRELAND IS ST. BRIGID'S DAY. THAT NIGHT, THE "BIDDY
BOYS" GO ROUND FROM FARM HOUSE TO FARM HOUSE, WEARING MASKS AND
SINGING SONGS. AFTER THEIR SONGS, THEY ASK "THE WOMAN OF THE
HOUSE" FOR MONEY. ON THE FOLLOWING NIGHT AT THE LOCAL DANCE HALL,
THERE IS A BIDDY BALL, AND ALL THE GIRLS WEAR MASKS. THE LAST GIRL
TO BE IDENTIFIED IS CALLED THE BIDDY GIRL--A REAL COMPLIMENT TO HER
FEMININE VANITY. ( A COUNTY KERRY CUSTOM ONLY. )

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): BEGGING ; MUMMING

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- February 1

Date learned: 11-00-1970

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