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NEW YEAR'S EVE

IF A STRANGER ENTERS YOUR HOUSE THROUGH THE
BACK DOOR ON NEW YEAR'S EVE YOU'LL HAVE BAD LUCK ALL YEAR.

Submitter comment:

NOT BELIEVED

Data entry tech comment:

Informant and collector share the same surname.

Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

Keyword(s): DIRECTION ; FIRST FOOTING ; LOCATION ; POSITION

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Fixed DateFor specific dates, use the following system: F640.0101
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Measure of time Year
BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.42

Date learned: 00-00-1968

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NEW YEAR'S CUSTOM

IF YOU LAY A BROOM ACROSS THE DOOR-WAY,
THE FIRST PERSON TO PICK IT UP AND GIVE IT
TO YOU WILL BE AN ENEMY OF YOURS THAT YEAR.

Submitter comment:

LEARNED FROM GRANDMOTHER

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): FIRST FOOTING

Subject headings: 686 686.1
Favorites
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Fixed DateFor specific dates, use the following system: F640.0101
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20
BELIEF -- Measure of time Year

Date learned: 12-06-1967

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GOOD LUCK NUT

NUTS ARE PLACED IN DISHES AS PART OF THE CHRISTMAS FEAST CELEBRATION
IN BULGARIA. EVERYONE IN THE HOUSEHOLD RETAINS ONE TO BE SAVED
UNTIL NEW YEARS DAY. EVERYONE THEN BREAKS OPEN THEIR NUT AND THE
CONDITION OF THE INTERIOR INDICATES THE OWNER'S FUTURE FOR THE
COMING YEAR. A SOUND NUT MEAT INDICATES PROSPERITY FOR ITS OWNER,
WHILE A ROTTEN INTERIOR SAYS THE COMING YEAR WILL NOT BE GOOD FOR
ITS OWNER.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT REMEMBERS THIS AS A COMMON PRACTICE OF HIS FAMILY IN
BULGARIA.

Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD AT HENDRICKSONS PHARMACY ; 15947 W 7 MILE

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM ; PREDICTION

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Single dishes
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Predictions

Date learned: 03-21-1970

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IT IS A UKRAINIAN CUSTOM TO MIX POPPIES AND WHEAT TOGETHER AT
CHRISTMAS TIME. THEN TAKE THE MIXTURE IN A SPOON AND THROW IT IN THE
AIR AND TRY TO CATCH IT. IF YOU CATCH IT, YOU WILL HAVE GOOD LUCK.

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; NORTH QUAD ; DORMS ; TOLD IN

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM ; PREDICTION

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Predictions
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Single dishes
BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance

Date learned: 02-07-1971

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IN AN IRISH CHRISTMAS CAKE THERE IS ALWAYS PLACED A GOLD RING SO THAT
WHOEVER EATS THE PIECE OF CAKE AND FINDS THE GOLD RING WILL BE
MARRIED WITHIN THE NEXT YEAR.

Submitter comment: I HEARD THIS FROM MY IRISH LANDLADY AT CHRISTMAS TIME OF 1970. I
DON'T THINK SHE REALLY BELIEVED IT WOULD HAPPEN.

Where learned: NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM ; MARRIAGE PREDICTION

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Predictions
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Single dishes
BELIEF -- Use of Object

Date learned: 12-00-1970

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POLISH CHRISTMAS CUSTOM

THE DINNER CONSISTS OF THIRTEEN COURSES, ALL OF WHICH ARE MEATLESS.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

James Callow comment:

Christmas Day?

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; STUDENT UNION BUILDING ; ROOM 210

Keyword(s): ABSTINENCE FROM MEAT ; CHRISTMAS ; Course ; CUSTOM ; Dinner ; FOOD CUSTOM ; holiday ; Ingredients ; Meal ; Vegetarian

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

Date learned: 11-25-1969

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CHRISTMAS FOOD

IT IS A SLOVAK CUSTOM TO EAT CHRISTMAS FOOD IN THIS ORDER:
FIRST, UNLEAVENED BREAD DIPPED IN HONEY; SECOND, SOUR MUSHROOM AND
THIRD; HOME-MADE BREAD BALLS MIXED WITH POPPY-SEED, MILK AND HONEY.
THIS IS TO SYMBOLIZE THE SOUR AND SWEET IN LIFE.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): ; CHRISTMAS ; Course ; CUSTOM ; Dish ; FOOD ; FOOD CUSTOM ; holiday ; RECIPE ; Slovak

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

Date learned: 03-00-1970

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CHRISTMAS FOOD

IN LEBANON, THE TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS FOOD FOR THOSE WHO CAN AFFORD
IT, IS A TURKEY DINNER.

Submitter comment:

(SOUNDS FAMILIAR)

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MARYGROVE COLLEGE ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; FOOD ; FOOD CUSTOM ; holiday ; Lebanese ; Turkey

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

Date learned: 00001968 FALL

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EVIL AVERTING CUSTOM

"AT CHRISTMAS TIME, IT IS A CUSTOM IN GERMANY TO HAVE DUCK AND
SAUERKRAUT, SOME STOLLEN--WHICH IS A FRUIT AND NUT COFFEE CAKE, AND
SOME BEER TO DRINK WHILE SONGS ARE SUNG. WHEN YOU DO THIS,
YOUR FAMILY WILL HAVE GOOD HEALTH AND HAPPINESS ALL YEAR."

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD

Keyword(s): CHRISTMAS ; DRINK ; EVIL ; FOOD ; FOOD CUSTOM ; GERMAN ; Germany ; holiday ; LUCK ; LUCK ; tradition

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

Date learned: 02-04-1968

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CHRISTMAS CUSTOM

IT IS CUSTOMARY, AS A FAMILY PRACTICE, TO RAISE A GOOSE AND
TAKE CARE AND FEED IT SO THAT BY CHRISTMAS IT IS READY TO BE
KILLED AND EATEN AS A SYMBOL OF BOUNTY.

Submitter comment:

(HUNGARIAN)

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: HOME ; DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; 4816 ST LAWRENCE

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

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

Date learned: 11-19-1969

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SWEDISH CHRISTMAS CUSTOM

AT CHRISTMAS TIME THE SWEDES PUT ONE ALMOND IN RICE PUDDING. THE
PERSON WHO GETS THIS ALMOND IS SAID TO HAVE GOOD LUCK
IN THE COMING YEAR.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

Keyword(s): CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; FOOD ; holiday ; LUCK ; Swedish

Subject headings: 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually.
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Predictions
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Single dishes

Date learned: 11-00-1968

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CHRISTMAS TREAT

MANY YEARS AGO, MY GRANDMOTHER'S FAMILY SERVED
APPLES (RUSSET APPLES) AT CHRISTMAS TIME TO GUESTS.
THAT WAS THE ONLY TIME THEY HAD RUSSET APPLES. THE CHILDREN
WOULD RECEIVE ORANGES IN THEIR STOCKINGS. THIS WAS
THE ONLY TIME OF YEAR THAT THEY HAD ORANGES SO THEY
WERE A REAL TREAT.

Where learned: TOLD AT HOME

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM

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

Date learned: 03-31-1971

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CHRISTMAS - FOOD, DRINK

IN UKRAINE, IT IS CUSTOMARY TO
EAT BOILED WHEAT MIXED WITH
HONEY AND POPPY SEEDS DURING
CHRISTMAS.

Submitter comment:

INFORMANT RECEIVED INFORMATION PASSED ON BY RELATIVES IN UKRAINE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM

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

Date learned: 10-04-1967

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CHRISTMAS PARTY

LAST CHRISTMAS, WHEN I WAS AT A FRIEND'S HOUSE FOR A CHRISTMAS
PARTY, THEY HAD A CELEBRATION IN WHICH EVERYBODY IN THE HOUSE WAS
GIVEN A PIECE OF BREAD, LIKE MOTZA. EACH PERSON WOULD BREAK OFF A
PIECE OF BREAD AND PUT IT IN ANOTHER'S MOUTH AND, IF IT WAS A GIRL,
WOULD PROCEED TO KISS THE GIRL OR IF IT WERE A MAN HE WOULD SHAKE
HANDS.

Data entry tech comment:

Informant and collector are the same person.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM

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

Date learned: 11-18-1968

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BREAKING OF BREAD

DURING CHRISTMAS, BEFORE DINNER, THE FAMILIES GATHER TOGETHER AND
EACH MEMBER HAS A PIECE OF "ANGEL BREAD" (UNLEAVENED BREAD).
THEN EACH MEMBER BREAKS A PIECE OFF EACH OF THE OTHER MEMBER'S PIECE
OF "ANGEL BREAD" WHILE WISHING THEM THE BEST OF EVERYTHING FOR THAT
SEASON, FOLLOWED BY A KISS OR A HAND SHAKE. AFTER EVERYONE HAS
EXCHANGED, THE PIECES ARE EATEN.

Submitter comment:

IF A MEMBER IS OUT OF TOWN, THE OUT OF TOWNER SENDS A PIECE
OF "ANGEL BREAD" IN A GREETING CARD TO THE FAMILY FOR EXCHANGE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Oplatki
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Greetings, wishes, prayers, cards
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting

Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR.

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EXTRA INCOME

IN POLAND AT CHRISTMAS THE CHOIRMASTER BROUGHT THE RECTANGULAR
HOSTS TO EACH FAMILY. HE WAS ALLOWED TO DO THIS AS A WAY OF
SUPPLEMENTING HIS INCOME, WHICH WASN'T MUCH. EACH FAMILY WOULD GIVE
HIM A GIFT WHEN HE BROUGHT THE WAFER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM

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

Date learned: 00-00-1968

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A CHRISTMAS CUSTOM

AT CHRISTMAS TIME, THE FAMILY OBTAINS AN UNCONSECRATED HOST. THE
OLDEST MEMBER TAKES A BITE OF THE HOST AND WISHES A HAPPY NEW
YEAR. HE OR SHE KISSES THE NEXT OLDEST, AND THIS IS PASSED DOWN
THE LINE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; HOLDEN HALL ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM ; RELIGION

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

Date learned: 10-00-1967

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OPLATEK-UNLEAVENED BREAD

EACH PERSON TAKES A PIECE, THEN GOES
AROUND TO THE OTHERS BREAKING OFF A PIECE
OF THEIRS AND WISHES THEM GOOD LUCK,
HEALTH, AND HAPPINESS.

Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM

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

Date learned: 10-00-1968

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A POLISH CHRISTMAS

AT CHRISTMAS TIME EACH PERSON HAS AN UNCONSECRATED HOST WHICH IS
BROKEN IN HALF BY ANOTHER. AS THE PERSON BREAKS THE HOST,
THE ORIGINAL HOLDER OF THE HOST MAKES A WISH FOR THE ONE WHO
IS DOING THE BREAKING.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; HOLDEN HALL ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM ; RELIGION

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

Date learned: 10-00-1967

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CHRISTMAS CUSTOM

AT CHRISTMAS TIME, THE CHURCH ORGANIST OF ST. PETER & PAUL
SELLS A SMALL WAFER CALLED OPLATIKA. THEY ARE SQUARE
AND TASTE LIKE A COMMUNION TYPE HOST. AFTER MIDNIGHT MASS,
THE FAMILIES HAVE A DINNER AT WHICH EVERYONE IN THE FAMILY
BREAKS OFF A PIECE AND EATS IT.

Submitter comment:

[St. Peter & Paul is a] Roman Catholic [church.]

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; informant's home

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM ; ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH

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

Date learned: 11-02-1969

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