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Ethnic: Song/American Indian/Mardi Gras

THESE ARE THE WORDS TO THE SONG:
ME GOT FIRE CAN'T PUT IT OUT
ME FIRE WATER GONNA MAKE ME SHOUT.
I AM GOING DOWN AND GET MY SQUAW
ME MIGHT BUY GREAT BIG CAR.
I AM GONNA DO EVERYTHING I COULD
ME BIG CHIEF I'M FEELING GOOD.
ME BIG CHIEF I GOT 'EM TRIBE
GOT MY SQUAW RIGHT BY MY SIDE.
MY FLAG BOY HE JUST WENT BY
MY SPY BOY HE'S FULL OF FIRE
ME WHOLE TRIBE IS HAVING FUN
WE GONNA DANCE 'TIL THE MORNING COME

Submitter comment:

THE SONG 'BIG CHIEF' WAS WRITTEN BY A BLACK MAN NAMED
PROFESSOR LONG HAIR. HE WROTE THE SONG AROUND THE EARLY
1950'S. THIS SONG IS STRICTLY A MARDI GRAS TUNE. IT HAS
SURVIVED THROUGH THE YEARS AS ONE OF THE CLASSIC SONGS OF THE
MARDI GRAS SEASON. HE DID NOT BECOME RICH WITH THE SONG
BECAUSE IT IS ONLY UNDERSTOOD AND LOVED IN NEW ORLEANS
DURING THE MARDI GRAS SEASON. THE MAN IS PRESENTLY
WORKING ON THE RIVER FRONT WHARFS IN NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA
AT THE TIME OF HIS WRITING THE SONG, PROFESSOR LONG HAIR
WAS AN INDIAN CLUB MEMBER. HIS STORY IN THIS SONG IS
ALMOST THE SAME AS THAT OF THE OTHER INDIANS. HE SIMPLY
STATES WHAT HE IS GOING TO DO ON MARDI GRAS DAY AND
INVITES EVERYONE TO JOIN IN THE FUN WITH HIM.

Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans

James Callow Keyword(s): FIREWATER ; LIQUOR ; NEGRO COMPOSER, PROFESSOR LONG HAIR

Subject headings: 663 Mardi Gras
Favorites
Filter - Mature Content

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OLD IRISH CUSTOM

IRISH MOTHERS THROW HOLY WATER ON THEIR KIDS WHEN THEY ARE
FIGHTING IN ORDER TO DRIVE OUT THE DEVIL. THE THROWING OF HOLY WATER
WAS SUPPOSED TO BE AN EXORCISM TO DRIVE THE RAGE (DEVIL) OUT OF
PEOPLE WHO WERE FIGHTING.

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): HOSTILITY ; SPRINKLING HOLY WATER

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Devil Demon
BELIEF -- Water
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color
SPEECH -- Gesture

View just this record

PROVERB

I'M ON THE WAGON

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE

James Callow Keyword(s): MEANING: I'M NOT DRINKING ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ; WATER WAGON

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase

Date learned: 00-00-1964

View just this record

"FASCHING"

FASCHING IS A CARNIVAL LIKE A PARADE WHICH BEGINS ON THE 6TH
( SIXTH ) OF JANUARY UNTIL THE TUESDAY BEFORE ASH WEDNESDAY. THE
PEOPLE IN GERMANY DURING THE "FASCHING" PARADE IN COSTUMES OF ALL
KINDS AND HAVE MANY DECORATED FLOATS. ALSO A PRINCE AND PRINCESS
WHICH HAVE ALREADY BEEN CHOSEN FOR THIS OCCASION ON THE 11TH
( ELEVENTH ) OF NOVEMBER, APPEAR IN DANCES AROUND THE CITY. IN A
FEW PLACES THE PEOPLE WALK ON STILTS AND WEAR MASKS SO AS TO SCARE
THE EVIL SPIRITS OF LONG AGO. THE PEOPLE ENJOY THE MASQUERADES,
DANCES, AND FLOATS, WHICH COST THEM A GOOD SUM OF MONEY. THEREFORE,
ON ASH WEDNESDAY THE PEOPLE GO TO A WELL OR SPRING AND WASH
OUT THEIR PURSES BECAUSE THEY ARE EMPTY AFTER ALL THE EXPENSES OF
THE FASCHING.

Data entry tech comment: FASCHING MEANS RUNNING AROUND CRAZILY. (TRANSLATED FROM THE ANCIENT
GERMANIC WORD VASEN.)

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MARYGROVE COLLEGE ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): WATER

Subject headings: 663 Ash Wednesday
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F111
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Pre Lent

Date learned: 11-00-1970

View just this record

HOLY WATER

EVERYDAY IN MALTA DURING LENT THE VILLAGE PRIEST CAME TO SPRINKLE
THE DOOR-STOOP WITH HOLY WATER. AT THE SAME TIME THE HOUSEHOLDER
WAS TO SAY: "BEGONE" THREE TIMES AND SAY A ROSARY.

Data entry tech comment: THE POPULATION OF MALTA IS 100% ROMAN CATHOLIC.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; 1971 MORRELL ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): WATER

Subject headings: 663 Lent
BELIEF -- Prayer
BELIEF -- Number

Date learned: 10-00-1971

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EASTER:

PREPARATIONS FOR EASTER USUALLY BEGAN ON HOLY THURSDAY AND LASTED UP
TILL EASTER SUNDAY MORNING. THERE WAS CLEANING TO DO, BAKING,
COOKING, AND EGGS TO COLOR.
PEOPLE WERE REQUIRED TO GO TO MASS ON THURSDAY,
FRIDAY AND SATURDAY MORNINGS. ON SATURDAY AT MIDNIGHT THEY WERE ALSO
REQUIRED TO COME.
THE BAKING & COOKING STARTED OFF WITH "BABKA" - A POLISH KIND OF
BREAD; SWEET, WITH RAISINS. THIS WAS USUALLY EATEN WITH HONEY.
THERE WAS GOOSE, FISH, VEGETABLES - ALL KINDS OF FOOD IN HUGE
AMOUNTS. BUT WHAT EVERYONE ENJOYED MOST, WAS THE COLORING OF THE
EGGS.
BECAUSE LITHUANIANS ARE SO ARTISTIC, THEIR ART COMES OUT IN A SMALL
WAY ON THESE EGGS. THE PROCESS IS VERY SIMPLE: YOU TAKE A WAX
CANDLE, A PIN WITH A HEAD, AND A CLEAN, DRY, HARD-BOILED EGG. YOU
DIP THE PIN HEAD INTO THE MELTING WAX AND QUICKLY STROKE IT ONTO THE
EGG. WHEREVER THE WAX TOUCHES THE EGG, THE COLOR WILL NOT COVER IT
THERE. THERE ARE MANY MANY VARIOUS DESIGNS THAT YOU CAN CREATE
WITH THIS TYPE OF COLORING. AFTER THE WAX ON THE EGG IS DRY, YOU
DROP IT INTO COLD COLORS.
FOR A TWO COLOR, DUO-DESIGN EGG, IT IS JUST AS SIMPLE. THE EGG IS
WHITE FROM THE BEGINNING. YOU DRAW A DESIGN ON IT & DROP IT INTO
GREEN. YOU TAKE IT, PAT IT DRY VERY GENTLY AND THEN PROCEED WITH
ANOTHER DESIGN. YOU SIMPLY STROKE THE WAX ONTO THE GREEN PART OF THE
EGG & DROP IT INTO BLUE. LET'S SAY YOU KEEP IT IN FOR ONLY A FEW
MINUTES AND WHEN YOU TAKE IT: YOU HAVE A WHITE, GREEN & AQUA EGG.
THERE IS ANOTHER WAY OF COLORING EGGS, BUT MORE DIFFICULT. IT IS
HARDLY USED AT ALL TODAY, MY PARENTS NEVER USED IT, SO IT'S RATHER
HARD TO EXPLAIN. THE METHOD IS CARVING THE DESIGN RIGHT OUT ONTO THE
EGG. BUT SINCE I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO FIND A MOST INFORMATIVE SOURCE
FOR THIS METHOD, THIS IS ALL I CAN SAY 'BOUT ( ABOUT ) IT.
EASTER MORNING, OR SATURDAY AT MIDNIGHT, THE CHURCH IS DARK, WITH
ONLY ONE DIM LIGHT IN THE BACK OF THE CHURCH. AT MIDNIGHT, THE
CANDLES ARE LIT, THE PEOPLE BEGIN TO SING AS THE PRIEST TAKES THE
MONSTRANCE AROUND THE CHURCH SEVERAL TIMES IN A PROCESSION. IN FRONT
OF THE PRIEST, THERE ARE SEVERAL GIRLS THROWING ROSE PETALS AT HIS
FEET. AFTER THE PROCESSION IS FINISHED, HE SAYS A SHORT PRAYER FOR
EVERYONE, BLESSES THE PEOPLE WITH HOLY WATER AND MASS BEGINS.
ON EASTER IN THE AFTERNOON, THE CHILDREN GET TOGETHER AND CHALLENGE
EACH OTHER TO AN "EGG-CONTEST". THIS REALLY CONSISTS OF TWO PARTS,
BUT THE OBJECTIVE IS THE SAME: TRYING TO CRACK THE OTHER EGG. THE
FIRST PART WOULD BE WHERE THE CHALLENGED EGG WAS BEING HELD WITH THE
POINTED NOSE UP, AND THE CHALLENGER WOULD ATTEMPT TO CRACK IT. IF
THE CHALLENGER'S EGG CRACKED, HE WAS THE LOSER. BUT IF THE
CHALLENGED EGG WON, HE COULD HAVE A SECOND TRY TO SEE HOW FAR HIS EGG
WOULD ROLL & IF HE CAN CRACK HIS OPPONENT'S EGG THIS WAY. THE
ROLLING WAS USUALLY HELD ON A GRASSY PIECE OF LAND. THERE WOULD BE A
SLANTED BOARD, SIMILAR TO A SLIDE AND THE EGGS WOULD BE ROLLED FROM
THIS. IF THE CHALLENGER'S EGG DEVELOPED A SECOND CRACK FROM HIS
OPPONENT, HE WAS OUT.
THE KIDS IN LITHUANIA DIDN'T RECEIVE EASTER BASKETS. THEY RECEIVED
EGGS, BUT HAD TO HUNT ALL OVER THE FARM FOR THEM. AND TO SOME LUCKY
ONES, IT BROUGHT THEM THE SATISFACTION OF HAVING THE STRONGEST EGG IN
THE VILLAGE.

Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM ; GAME ; MUSIC ; WATER

Subject headings: 663 Holy Thursday
663 Good Friday
663 Holy Saturday
Favorites
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter eggs
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting F663.30

Date learned: 03-26-1972

View just this record

( HOLY WEEK CUSTOMS )

SOME OF THE OLD WORLD CUSTOMS THAT ARE CELEBRATED BY
POLISH-AMERICANS, AND ARE A BIG PART OF OUR HERITAGE STEM FROM
OUR CATHOLIC FAITH. THE BIGGEST AND MOST IMPORTANT IS EASTER.
AT THE CONCLUSION OF HOLY THURSDAY SERVICES OUR ALTAR IS
STRIPPED OF ITS VESTMENTS AND IS LEFT BARE. THE TABERNACLE
IS LEFT OPEN AND THE SACREMENT REMOVED. AT THE SIDE ALTAR THE
SEPULCHRE IS PREPARED. AT 3:00 ON GOOD FRIDAY THE FIGURE OF
CHRIST WILL BE LYING IN THE TOMB. ON GOOD FRIDAY ( , )
BEGINNING AT 12:00 NOON ( , ) THE CHURCH IS FILLED TO CAPACITY
WITH WORSHIPPERS COMMENORATING ( COMMEMORATING ) CHRIST'S
CRUCIFIXION. THE CROSS IS CARRIED THROUGH THE AISLES COVERING
CHRIST'S FOOTSTEPS ON THE WAY TO CALVARY. AT 3:00, THE PRIEST
LEADS THE PROCESSION TO THE SEPULCHRE AND THE FIGURE OF CHRIST IS
UNCOVERED.
THE MORNING OF HOLY SATURDAY FINDS THE PEOPLE COMING TO THE CHURCH
TO RECEIVE HOLY WATER AND THORNS. IN POLISH HOMES YOU WILL FIND
A RECEPTACLE FOR HOLY WATER AT THE ENTRANCE OF THE BEDROOMS FROM
WHICH THE MOTHER BLESSES HER FAMILY WHILE THEY ARE ASLEEP AT
NIGHT. A VISIT IS PAID TO THE SEPULCHRE WHICH IS GUARDED BY
SOLDIERS. THE PARISHIONERS BRING EASTER LILIES TO ADORN CHRIST'S
TOMB. AT 1:00 WE BRING FOOD BASKETS TO THE CHURCH TO BE BLESSED,
WHICH WILL BE EATEN FOR BREAKFAST ON EASTER. THE FOOD CONSISTS OF
POLISH SAUSAGE (KIELBASA) ( , ) BUTTER SHAPED IN THE FORM OF A
LAMB WITH A RED RIBBON AROUND ITS NECK, SIGNIFYING CHRIST,
THE SLAIN LAMB. A SWEET BREAD MADE OF EGG AND SWEET RAISINS IS
BRAIDED INTO A LOAF, HORSERADISH AND COLORED EASTER ( EGGS ) ARE
ALSO IN THE BASKET.
EASTER MORNING AT 5:00 A.M. THE SUNRISE SERVICES BEGIN.
CHILDREN DRESSED IN WHITE ( , ) WEARING BLUE CAPES ( , ) COME IN
PROCESSION CARRYING FLOWERS. THEY ARE MET AT THE ALTAR BY THE
PRIEST AND WITH A TRUMPET FANFARE PROCEED TO THE TOMB. THERE
THEY FIND THE FIGURE OF CHRIST HAS BEEN REMOVED AND WHERE HE LAID
FLOWERS EN-MASSE. ARTIFICIAL SUNRAYS PROFUSE FROM THE TOMB, AND
THE SOLDIERS ARE GONE. CHRIST IS RISEN.
IN THE OLD COUNTRY EASTER MONDAY FINDS THE BOYS CHASING THEIR
GIRLS WITH LONG SWITCHES TO SWITCH THEIR LEGS. THEY IN TURN,
ARE CHASING THE BOYS WITH BUCKETS OF WATER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; 25940 MADISON CT ; 48081 ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES

Keyword(s): DYNGUS DAY ; FOOD CUSTOM ; MUSIC ; RITUAL WHIPPING ; SWIECZONKA ; SYMBOL ; WATER

Subject headings: 663 Holy Thursday
663 Good Friday
663 Holy Saturday
Favorites
DRAMA -- Religious
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter eggs
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting F663.30

Date learned: 11-10-1971

View just this record

TRADITIONAL POLISH CELEBRATION OF HOLY WEEK AND EASTER

ON HOLY THURSDAY THE BISHOPS AND PRIESTS WASH THE FEET OF 12
POOR PEOPLE IN MEMORY OF THE LAST SUPPER.
ON GOOD FRIDAY THERE IS A SPECIAL MASS WITH PRAYERS FOR ALL.
THE HOLY SACRAMENT IS PUT INTO A DARK CELL, AS CHRIST WAS, TO BE
ADORED CONSTANTLY. THERE IS A SPECIAL TOMB PUT UP AT A SIDE ALTAR
WHICH IS DECORATED WITH FLOWERS AND OFTEN DOVES. HERE THE PEOPLE
COME TO VISIT AND PRAY BOTH FRIDAY AND SATURDAY.
ON HOLY SATURDAY WATER AND THORNS ARE BLESSED IN THE MORNING AT
CHURCH. IN THE AFTERNOON, A BASKET OF FOOD IS TAKEN TO THE CHURCH TO
BE BLESSED. THE BASKET TRADITIONALLY CONTAINS BREAD, SALT, PEPPER,
EASTER EGGS (BOILED), KIELBASA (SAUSAGE), AND BUTTER IN THE FORM OF
A LAMB. ALSO, IT IS CUSTOMARY TO VISIT AS MANY CHURCHES AS POSSIBLE
THAT DAY.
AT DAWN OF EASTER SUNDAY, THE RESURRECTION MASS IS HELD.
AFTER THIS MASS, THE FAMILY COMES HOME TO EASTER BREAKFAST
COMPOSED OF THE EASTER BASKET FOOD. AS A CUSTOMARY PRACTICE, THE
MEAL IS STARTED BY THE OLDEST MEMBER, WHO TAKES A BLESSED EGG, WHICH
HAS BEEN QUARTERED, AND SHARES IT WITH EACH MEMBER, WISHING HIM
HAPPINESS AND HEALTH. THE EGG IS REPRESENTATIVE OF LIFE. THEN
EVERYONE SITS DOWN TO EAT THE EASTER MEAL.
MY GRANDMOTHER REMEMBERS THIS FROM PRACTICE TO THIS DAY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; 7313 EMANON, ASSUMED ; DEARBORN

Keyword(s): FAMILY UNITY ; FOOD CUSTOM ; SWIECZONKA ; WATER

Subject headings: 663 Holy Thursday
663 Good Friday
663 Holy Saturday
Favorites
DRAMA -- Religious
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter eggs
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting F663.30

Date learned: 10-27-1967

View just this record

A RELIGIOUS TRADITION

ON HOLY SATURDAY WE ALL WENT TO CHURCH FOR THE AFTERNOON SERVICES
WHICH WERE BLESSING THE NEW FIRE AND BLESSING HOLY WATER AND SOME
OTHERS. WE WOULD PICK UP SOME OF THE NEW HOLY WATER WHEN WE WENT
HOME FOR HOME USE.

Submitter comment: PRACTISED AS A CHILD AT HOME.

Data entry tech comment: "AND SOME OTHERS." COULD POSSIBLY REFER TO THE BLESSING OF THE FOOD
WHICH IS TO BE EATEN ON EASTER SUNDAY.

Where learned: HOME ; TOLD IN

Keyword(s): SWIECZONKA ; WATER

Subject headings: 663 Holy Saturday
BELIEF -- Prayer

View just this record

ON HOLY SATURDAY FOOD IS BROUGHT TO BE BLESSED AT THE CHURCHES
IN GERMANY. THE FARMERS HAVE A CUSTOM OF USING SOME OF THE BLESSED
PALM WHICH THEY GOT FROM THE CHURCH ON PALM SUNDAY ( , ) ALONG WITH
SOME SHELLS OF THE BLESSED EGGS FROM THE BLESSING OF THE FOOD, AND
PLACE IT IN THE FOUR CORNERS OF THEIR CROP FIELDS AND PRAY THE ROSARY
AND SPRINKLE HOLY WATER AS THEY PRAY FOR A GOOD CROP.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MARYGROVE COLLEGE ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): METONYMY: FOUR CORNERS ; SWIECZONKA ; WATER

Subject headings: 663 Palm Sunday
663 Holy Saturday
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F476
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter eggs
BELIEF -- Plant husbandry Farming
BELIEF -- Prayer

Date learned: 11-00-1970

View just this record

POLISH EASTER CUSTOM

ON HOLY SATURDAY, MY BROTHERS AND I USUALLY ACCOMPANIED MY MOTHER TO
CHURCH. WE TOOK WITH US FOOD THAT WOULD BE EATEN ON EASTER SUNDAY.
NOT ALL OF THE FOOD WOULD BE TAKEN, OF COURSE, BUT MERELY
REPRESENTATIVE PORTIONS. OUR BASKET WOULD CONTAIN A FEW LINKS OF
KIELBASA, SOME SLICES OF HAM, SEVERAL BOILED EGGS, A PORTION OF A
COFFEE CAKE WHICH MY MOTHER BAKED ONLY AT CHRISTMAS AND EASTER,
( AND ) SOME POTATOES WHICH WERE TO BE USED IN THE POTATO SALAD. I
BELIEVE WE WENT TO CHURCH IN THE AFTERNOON, WHEN LENT WAS
OFFICIALLY ENDED AND THERE THE PRIEST WOULD WALK UP AND DOWN THE
AISLES AND BLESS THE EASTER BASKETS WITH HOLY WATER. SOME PARISHES
IN WHICH WE LIVED DID NOT PRACTICE THIS CUSTOM AND FOR MANY YEARS WE
DID NOT HAVE OUR FOOD BLESSED. NOW, MY PARISH, WHICH IS BY NO MEANS
COMPRISED OF A POLISH ETHNIC GROUP, HAS BEGUN THE PRACTICE. THE
PEOPLE IN OUR SUBURB ARE CLAIMING THAT THIS PARISH IS THE ONLY ONE
TO DO THIS AND ( THAT ) IT IS A ROSEVILLE CUSTOM, NOT RELATED
IN ANY WAY TO POLISH CUSTOMS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; 17824 LINCOLN DR ; ROSEVILLE

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM ; SWIECZONKA ; WATER

Subject headings: 663 Holy Saturday
Favorites
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below.
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday
BELIEF -- Prayer

Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

View just this record

EASTER CUSTOM

ON HOLY SATURDAY, SLOVAK PEOPLE GATHER AT THEIR CHURCH TO HAVE THEIR
EASTER BASKETS BLESSED BY THE PARISH PRIEST. THE BASKETS CONTAIN
DYED EASTER EGGS, HAM, KIELBASA, BUTTER--USUALLY MOLDED IN THE FORM
OF A LAMB SIGNIFYING CHRIST, HOME-BAKED BREAD, SOME CANDY AND
"HRUTKA", AN EGG AND MILK CONCOCTION FORMED LIKE A HUGE PIECE OF
CHEESE. A PREVIOUSLY BLESSED CANDLE IS LIGHTED AND PROPPED UP IN THE
BASKET. IT IS A QUICK CEREMONY IN WHICH THE PRIEST RECITES
TRADITIONAL PRAYERS AND WALKS AMONG THE BASKETS, SPRINKLING HOLY
WATER, ( AND THEN ) THE PEOPLE RETURN HOME WITH THEIR BLESSED FOOD.
IF ANY OF IT IS NOT EATEN, IT CANNOT BE THROWN TO THE GARBAGE BUT
MUST BE BURNED BECAUSE IT IS SPECIAL--IT HAS BEEN BLESSED.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 885 COVINGTON DR

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM ; SWIECZONKA ; SYMBOL ; WATER

Subject headings: 663 Holy Saturday
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter eggs
BELIEF -- Prayer

Date learned: 03-22-1970

View just this record

To find water that is hidden below ground, hold two willow
branches (or two coat hangers which have been straightened
and then bent into an "L" shape) loosely in your hands. As
you pass over water, the sticks/wires will cross over one
another. When you move past the water, the sticks/wires will
uncross.

Submitter comment: Elaine swears that her father has been able to discover
water by this method many times. She herself, being skeptical,
tried it and the procedure worked. Elaine has so much faith
in her father's ability, that she plans to have him locate a
new spot to drill a second well on her northern Michigan
property, since the well she has now is sluggish.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

Keyword(s): DIVINATION ; dowsing ; PREDICTION ; WATER WITCHING

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Water
BELIEF -- Use of Object

Date learned: 00001972CA

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CUSTOM

ON EASTER MORNING, WHEN THE CHURCH BELLS RING, THE MOTHERS BATHE
THEIR BABIES SO IF THEY ARE FRIGHTENED OF ANYTHING, THE FRIGHT WILL
BE WASHED AWAY.

Where learned: HOME

Keyword(s): bathing ; HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC ; WASHING ; WATER

Subject headings: Favorites
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting F663.12
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday

Date learned: 11-11-1967

View just this record

EASTER CUSTOM

ON EASTER SUNDAY, POLISH VILLAGERS WOULD SPRINKLE EVERY ROOM IN THEIR
HOUSE WITH HOLY WATER--INCLUDING THE STABLE AND BARN--AS PROTECTION
FROM FIRE, LIGHTENING, OR OTHER MISFORTUNE.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT STILL PRACTICES THIS CUSTOM IN HER HOME.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 5678 TARNOW ST ; 48210

Keyword(s): WATER

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday
BELIEF -- Lightning Thunder
BELIEF -- Fire

Date learned: 02-07-1971

View just this record

EASTER BELIEF

YOU WILL BE HEALTHY ALL YEAR ROUND IF ON EASTER MORNING
YOU GET UP EARLY AND SWIM IN WATER.

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 48219 ; 16785 WESTBROOK

Keyword(s): WATER

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday
BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness

Date learned: 02-18-1971

View just this record

BELIEF: (MEDICAL)

IF ON EASTER MORNING YOU GO TO A RIVER FOR WATER, AND NEVER
LOOK SIDEWAYS OR BACKWARDS OR SPEAK TO ANYONE, AND MAKE IT BACK
HOME BEFORE SUNRISE, YOU WILL HAVE HEALING WATER TO USE FOR A
WHOLE YEAR.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN ; NATIONAL MANUFACTURING COMPANY

Keyword(s): HEALTH ; WATER

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday
BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness

Date learned: 10-31-1969

View just this record

CURING WARTS

BATHING THE HANDS IN RUNNING WATER EARLY EASTER SUNDAY MORNING WILL
CURE WARTS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 19501 BILTMORE

Keyword(s): HEALTH ; WATER

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday
BELIEF -- Method of Curing

Date learned: 02-28-1970

View just this record

MY GRANDFATHER (INFORMANT'S FATHER) USED TO SPRINKLE EASTER WATER ON
THE DINNER TABLE BEFORE DINNER ON EASTER SUNDAY NIGHT.

Submitter comment: ( EASTER WATER IS ) THE WATER THAT'S BEEN BLESSED ON HOLY SATURDAY.

Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED

Keyword(s): WATER

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday

Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

View just this record

EASTER CUSTOM

AFTER THE EASTER SERVICE AT DAWN ON EASTER SUNDAY, A SLOVAK
CATHOLIC PRIEST BLESSES HOLY WATER. HE PLACES A BURNING "TRIPLE
CANDLE" OR "TROJCA" IN THE WATER. THIS CANDLE WILL ALWAYS KEEP THE
WATER FRESH. THE PEOPLE BRING THEIR OWN CONTAINERS AND TAKE SOME OF
THE WATER HOME.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 19615 SUNSET ST

Keyword(s): WATER

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday
BELIEF -- Prayer

Date learned: 02-25-1970

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