Deprecated: The each() function is deprecated. This message will be suppressed on further calls in /var/www/libs/inc/cfa/cfa-search.inc.php on line 473

Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in /var/www/libs/inc/cfa/cfa-item.inc.php on line 327
The James T. Callow Computerized Folkore Archive | University of Detroit Mercy Libraries Back to Top
Top Nav content Site Footer
University Home
James T. Callow Computerized Folklore Archive
search for

Offensive content Filter is ON

Your search for Africa returned 28 results.

showing 28 items

BELIEF BIRTH

WEAR AN AFRICAN FERTILITY DOLL FOR NINE ENTIRE MONTHS AND IN THE
NEXT NINE YOU WILL HAVE A BABY.

Where learned: LETTER ; TOLD IN ; SOUTH AFRICA

Subject headings: Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration
686 Ninths / Nine
BELIEF -- Birth

Date learned: 00-00-1965

View just this record

POVERTY AND DISGRACE

POVERTY ALWAYS WISHES IT WERE DEAD WHILE DISGRACE ALWAYS
URGES IT TO LIVE ON.

Where learned: WEST AFRICA

Keyword(s): PERSONIFICATION

James Callow Keyword(s): CONTRAST

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

View just this record

PROVERB

HE WHO IS WILLING TO WORK FINDS IT HARD TO WAIT.

Where learned: WEST AFRICA

Keyword(s): EAGERNESS ; THE WILLING WORKER

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR.

View just this record

MONEY AND WOMEN

IF YOU HAVE MONEY, SHARE IT WITH MEN
FOR WOMEN ARE UNGRATEFUL

Where learned: WEST AFRICA

James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE, POSITIVE ; SEXISM ; WEALTH, GENEROSITY, GIVING

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Blason Populaire

Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

View just this record

In New Guinea, it is customary to take young boys away from
their parents for a couple of days to be initiated into
manhood. Ashes are used to cover the young boy's face and body
and a fire dance and prayer are conducted. The ashes
represent the death of the young boy. The young men are now
returned back to their parents.

Submitter comment: Robert spoke of this custom when he got back from Africa.
His gestures were mostly hands describing the way the
natives were conducting the ceremony.

Where learned: Africa

Keyword(s): Trial, Growing-up.

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing

Date learned: 00-00-1949

View just this record

LIVING CUSTOMS OF EAST AFRICA

IN EAST AFRICA, CHILDREN ARE NEVER ALLOWED TO LEAVE
HOME UNTIL THEY ARE MARRIED. IN THE CASE OF BOYS, THEY
USUALLY BRING THEIR BRIDE HOME TO LIVE TOGETHER WITH
HIS PARENTS.

Submitter comment: AS TOLD TO ME BY MISS HAJI.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Africa

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage

Date learned: 01-02-1970

View just this record

TWO CALABASHES

TWO CALABASHES CANNOT REMAIN ON THE WATER WITHOUT TOUCHING EACH
OTHER.

Where learned: WEST AFRICA

Keyword(s): CALABASHES=GOURDS?

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

View just this record

THE VULTURE AND BALDNESS

A VULTURE DOES NOT SELL ANY MEDICINE FOR CURING BALDNESS.

Where learned: WEST AFRICA

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

View just this record

PROVERB: THE CHATTERBOX

WHOEVER TALKS ABOUT WHAT DOES NOT CONCERN HIM OFTEN HEARS WHAT
DOES NOT PLEASE HIM.

Where learned: WEST AFRICA

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

View just this record

SUPERSTITION

DRINKING WATER FROM THE LAVATORY MAKES A MAN A LIAR.

Submitter comment: THIS EAST AFRICAN BELIEF IS INTENDED TO DISCOURAGE AN UNWHOLESOME
HABIT.

Where learned: TANZANIA ; EAST AFRICA

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal

Date learned: 03-00-1982

View just this record

IF A MAN DRINKS WATER AT NIGHT AND LEAVES THE VESSEL UNCOVERED, HIS
SOUL WILL PLUNGE INTO IT DURING THE NIGHT, AND IF SOMEONE
ACCIDENTALLY PUTS ON THE LID, HE WILL DIE AT ONCE.

Submitter comment: THIS EAST AFRICAN BELIEF RELATES TO HEALTH HABITS AND THE NEED TO
KEEP DRINKING WATER PURE.

Where learned: TANZANIA ; EAST AFRICA

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial
BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness

Date learned: 03-00-1982

View just this record

IT IS FORBIDDEN TO DRINK WATER FROM A LADLE WITHOUT VIGOROUSLY
SHAKING IT FIRST.

Submitter comment: THIS EAST AFRICAN BELIEF CONVEYS A USEFUL HABIT, FOR IT IS IMPORTANT
TO ENSURE THAT THE LADLE IS CLEAN AND FREE FROM INSECTS.

Where learned: TANZANIA ; EAST AFRICA

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness

Date learned: 03-00-1982

View just this record

SUPERSTITION

TO EAT IN THE DARK IS TO EAT WITH THE DEVIL.

Submitter comment: THIS AFRICAN SUPERSTITION IS RELATED TO HEALTHFUL EATING HABITS, AND
DISCOURAGES EATING IN THE DARK FOR OBVIOUS REASONS.

Where learned: TANZANIA ; EAST AFRICA

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Devil Demon
BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour
BELIEF -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222.

Date learned: 03-00-1982

View just this record

HE WHO EATS WHILE STANDING ON THE DOOR-STEP WILL BE KNOCKED DOWN BY A
DEVIL.

Submitter comment: THIS EAST AFRICAN BELIEF IS MEANT TO DISCOURAGE THE HABIT OF EATING
IN ABNORMAL PLACES.

Where learned: TANZANIA ; EAST AFRICA

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Devil Demon
BELIEF -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222.

Date learned: 03-00-1982

View just this record

HE WHO EATS SWEET FOOD WHILE WALKING WILL BE POSSESSED OF A DEVIL.

Submitter comment: THIS EAST AFRICAN BELIEF IS MEANT TO DISCOURAGE EATING IN UNUSUAL
PLACES.

Where learned: TANZANIA ; EAST AFRICA

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Devil Demon
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222.

Date learned: 03-00-1982

View just this record

IF YOU TREAD ON FOOD DELIBERATELY YOU WILL GET ELEPHANTIASIS.

Submitter comment: THIS EAST AFRICAN BELIEF HAS RELIGIOUS OVERTONES RELATING TO THE
ABHORRENCE OF WASTE.

Where learned: TANZANIA ; EAST AFRICA

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness

Date learned: 03-00-1982

View just this record

IF A MAN GOES TO BED WITHOUT WASHING HIS FEET, THE SOLES OF HIS FEET
WILL BE LICKED BY THE DEVIL.

Submitter comment: THIS EAST AFRICAN BELIEF IS MEANT TO ENCOURAGE PERSONAL CLEANLINESS.

Where learned: TANZANIA ; EAST AFRICA

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Devil Demon
BELIEF -- Measure of time Sleeping
BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness

Date learned: 03-00-1982

View just this record

IF ONE GOES TO BED WITHOUT WASHING ONE'S FEET, THEY WILL LIE IN THE
FIRES OF HELL.

Submitter comment: THIS EAST AFRICAN BELIEF IS MEANT TO ENCOURAGE PERSONAL CLEANLINESS.

Where learned: TANZANIA ; EAST AFRICA

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Devil Demon
BELIEF -- Measure of time Sleeping
BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness

Date learned: 03-00-1982

View just this record

WEARING WET CLOTHES BRINGS POVERTY. (THIS BELIEF TEACHES PEOPLE TO
AVOID CATCHING COLD.)

Where learned: TANZANIA ; EAST AFRICA

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth
BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness

Date learned: 03-00-1982

View just this record

MANY COBWEBS IN A HOUSE WILL CAUSE FORGETFULNESS. (THIS TEACHES
CLEANLINESS AND TIDINESS.)

Where learned: TANZANIA ; EAST AFRICA

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness

Date learned: 03-00-1982

View just this record

showing 28 items

Back to Top