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A GESTURE MY FATHER KNOWS FROM POLAND IS ONE TO SHOW
THAT SOMEONE IS DRUNK. THE RIGHT HAND IS USED.
THE RIGHT EYE IS WINKED AS THE TONGUE IS CLUCKED AND
THE FOREFINGER IS FLICKED AT THE THROAT.

Where learned: POLAND

Subject headings: Food Drink -- Drink
SPEECH -- Formula
SPEECH -- Body parts involved
SPEECH -- Derision Scorn
SPEECH -- Drinking

Date learned: 11-29-1967

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JOHN AND MARGARET

JOHN AND MARGARET HAD A FATHER AND A STEPMOTHER. THE STEPMOTHER
TOOK THEM INTO THE FOREST AND THE CHILDREN KNEW THAT SHE WAS
GOING TO LEAVE THEM THERE. SO THE BOY SCATTERED CRUMBS OF
BREAD ALONG THE WAY SO THEY COULD FIND THEIR WAY BACK. THE
STEPMOTHER DID LEAVE THEM AND WENT BACK HOME.
HOWEVER, THE BIRDS ATE THE BREAD CRUMBS AND THE CHILDREN COULDN'T
FIND THEIR WAY BACK HOME. THEY WALKED AROUND AND AROUND ON
CIRCLES INSIDE THE FOREST TRYING TO FIND THEIR WAY HOME. THEN THE
CHILDREN SAW A VERY NICE HOUSE MADE OF CAKES. TORTS, COOKIES,
THE WITCH CAME CAME OUT SAYING, "WHO IS TAKING APART MY
HOME? DO NOT BE AFRAID, COME TO ME AND I WILL GIVE YOU
SOMETHING TO EAT." SHE FED THEM AND TREATED THEM VERY
WELL. LATER SHE LIT THE OVEN==THE OVEN WAS LARGE- AND WHEN IT
WAS HOT SHE TOLD THE BOY TO SIT ON THE WOODEN SHOVEL. BUT THE BOY
SAID, "I DON'T KNOW HOW TO SIT DOWN ON IT. WILL YOU
SHOW ME HOW TO DO IT?". AND AS SHE WAS GOING TO
SHOW HIM, HE PUSHED HER INTO THE OVEN.
THEY WERE HAPPY AND WENT HOME AND LIVED HAPPILY EVER AFTER.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT NEVER HEARD OF HANSEL AND GRETEL. SHE HEARD THIS STORY
FROM HER OLDER SISTER WHILE IN POLAND.
THIS IS TRANSLATED FROM POLISH

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; POLAND ; Sterling Heights ; GOWARCZOW

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Witch Shaman
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Magic

Date learned: 11-00-1973

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CHRISTMAS CUSTOM

AFTER CHRISTMAS THE BOYS WOULD VISIT HOMES DRESSED AS A DEVIL
CARRYING A PITCHFORK AND SHEPHERDS WITH A STAR. THEY WOULD SING A
FEW CHRISTMAS CAROLS AND PUT ON A SHORT FUNNY PLAY. THE PLAY
USUALLY INVOLVED THE SHEPHERDS AND DEVIL FIGHTING EACH OTHER.

Submitter comment: THIS WAS DONE IN POLAND FROM CHRISTMAS DAY UNTIL NEW YEAR'S DAY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; POLAND ; Sterling Heights ; GOWARCZOW

Subject headings: DRAMA -- Religious
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F122
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 28 Holy Innocents
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F122
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 26 Boxing Day St. Stephen's Day
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below.
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F123
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Songs, caroling

Date learned: 11-00-1973

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EASTER CUSTOM

BOYS WOULD MAKE TINY HOLES WITH A NEEDLE AT OPPOSITE ENDS OF AN
EGG AND BLOW THE INSIDES OUT. WHEN THE GIRLS WERE STANDING UP
IN CHURCH THE BOYS WOULD SNEAK UP AND PIN THE EMPTY SHELL
ON THEIR BACKS.

Submitter comment: THIS WAS DONE TO UNMARRIED GIRLS IN POLAND.
THE INFORMANT IS NOT SURE WHETHER IT WAS DONE AT CHRISTMAS OR
OR EASTER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; POLAND ; Sterling Heights ; GOWARCZOW

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Palm Sunday
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Season

Date learned: 11-00-1973

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EASTER CUSTOM

ON THE FIRST DAY AFTER EASTER THE BOYS IN THE CITY WOULD SPRINKLE
THE GIRLS WITH PERFUME BUT IN THE VILLAGE THE BOYS WOULD THROW
PAILS FULL OF WATER AT
THE GIRLS AS THEY WOULD BE GOING TO CHURCH. THE GIRLS WOULD
SPLASH THEM BACK WITH A CUPFUL OF WATER.

Submitter comment: THIS TOOK PLACE IN POLAND.
IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD, WHICH IS DETROIT, A LADY SAID THAT BOYS
WOULD HIT GIRLS THE DAY
AFTER EASTER AND THE GIRLS COULDN'T HIT BACK. THE OPPOSITE HELD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; POLAND ; Sterling Heights ; GOWARCZOW

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Palm Sunday
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Season
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Tuesday Revenge Day

Date learned: 11-00-1973

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FEAST OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST

ON THE FEAST OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST GIRLS MADE WREATHS
FROM FLOWERS NEAR THE WATER. THEY PLACED CANDLES ON THEIR
WREATHS
AND SAW WHICH ONE WOULD FLOAT THE LONGEST. THAT GIRL WOULD BE
MARRIED FIRST WHOSE WREATH STAYED UP THE LONGEST.

Submitter comment: THIS WAS DONE IN POLAND.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; POLAND ; Sterling Heights ; GOWARCZOW

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- June 24 St. John's Day / Midsummer Day
BELIEF -- Use of Object

Date learned: 11-00-1973

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GAME VERSE

"ULI ULI JANKO:" KNEEL DOWN ON YOUR KNEE, REST
YOURSELF ON YOUR HIPS, CATCH YOURSELF BY YOUR BRAIDS, WASH YOURSELF
AND COMB YOURSELF. WHOEVER YOU LOVE THAT ONE TAKE.

Submitter comment: FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS OF THE RHYME.
THIS WAS LEARNED IN POLAND.
THIS IS TRANSLATED FROM POLISH

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; POLAND ; Sterling Heights ; GOWARCZOW

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse C750.520

Date learned: 11-00-1973

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LULLABY

NOW THE MOON SLEEPS AND THE STARS ARE SLEEPING. THEY TIRED
MY LITTLE DOLL. CLOSE YOUR LITTLE EYES AND LAY DOWN YOUR
LITTLE HEAD AND I WILL TELL YOU A TALE. THERE WAS A KING,
THERE WAS A "PAZ" , AND THERE WAS ALSO A QUEEN.
THEY LIVED IN THE MIDDLE OF A ROSE GARDEN, DID NOT KNOW STORMY
WEATHER, AND EVERYONE KNEW ABOUT IT.
THEN A TERRIBLE LOSS, A SUDDEN DEATH, CAME UPON THEM.
THE KING WAS EATEN BY THE DOG, THE "PAZ" WAS
EATEN BY THE CAT, THE QUEEN, THE MOUSE HAD EATEN. BUT SO THAT
YOU WILL NOT BE SAD MY DEAREST LITTLE DOLL, FROM SUGAR WAS MADE
THE KING, FROM CHOCOLATE THE "PAZ", AND THE QUEEN
"Z MARCEPANA."

Submitter comment: "Z MARCEPANA" IS A TYPE OF CAKE WHICH THE
QUEEN WAS MADE OF.
THE INFORMANT DID NOT KNOW WHAT KIND IT EXACTLY WAS.
THIS IS A TRANSLATION OF THE LULLABY LEARNED IN POLAND.
THIS IS TRANSLATED FROM POLISH

James Callow comment: MARZIPAN IS A CONFECTION MADE FROM ALMOND PASTE AND
CK[ EGG WHITE AND SUGAR. PAC

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; POLAND ; Sterling Heights ; GOWARCZOW

James Callow Keyword(s): EGG WHITE AND SUGAR. PAC

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ballad Epic
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Cradle song Lullaby

Date learned: 11-00-1973

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GAME VERSE

WALKS THE CHIMNEY UP THE LADDER "FIKMIK"/ AND
HE'S ALREADY STIRRING IN THE CHIMNEY.
PLACE HANDS BACK TO BACK ( LEFT HAND FACING DOWNWARD AND PALM OF
RIGHT HAND FACING UPWARD. CROSS FINGERS ONE BY ONE AND
TWIST ARMS AROUND BUT KEEP FINGERS INTERTWINED SO THAT THE
RIGHT THUMB IS STIRRING IN THE CENTER AND APPEARS TO BE THE
CHIMNEY SWEEPER WORKING.

Submitter comment: TRANSLATED FROM POLISH. THIS WAS LEARNED IN POLAND.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; POLAND ; Sterling Heights ; GOWARCZOW

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Athletic sport and exercise Gymnastics
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse

Date learned: 11-00-1973

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PENTECOST CELEBRATION

HOMES AND CHURCHES WOULD BE DRESSED GREEN INSIDE AND OUTSIDE.

Submitter comment: THIS WAS DONE IN POLAND.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; POLAND ; Sterling Heights ; GOWARCZOW

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Pentecost
BELIEF -- Color

Date learned: 11-00-1973

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CHRISTMAS CUSTOM

A BUNDLE OF STRAW WOULD BE PLACED IN THE CORNER OF A ROOM.
A WAFER WOULD LAY ON TOP OF SOME HAY ON THE CENTER OF THE
TABLE.

Submitter comment: THIS OCCURRED IN POLAND.
THIS OCCURRED ON CHRISTMAS EVE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; POLAND ; Sterling Heights ; GOWARCZOW

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve

Date learned: 11-00-1973

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THE FEAST OF THE LORD'S BODY {CORPUS CHRISTI}

IN MAY OR JUNE ALTARS WERE SET UP OUTSIDE. THEY WERE SET UP
IN THE NORTH, SOUTH, EAST AND WEST. A PROCESSION WOULD BE HELD
BY THE VILLAGES WHICH BELONGED TO ONE PARISH.

Submitter comment: THIS HAPPENED IN POLAND. THIS FEAST IS CORPUS CHRISTI.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; POLAND ; Sterling Heights ; GOWARCZOW

James Callow Keyword(s): DIRECTIONS

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- May
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- June
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Summer

Date learned: 11-00-1973

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EASTER CELEBRATIONS

A MAN WOULD INVITE A PRIEST TO VISIT HIS FAMILY AT HOME DURING
EASTER. THE PRIEST WOULD BLESS THE WAFER. THE ORGANIST WOULD
COLLECT HAY, GRAIN, OR MONEY FOR THE CHURCH.

Submitter comment: THIS WAS DONE IN POLAND.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; POLAND ; Sterling Heights ; GOWARCZOW

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Palm Sunday
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Season

Date learned: 11-00-1973

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THE CHRISTMAS TREE

ALL THE CHRISTMAS TREES IN POLAND ARE DECORATED WITH ORNAMENTS
MADE BY THE PEOPLE OF THE HOUSE. THESE ARE USED FROM
YEAR TO YEAR. SOMETIMES NUTS AND CRANBERRIES ARE
STRUNG TOGETHER AND THE GARLAND HUNG ON THE BRANCHES OF THE TREE.
THE LIGHTS ARE USUALLY SMALL CANDLES LIT CAREFULLY BY THE LADY
OF THE HOUSE. THE TREE IS ALWAYS DECORATED ON CHRISTMAS EVE,
LONG AFTER THE LITTLE ONES HAVE GONE TO BED.

Submitter comment: RECEIVED BY LETTER FROM POLAND SEVERAL YEARS AGO

Where learned: POLAND ; KRAKOW

James Callow Keyword(s): PLANTS

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20
Food Drink -- Plant food Fruit
Food Drink -- Plant food Nut

Date learned: 12-01-1975

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SUPERSTITOON

ROOSTER CROWING BEFORE MIDNIGHT MEANS RAIN.

Submitter comment: IN POLAND, WHERE MY GRANDMOTHER GREW UP, LOCAL TTADITIONS WERE
ACCEPTED AS FACT, AND WERE NOT QUESTIONED.

Where learned: POLAND ; WARSAW ; MIELIEC

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Bird
BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew
BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour
BELIEF -- Weather sign or control

Date learned: 00-00-1940

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CHRISTMAS TREES

CHRISTMAS TREES ARE VERY POPULAR IN POLAND. IN THE LARGE HOUSES IN
THE CITIES THEY ARE PLACED ON THE FLOOR OR THE TABLE. IN OUR
VILLAGE, MIELIEC, PEOPLE HUNG THEM FROM THE CEILING BY THE TOP
BRANCHES, ALL DECORATED WITH APPLES, NUTS, CANDIES AND MANY SMALL
TOYS MADE OUT OF BLOWN EGGS, COLORED PAPER AND STRAW. IT IS
SUPPOSED THAT THE GIFTS WERE BROUGHT BY AN ANGEL, SINCE ST. NICHOLAS
VISITED THE CHILDREN ON DEC. 6. AN OLD CHRISTMAS CAROL IS SUNG AND
THEN THE GIFTS ARE OPENNED.

Submitter comment: EVEN A BARE, SMALL CHRISTMAS TREE WITH A LITTLE ORNAMENTS, BROUGHT
HAPPINESS TO PEOPLE AT A TIME WHEN SIMPLE PLEASURES WERE ALL THAT
MATTERED.

Where learned: POLAND ; WARSAW ; MIELIEC

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Religious
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 6 Feast of St. Nicholas
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below.
BELIEF -- Angel

Date learned: 00-00-1940

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CHRISTMAS SONGS

POLISH CAROLS, KOLENDY, ARE SUNG AT MIDNIGHT MASS, OR THE PASTERKA
CALLED SHEPHERDS' WATCH. MANY PEOPLE IN OUR VILLAGE BELIEVED THAT
WHILE WE SANG AND PRAYED, PEACE DESCENDED ON THE WORLD. ANIMALS
ASSUMED VOICES AT THIS TIME, WHICH ONLY WAS HEARD BY THE INNOCENT OF
HEART.

Submitter comment: CHRISTMAS SONGS BROUGHT PEOPLE TOGETHER TO PRAISE THE EARTH AND
HAVE SOME FUN. IT WAS A TIME OF BEING WITH FRIENDS.

Where learned: POLAND ; WARSAW ; MIELIEC

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Religious
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve
BELIEF -- Animal
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank

Date learned: 00-00-1940

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EVENTS ON CHRISTMAS EVE

FROM EVENING UNTIL MIDNIGHT, BOYS WALK FROM VILLAGE TO VILLAGE WITH
AN ILLUMINATED STAR AND A KING HEROD CHARACTER, TO SING CAROLS.
THIS IS DONE TO RECEIVE GIFTS. IN SOME DISTRICTS THE BOYS CARRY
PUPPET SHOWS CALLED SZOPKI. THESE ARE BUILT LIKE A LITTLE HOUSE
WITH TWO TOWERS, OPEN IN THE FRONT WHERE A SMALL CRIB IS SET AND
BEFORE WHICH MARIONETTES SING THEIR DIALOGUES.

Submitter comment: THE DRAMATIZATION AND PUPPET SHOWS WERE EAGERLY AWAITED BY THE
CHILREN OF POLAND AS WELL AS THE ADULTS.

Where learned: POLAND ; WARSAW ; MIELIEC

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Religious
DRAMA -- Religious
DRAMA -- Puppet
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve

Date learned: 00-00-1940

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