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PALM SUNDAY CUSTOMS

UKRAINIANS ON PALM SUNDAY RECEIVE A SINGLE PUSSY WILLOW BRANCH,
WHICH IS BLESSED BY A PRIEST. WHEN FRIENDS MEET EACH OTHER BY
CHANCE THEY TAP ONE ANOTHER WITH THE PUSSY WILLOW SAYING
"NOT I THAT STRIKE THEE, BUT THE WILLOW".

Submitter comment: THIS CUSTOM HAS BEEN IN EXISTENCE SINCE CHRISTIANITY WAS ADOPTED
IN UKRAINE IN 988 A.D..
RITUAL WHIPPING

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

Subject headings: 663 Palm Sunday

Date learned: 11-27-1977

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EASTER CELEBRATION

ON EASTER MORNING, FOLLOWING RESURRECTION SERVICES, EACH FAMILY WOULD
BRING A BASKET TO BE BLESSED BY A PRIEST. THE BASKETS WOULD USUALLY CONTAIN
A PASKA, A RICH ROUND BREAD WITH DOUGH ORNAMENTS, SEVERAL HARD BOILED COLORFUL
KRASHANKY (SOLID COLOR EGGS), ONE OR TWO PYSANKY, HAM, SAUSAGE, CHEESE, SMALL
CONTAINERS OF BUTTER, SALT, AND GRATED HORSERADISH. COVERING THE BASKET WOULD
BE MOTHER'S MOST BEAUTIFUL EMBROIDERED CLOTH. THE CLOTH WAS SET ASIDE AND THE
CANDLE IN EACH BASKET WAS LIT TO SIGNIFY NEW LIFE. THE PRIEST WOULD THEN SPRINKLE
HOLY WATER ON THE ARRAY OF FOODS. THIS FOOD WOULD LATER BE EATEN AS PART OF THE EASTER DINNER.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT HAS PASSED THIS CUSTOM DOWN TO COLLECTOR.
COLLECTOR HAS KNOWN THIS CUSTOM SINCE THE BEGINNING OF HIS CHILDHOOD.
THIS CUSTOM STARTED IN THE UKRAINE AND CAME TO THIS COUNTRY WITH THE
IMMIGRANTS. THERE IS A SPLIT BETWEEN WHAT DAY THE BASKET IS TO BE BLESSED.
FOR SOME IT IS ON SUNDAY, AS IT WAS IN THE OLD COUNTRY. BUT MORE CHURCHES
ARE BLESSING BASKETS ON HOLY SATURDAY EVE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

Subject headings: 663 Holy Thursday
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday

Date learned: 11-30-1977

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THE DAY BEFORE ASH WENESDAY IN POLAND IS PUNCHKI DAY. WHICH MEANS
JELLY DONUT DAY.

Submitter comment: DOUGHNUT

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: 663 Mardi Gras

Date learned: 12-00-1977

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RELIGIOUS SUPERSTITION

THE MEXICANS BELIEVE IF THEY DON'T RECEIVE ASHES ON ASH WEDNESDAY
THEY WON'T BE ALIVE ON THE NEXT ASH WEDNESDAY.

Submitter comment: DON LEARNED THIS IN FRESNO, CALIFORNIA AT HIS HOME PARISH. THE
PEOPLE APPARENTLY HAD A STRONG BELIEF IN THIS RELIGIOUS SUPERSTITION.
DESPITE THE SMALL SIZE OF THE PARISH, ASHES WERE DISTRIBUTED FOR
HOURS EACH YEAR.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS

Subject headings: 663 Ash Wednesday
BELIEF -- Church
BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial

Date learned: 00-00-1974

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POLISH PALM SUNDAY CUSTOM

PALMA BIJE,
NIE JA BIJE,
A WIELKANOC ZA TIGIEN,
MEANING,
THE PALM IS BEATING,
I AM NOT BEATING,
EASTER IS IN A WEEK.

Submitter comment: STELLA KRZYZANOWSKI LEARNED THIS FROM HER MOTHER JULIA
WASIELEWSKI, THIS IS A SAYING ASSOCIATED WITH PALM SUNDAY,
WHEN YOU COME FROM CHURCH WITH YOUR PALM AND TAP EVERYONE IN
THE HOUSE WITH THE PALM, SAYING THE WORDS LISTED. IT IS
PROBABLY ASSOCIATED WITH THE FACT THAT PALM SUNDAY LEAVES
ONLY ONE WEEK LEFT TO LENT. THIS IS THE LAST CHANCE TO DO PENANCE.
IT IS THE PALM (WHICH WAS USED TO SHOW HONOR TOWARD CHRIST)
WHICH INFLICTS THE PAIN (SUPPOSEDLY), NOT THE LOWLY SINNER HOLDING
THE PALM.
THIS IS A KIND OF RITUAL BEATING OR RITUAL WHIPPING, A SYMBOLIC
GESTURE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: 663 Palm Sunday
Favorites
SPEECH -- Gesture

Date learned: 10-07-1977

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HOLY THURSDAY, HOLY WEEK CUSTOMS

PILGRIMAGE TO THE CHURCHES: ON HOLY THURSDAY IN THE EVENING EVERYBODY
WALKS TO EACH OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCHES IN THE AREA, THE CHURCHES ARE
DECORATED FOR THE COMING OF CHRIST. PRAYERS AND/OR A ROSARY ARE SAID
AT EACH CHURCH.

Submitter comment: THEIR FAMILY HAS DONE THIS FOR MANY YEARS IN WYANDOTTE, SOUTHGATE,
AND DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE

Subject headings: 663 Holy Thursday

Date learned: 04-00-1979

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ZULU PARADE IN NEW ORLEANS ON MARDI GRAS

IN THE ZULU PARADE, DARK-SKINNED BLACKS DRESS AS THE ZULU KING
AND HIS ATTENDANTS. KING ZULU IS SUPPOSED TO BE SOME KING WHO
LIVED IN AFRICA. THESE MASKERS RIDE ON A FLOAT DECORATED WITH
AFRICAN ORNAMENTS. SOME WEAR GRASS SKIRTS AND VERY COLORFUL
BEADS. WALKING ALONG THE FLOAT ARE MANY OTHERS IN AFRICAN
GARBS. THE FLOAT STOPS NOW AND THEN ALONG THE ROAD AND THE
MASKERS GIVE COCONUTS TO PEDESTRIANS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD

Subject headings: 663 Mardi Gras
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Typical Elements of a Festive Pattern

Date learned: 02-00-1979

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LITHUANIAN-AMERICAN PALM SUNDAY CUSTOMS

WHEN THE FAMILY WOULD COME HOME FROM CHURCH, THEY WOULD HIT
EACH OTHER WITH THE PALMS THAT THEY HAD RECEIVED, IN ORDER TO
REMIND THE INDIVIDUAL THAT HOLY WEEK IS BEGINNING AND THE
PASSION AND DEATH OF CHRIST WAS SOON TO BEGIN.

Where learned: WEST VIRGINIA ; MINDEN

James Callow Keyword(s): RITUAL WHIPPING

Subject headings: 663 Palm Sunday

Date learned: 00-00-1924

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WHY GYPSIES MUST STEAL

AT THE SITE OF JESUS' CRUCIFIXION, THERE WERE GYPSIES ALL AROUND.
ONE OF THE GYPSIES RAN UP TO THE CROSS AND STOLE ONE OF THE NAILS
HOLDING JESUS TO THE CROSS. JESUS THANKED THE GYPSIE, AND THIS IS
WHY GYPSIES MUST STEAL.

Where learned: DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): CRUCIFIXION

Subject headings: 663 Holy Thursday

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PONCZKIE DAY

THE DAY BEFORE LENT, IS PONCZKIE DAY TO THE POLISH. THEY EAT DONUTS
FILLED WITH DARK JELLY, USUALLY PLUM FLAVORED. THESE DONUTS ARE
CALLED PONCZKIES. THEY REPRESENT ALL SWEETS WHICH ARE GIVEN UP FOR
LENT. THEY EAT THEIR FILL ON THIS DAY SINCE THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE
TO HAVE THEM FOR A WHILE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES

Subject headings: 663 Mardi Gras

Date learned: 00001920S ; 02-16-1980

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PACZKI DAY

PACZKI DAY IS THE POLISH EQUIVALENT OF MARDI GRAS. ON THE TUESDAY
BEFORE ASH WEDNESDAY, POLISH FAMILIES ATTEMPT TO COMPENSATE FOR THE
GOODIES AND SNACKS THAT THEY'LL SACRIFICE DURING LENT. SO POLISH
PEOPLE EAT UP ALL THE PACZKI THEY POSSIBLY CAN.

Submitter comment: PACZKI ARE JELLY DONUTS. USUALLY, WOMEN BAKE DONUTS FOR
DAYS JUST TO PROVIDE A LARGE SELECTION ON PACZKI DAY.

Where learned: DETROIT

Subject headings: 663 Ash Wednesday

Date learned: CA00001890S ; 01-13-1980

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ITALIAN LENT CUSTOM

DURING LENT FOR ONE WEEK, ITALIANS CANNOT EAT MEAT FROM ANY ANIMAL.
THEY CAN ONLY RECIEVE COMMUNION IF NOTHING HAS BEEN EATEN FROM
MIDNIGHT SATURDAY THROUGH COMMUNION TIME ON SUNDAY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

Subject headings: 663 Lent

Date learned: CA00001974

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FRIDAYS

EVERY FRIDAY DURING LENT, CATHOLICS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO EAT MEAT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GARDEN CITY

Subject headings: 663 Lent

Date learned: CA00001980

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SHROVE TUESDAY CUSTOM ( THE DAY BEFORE ASH WEDNESDAY)

ON SHROVE TUESDAY YOU MUST EAT PANCAKES INSTEAD OF MEAT.

Submitter comment: THIS IS TO GET RID OF FATS AND SHORTENINGS IN THE HOUSE BEFORE THE
LENTEN SEASON. THE LAST DAY OF RESERVES.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: 663 Lent
Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals

Date learned: 00-00-1932

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HOLY WEEK CUSTOM

DURING HOLY THURSDAY AND FRIDAY OF HOLY WEEK WOMEN OF THE VILLAGE
DRESS BOTH DAYS IN BLACK AND DO NOT LEAVE THEIR HOMES. FOOD IS PREPA
RED ON WEDNESDAY OF HOLY WEEK AND NO WORK IS DONE ON THOSE TWO DAYS.
PREPARED

Submitter comment: A PRACTICE FROM THE INFORMANT'S HOMETOWN OF SABINAS IN MEXICO.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): COLOR SYMBOLISM

Subject headings: 663 Holy Thursday
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting
ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Dress Overall body coverUpper body and arms
BELIEF -- Prayer
BELIEF -- Color

Date learned: 11-00-1981

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HOLY WEEK CUSTOM

AN ITALIAN CUSTOM FOR HOLY THURSDAY IS TO VISIT SEVEN CHURCHES.
A FAMILY WOULD SPEND A HALF-HOUR IN EACH CHURCH AND SAY PRAYERS AS A
FORM OF PENANCE.

Submitter comment: THIS IS DONE IN ITALY BUT NOT IN THE UNITED STATES. THE FAMILY
WOULD WALK TO EACH CHURCH, SO THEY PICKED THOSE THAT WERE CLOSE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

Subject headings: 663 Holy Thursday
686 Seven / Sevenths / Several
Favorites
BELIEF -- Church
BELIEF -- Prayer

Date learned: 02-25-1982

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PALMS RECEIVED ON PALM SUNDAY SHOULD BE PLACED ON THE FOUR CORNERS
OF ONE'S PROPERTY TO KEEP AWAY NATURAL DISASTERS.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT HEARD THIS BELIEF FROM HIS MOTHER, WHO IS OF POLISH
HERITAGE, BUT NEITHER ONE TAKES THIS BELIEF SERIOUSLY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FRASER

Subject headings: 663 Palm Sunday
686 Fourths / Quarters
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of space: distance, height, depth
BELIEF -- Weather sign or control

Date learned: 03-00-1982

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WE CELEBRATE A HOLIDAY IN GERMANY CALLED "FAST NACH." IT IS LIKE
HALLOWEEN ONLY IS IS CELEBRATED IN FEBRUARY. ALL THE CHILDREN
AND ADULTS DRESS UP IN COSTUMES AND HAVE A PARADE TO CHASE AWAY
THE GHOSTS. WE CAN NOT EAT MEAT ON THIS DAY, SO WE EAT DONUTS
INSTEAD. THIS IS DONE IN MOST SMALL TOWNS IN GERMANY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): ABSTINENCE ; CARNIVAL ; FASTNACHT

Subject headings: 663 Mardi Gras
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- February
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Typical Elements of a Festive Pattern
Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals
Food Drink -- Pastry Sweet Dessert
BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter

Date learned: 02-00-1982

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HOLY THURSDAY

MRS. KEHOE'S FAMILY ALWAYS VISITED TEN CHURCHES ON HOLY
THURSDAY. IT USED TO BE A CATHOLIC TRADITION.
THE CHURCHES WERE SET UP WITH BEAUTIFUL FLOWER ARANGEMENTS
ON THE ALTARS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS

Subject headings: 663 Holy Thursday
686 First / Once / One / Newness
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church

Date learned: 12-03-1982

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PALM SUNDAY

MRS. KEHOE'S MOTHER ALWAYS TOOK FOUR PALM BRANCHES FROM THE
SUNDAY MASS AND WEAVED THEM TOGETHER TO FORM A PYRAMID TYPE
ARRANGEMENT THAT WOULD REMIND THE FAMILY OF CHRIST.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS

Subject headings: 663 Palm Sunday

Date learned: 12-03-1982

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