Dr. James T. Callow publications
Browse by
Questions or comments on this site? Please email davidsor@udmercy.edu.
The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for F0101 returned 461 results.
SUPERSTITION
BLACK-EYED PEAS COOKED ON NEW YEARS DAY BRINGS GOOD LUCK THROUGHOUT
THE YEAR.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT CONTINUES TO PRACTICE THE ACT WHICH SHE FIRST
BEGAN IN YAZOO CITY, MISSISSIPPI, EVEN THOUGH SHE DISMISSES
THE BELIEF AS NONSENSE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; DEPARTMENT STORE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F 57 F 57.2 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals |
Date learned: 02-13-1979
FAMILY SUPERSTITION
FOR GOOD LUCK IN THE NEW YEAR, YOU MUST PLACE A QUATER OUTSIDE YOUR
FRONT DOOR ON NEW YEAR'S DAY.
THEN REMOVE IT AT THE END OF THE DAY.
Submitter comment:
THIS FAMILY HAS BEEN DOING THIS FOR AS MANY GENERATIONS BACK
AS THEY KNOW OF
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
James Callow Keyword(s): COIN MONEY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's BELIEF -- Measure of time Year BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
CABBAGE IS COOKED ON NEW YEAR'S DAY FOR GOOD LUCK. THE LEAVES
ON THE CABBAGE REPRESENT MONEY THAT PEOPLE BELIEVE WILL COME TO
THOSE EATING IT.
Submitter comment: SYMBOL
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
Date learned: 02-00-1979
DARK HAIRED MAN MUST BE FIRST TO ENTER HOUSE ON NEW YEAR'S DAY FOR
YOU TO HAVE LUCK THE ENTIRE YEAR.
Submitter comment: SCOTTISH SUPERSTITION
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN HEIGHTS
Keyword(s): FIRST-FOOTING
Date learned: 01-00-1979
NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION
NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION:
THAT WHEN I'M BLUE
I'LL THINK OF YOU,
'TWILL GIVE THE WORLD
A ROSY HUE}
Where learned: VERSE FROM HIS POSTCARD COLLECTION
Keyword(s): FRIENDSHIP. ; RHYME: AABA
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Custom Festival C840.0101 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's |
Date learned: 12-29-1919
CLOSE THE DOOR TO CARE AND WORRY.
CLOSE THE DOOR TO CARE AND WORRY,
FLING IT WIDE TO MIRTH AND CHEER,
WITH GLADNESS MAY YOU GREET THE YULETIDE,
AND USHER IN A HAPPY NEW YEAR.
Where learned: VERSE FROM HIS POSTCARD COLLECTION
Keyword(s): GOOD WISHES ; RHYME: ABCB
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Greetings, wishes, prayers, cards |
SUPERSTITION
HAVING WET CLOTHES IN THE HOUSE ON NEW
YEAR'S DAY MEANS YOU ARE WASHING
SOMEONE OUT OF THE FAMILY.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's |
Date learned: 00-00-1965
KWANZA
KWANZA WAS CREATED BY DR. RON KARENGA FOR BLACK AMERICANS.
IT STARTS DECEMBER 26TH AND ENDS JANUARY 1ST.
BLACK, RED, AND GREEN ARE ITS COLORS. BLACK IS FOR OUR PEOPLE
RED FOR OUR CONTINUING STRUGGLE AND GREEN FOR LAND AND HOPE.
KANZA HAS SEVEN PRINCIPLES OF THE BLACK VALUE SYSTEM, CALLED THE
NGUZO SABA.
1. UMOJA -(UNITY)- TO STRIVE FOR AND MAINTAIN UNITY IN THE FAMILY,
COMMUNITY, NATION AND RACE.
2. KUJUCHAGULIA -(SELF-DETERMINATION)- TO DEFINE
OURSELVES, NAME OURSELVES,
CREATE FOR OURSELVES AND SPEAK
FOR OURSELVES RATHER THAT TO ALLOW OTHERS
TO DO THESE THINGS FOR US.
3. UJIMA -(COLLECTIVE WORK AND RESPONSIBILITY)- TO BUILD AND
MAINTAIN OUR COMMUNITY TOGETHER TO MAKE OUR SISTERS AND BROTHERS
PROBLEMS OUR PROBLEMS AND TO SOLVE THEM TOGETHER.
4. UJAMAA -(COOPERATIVE ECONOMICS)- TO BUILD AND MAINTAIN OUR
OWN STORES,
SHOPS, AND OTHER BUSINESSES AND TO PROFIT FROM THEM TOGETHER.
5. NIA -(PURPOSE)- TO MAKE OUR COLLECTIVE VOCATION THE BUILDING AN
DEVELOPING OF OUR COMMUNITY IN ORDER TO RESTORE OUR PEOPLE TO THEIR
TRADITIONAL GREATNESS.
6. KUUMBA -(CREATIVITY)- TO DO ALWAYS AS MUCH
AS WE CAN IN THE WAY WE
CAN, IN ORDER TO LEAVE OUR COMMUNITY MORE BEAUTIFUL AND BENEFICIAL
THAN WHEN WE INHERITED IT.
7. IMANI -(FAITH)- TO BELIEVE WITH ALL OUR
HEARTS IN OUR PEOPLE, OUR
PARENTS, OUR TEACHERS, OUR LEADERS AND THE
RIGHTEOUSNESS AND VICTORY OF OUR STRUGGLE. MM
CELEBRANTS BRING FOOD AND DRINKS TO SHARE FOR EACH DAY'S FEAST. EAC
CELEBRANT IS GREETED WITH THE WORDS "HABARI GANI" WHICH MEANS WHAT'S
THE NEWS OR WHAT'S HAPPENING. THE RESPONSE IS THAT DAY'S NQUZO SABA
PRINCIPLE.
THE HOUSE IS DECORATED WITH THE COLORS
GREEN, RED, AND BLACK. EVERYONE
GATHERS INTO A SEMICIRCLE. THE TABLE IS SET WITH THE SYMBOLS OF
KWANZA AND EACH PIECE IS EXPLAINED.
A STRAW MAT (MKEKA), THE SYMBOL
FOR OUR HISTORICAL FOUNDATION IN
TADITIONAL AFRICAN CULTURE. A CANDLEHOLDER
(KINARA), THE SYMBOL FOR OUR AFRICAN ANCESTORS. IT HOLDS SEVEN
CANDLES, (MISHUMAA), THREE RED, ONE BLACK, AND THREE GREEN ONES. TH
CANDLES REPRESENT THE SEVEN PRINCIPLES.
(MATUNDA)- TROPICAL FRUIT, VEGETABLES AND NUTS, WHICH REPRESENT THE
YIELD OF TRADITIONAL HARVEST.
EARS OF CORN WHICH REPRESENT THE NUMBER
OF CHILDREN IN THE FAMILY AND UNSHUCKED EARS OF CORN TO REPRESENT
CHILDLESS HOMES TO EXPRESS THE POTENTIAL FOR CHILDREN.
GIFTS, GIVEN ON THE SEVENTH DAY OF KWANZA, ARE MAINLY FOR CHILDREN
AND REPRESENT PARENT'S SATISFACTION
THAT THEIR CHILDREN HAVE ACHIEVED
AND GROWN IN A MANNER THAT GIVES HONOR TO THE FAMILY. THE GIFTS ARE
EXPRESSING THE HISTORY, CULTURE AND COMMITMENT
TO EDUCATION AS A LIBERATING
FORCE. MM
THE ELDERS OF THE FAMILY TAKE SEATS ON EACH SIDE OF THE KWANZA TABLE
SETTING AND THE CEREMONY BEGINS. THE
ELDERS CHARGE YOU TO REMEMBER OUR
ANCESTORS AND TO STRUGGLE FOR A NEW WORLD FOR
OUR CHILDREN. THEY POUR A LIBATION FORM THE UNITY CUP.
A LIBATION IS AN EXPRESSION OF COMMUNICATION AMONG US:
THE LIVING, OUR ANCESTORS AND OUR CHILDREN YET
TO BE BORN.
TO EXPRESS UNITY AS AN IDEAL IN BLACK
COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE WORLD,
THE ELDERS DRINK FROM THE UNITY CUP AND PASS IT TO THE
OTHER MEMBERS OF THE CELEBRATION.
EACH PERSON SHOUTS "HARAMBEE" (LET'S PULL TOGETHER),
THEREBY PLEDGING THEMSELVES TO UNITY.
THE CHILDREN LIGHT A CANDLE FOR EACH
DAY OF THE CELEBRATION WHICH HAS
PASSED AND FOR THE PRESENT DAY. EACH
CELEBRANT EXPRESSES THEIR THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS ABOUT THE PRINCIPLE
FOR THE DAY AND HOW IT AFFECTS THEIR LIVES. MM
KWANZA WAS FOUNDED TO CELEBRATE OUR FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES, OUR
WARMTH AND LOVE, OUR INTERDEPENDENCE AND FREEDOM STRUGGLE AND OUR
JOY AND STRENGTH. BECAUSE WE ARE AN AFRICAN PEOPLE. DR. KARENGA
LOOKING TO THE MOTHERLAND; BORROWED AN IDEAL; USED CREATIVITY AND
INGENUITY, AND MIXED IT WITH THE BLACK EXPERIENCE IN AMERICA. HE
CREATED MATUNDA YA KWANKA (KISWAHILI),
FOR FIRST FRUIT, THE CELEBRATION
COMMONLY KNOWN AS KWANZA.
KWANZA IS AN EXTENDED FAMILY CELEBRATION AND AN OCCASION FOR
STRENGTHENING FAMILY CONSCIOUSNESS AND SOLIDARITY WHILE SERVING AS A
EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE FOR CHILDREN IN SOCIAL AND SPIRITUAL MATTERS.
MUCH TIME IS SPENT REFLECTING ON THE PAST YEAR, MAKING DECISIONS
ABOUT IMPORTANT MATTERS THAT AFFECT THE FAMILY, WISHING RELATIVES A
PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR AND ENJOYING FOOD, MUSIC AND GAMES.
IN THE U.S. THE FIRST FRUIT CELEBRATION, KWANZA, IS A SYMBOLIC EVENT
DURING THE FESTIVAL BLACK PEOPLE COME
TOGETHER TO CELEBRATE OUR AFRICAN
HERITAGE, TO GIVE THANKS TO OUR ANCESTORS,
TO REAFFIRM THE BELIEF THAT ELDERS SHOULD BE
RESPECTED, TO REINFORCE OUR VALUE FRAMEWORK FOR OUR CHILDREN
AND TO CELEBRATE THE SEVEN PRINCIPLES OF THE BLACK VALUE SYSTEM,
THE NGUZO SABA.
Submitter comment:
I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN A CELEBRATION OF KWANZA LAST
YEAR AT A FRIEND'S HOUSE. SHE (MARLA PITTS), HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO
CELEBRATE IT WHILE ON HER VACATION IN 1975.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOLS
Date learned: 00-00-1978 ; 00-00-1975
FOOD SERVED ON NEW YEAR'S DAY
IF YOU EAT PEAS ON NEW YEAR'S DAY, YOU WILL BE FINANCIALLY
STABLE THROUGHOUT THE NEW YEAR.
Where learned: DETROIT
Date learned: 01-00-1968
FESTIVAL CUSTOM
THE MALAYSIANS BELIEVE THAT TO SWEEP THE FLOOR ON CHINESE NEW YEAR
IS BAD BECAUSE ALL THE GOOD LUCK IS SWEPT AWAY.
Submitter comment:
NO FIXED DATE WAS GIVEN FOR THE CELEBRATION OF CHINESE NEW YEAR IN
MALAYSIA. GENERALLY THIS HOLIDAY IS CELEBRATED IN JANUARY OR
FEBRUARY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Festival BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.42 |
Date learned: 01-00-1979
FESTIVAL CUSTOM
ON CHINESE NEW YEAR, THE MALAYSIANS BELIEVE THAT ONE SHOULD NOT
CURSE, SCOLD, OR BE MEAN TO OTHERS AND THAT THEY SHOULD START OUT
THE NEW YEAR ON THE RIGHT FOOT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Festival BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Measure of time Year |
Date learned: 01-00-1979
FESTIVAL CUSTOM
THE MALAYSIANS CELEBRATE THE CHINESE NEW YEAR BY GIVING GIFTS
OF MONEY TO THE CHILDREN AND UNMARRIED MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY FOR
GOOD LUCK. THE AMOUNT OF MONEY GIVEN DEPENDS UPON THE RELATIONSHIP
BETWEEN THE TWO PEOPLE. ACQUAINTANCES ARE GIVEN ONE OR TWO DOLLARS.
PARENTS WILL GIVE MORE, SOMETIMES AS MUCH AS TWO OR THREE HUNDRED
DOLLARS. THE AMOUNT OF MONEY GIVEN IS ALWAYS AN EVEN NUMBER.
DEPENDING UPON THE SIZE OF THE FAMILY. AN ONLY CHILD RECEIVES MUCH
MORE-SOMETIMES AS MUCH AS TWO OR THREE HUNDRED DOLLARS. THE AMOUNT
OF MONEY GIVEN IS ALWAYS AN EVEN NUMBER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
Date learned: 12-00-1978
CUSTOM FESTIVAL
ON CHINESE NEW YEAR, THE MALAYSIANS BRING GIFTS OF COOKIES, CAKES,
AND FRUIT AND IN RETURN THEY ARE GIVEN A SMALL GIFT AS A TOKEN OF
APPRECIATION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
NEW YEAR'S DAY IN LAGOS, NIGERIA
IN PREPARING FOR THE NEW YEAR ON DECEMBER 31 EVERYONE DRINKS A LOT A
GOES TO BED VERY LATE, BUT THIS ISN'T THE BIG EVENT.
AT 6:00 A.M. ON JANUARY 1 WE ALL AWOKE TO THE SOUND OF A CANNON
GOING OFF.
IN ABOUT 20 MINUTES EVERYONE IN THE VILLAGE MUST BE IN THE VILLAGE
SQUARE.
THE VOODOO MAN IS ABOUT TO ARRIVE.
HE IS DRESSED IN ANIMAL SKINS AND MATERIALS WITH A ANIMAL HEAD AND
HORNS.
NOTHING ON HIM IS VISIBLE.
HIS MAIN OBJECT AT THIS TIME IS TO CHASE EVERYONE AND IF HE
CATCHES YOU HE WILL HIT YOU WITH A SWITCH.
HE CARRIES BIG KNIVES THAT HE SWINGS BACK AND FORTH AND HE THROWS
THEM THROUGH THE AIR.
HE SEARCHES HOUSE FOR HOUSE TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE IS PFESENT.
IF YOU ARE SCARED TO COME OUT HE WILL COME IN AND BRING YOU OUT.
THROUGHOUT THE DAY EVERYONE FORMS ONTO GROUPS AND GOES ABOUT
SINGING AND DANCING AND DRINKING.
TOWARDS THE END OF THE DAY HE GOES FROM HOUSE TO HOUSE
TO RECIEVE GIFTS OF MONEY AND HE BLESSES THE HOUSE AND ANY
SMALL KIDS.
IF YOU GET NEAR THE WATER HE WILL NOT COME AFTER YOU.
Submitter comment:
THE SIGHT OF THE VOODOO MAN WAS TOO MUCH FOR ME.
I TRIED TO HIDE IN MY ROOM AND LOCK THE DOOR, BUT HE CAME WITH HIS
FOLLOWERS AND GOT ME.
WORD HAD SPREAD FROM DAY ONE THAT AN AMERICAN HAD COME TO THE
VILLAGE.
I DID EVENTUALLY JOIN IN AND FOLLOW THE CROWD.
Where learned: NIGERIA ; LAGOS
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve |
Date learned: 10-00-1979
NEW YEAR'S WISH
IF YOU WASH UP EVERYTHING IN THE ENTIRE HOUSE ON NEW YEARS EVE AND
GO INTO THE NEW YEAR'S CLEAN YOU WILL GET SOME MONEY
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve BELIEF -- Measure of time Year BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 10-00-1979
FOOD FOR A GOOD NEW YEAR
EATING BLACKEYED PEAS WILL BRING YOU GOOD LUCK
Submitter comment: YOU SHOULD EAT THEM ON NEW YEAR'S DAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 10-00-1979
ANGER ON NEW YEAR'S DAY WILL STAY THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's BELIEF -- Measure of time Year |
Date learned: 03-00-1980
NEW YEAR TRADITIONS
THE IRANIAN NEW YEAR IS CELEBRATED ON THE FIRST DAY OF SPRING,
MARCH 20. ON THIS DAY IT IS CUSTOMARY TO VISIT FRIENDS AND EXCHANGE
GIFTS. PARENTS GIVE GIFTS OF MONEY TO THEIR CHILDREN. TYPICAL FOODS
ARE TOASTED MELON SEEDS, SWEETBREADS AND OTHER SWEETS.
Submitter comment:
THESE CUSTOMS WERE PRACTICED IN THE INFORMANT'S HOME
TOWN OF SHIRAZ, IRAN.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- March 20 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Spring |
Date learned: 03-00-1980
NEW YEAR'S SUPERSTITION
GREEK NEW YEAR'S BREAD HAS A COIN IN IT AND WHOMEVER GETS IT WILL
HAVE GOOD LUCK THROUGHOUT THE COMING YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GARDEN CITY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's BELIEF -- Measure of time Year BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: CA0001970
ON NEW YEAR'S DAY, A MALE ENTERS THE FRONT DOOR FIRST BRINGING
GOOD LUCK FOR THE NEXT YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TROY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's |
Date learned: 00-00-1958