Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for F545 returned 257 results.
AFTER A WEDDING THE FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS OF THE MARRIED COUPLE
GATHER AROUND THEIR WINDOW AND SING AND MAKE NOISE.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS DONE TO DISTRACT THEIR FREINDS DURING THE HONEYMOON
THIS WAS ORIGINALLY LEARNED IN WATERTOWN, NEW YORK
Where learned: NEW YORK ; WATERTOWN
James Callow Keyword(s): CHARIVARI
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Serenade Charivari CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
AT AN ITALIAN WEDDING IT IS TRADITIONAL FOR THE BRIDE AND GROOM TO
PASS OUT CANDY AND COOKIES TO THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY. OFTEN
THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY WILL SHOW UP FOR THE WEDDING. THE IDEA IS
THE IDEA IS THAT THE NEW HUSBAND AND WIFE ARE GIVING THIER FIRST
PARTY FOR THE COMMUNITY
Submitter comment: THIS WAS ORIGINALLY LEARNED IN WATERTOWN, NEW YORK
Where learned: NEW YORK ; WATERTOWN
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Date learned: 00-00-1942
KEEP YOUR SKIRTTAIL DOWN AND YOUR UNDERWEAR UP.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT TOLD ME THAT HER MOTHER USED TO GIVE HER THIS ADVICE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- B545 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 03-00-1982
THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF A MARRIAGE ENGAGEMENT SHOULD BE ANNOUNCED
THE DAY AFTER BOTH DREAM OF THEIR MARRIAGE. THIS
BRINGS GOOD LUCK AND SUCCESS TO THE FUTURE MARRIAGE.
Where learned: CANADA ; COLLECTED BY MAIL ; MONTREAL
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage BELIEF -- Dreams Dreams about weddings, funerals, and other crucial moments of life BELIEF -- Good luck Crucial moment of life |
Date learned: 00-00-1970
ITALIAN MARRIAGE CUSTOMS
WHEN AN ITALIAN FAMILY CELEBRATES A WEDDING IT IS CUSTOMARY AND
GOOD LUCK TO MAKE CANDIED ALMONDS FOR THE GUESTS. ABOUT FIVE OF
THESE ALMONDS ARE GATHERED IN A LACE MATERIAL AND TIED WITH A BOW.
THEY ARE EITHER KEPT FOR GOOD LUCK OR EATEN AS A CANDY.
Submitter comment:
THE GUESTS USUALLY EAT THESE CANDIES AS MOST OF THEM
LACK AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE ITALIAN BELIEF THAT THESE CANDIES BRING
GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals |
UKRAINIAN WEDDING RECEPTION EVENT
FOLLOWING THE MEAL AT THE RECEPTION, A RELATIVE OF THE
BRIDE, USUALLY AN AUNT OR HER GODMOTHER, SITS WITH A PLATE
ON HER LAP. THE GUESTS WISHING TO DANCE WITH THE BRIDE, TRY
TO BREAK THE PLATE BY THROWING A COIN AT IT. IF THEY BREAK
THE PLATE THEY CAN DANCE WITH THE BRIDE. IF THE PLATE DOES
NOT BREAK, THEY CAN TRY AGAIN. EACH BROKEN PLATE MEANS
GOOD LUCK FOR THE BRIDE.
Submitter comment:
THIS CEREMONY TOOK PLACE WHEN MY MOTHER WAS MARRIED IN
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK IN 1939.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; ROCHESTER
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage BELIEF -- Good luck Eating utensils BELIEF -- Good luck Crucial moment of life |
Date learned: 00001950S
LEBANESE BELIEF
WHEN A LEBANESE COUPLE IN LEBANON GET MARRIED, THE BRIDE IS GIVEN
A HUNK OF RAISED DOUGH SO THAT SHE MAY STICK IT ON THE DOORWAY,
AS SHE IS CARRIED OVER THE THRESHOLD.
IF THE DOUGH STICKS THE LEBANESE PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT THE COUPLE
WILL HAVE MANY CHILDREN.
Submitter comment: SOME LEBANESE-AMERICANS STILL PRACTICE THIS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | Observation Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 00001960S
WEST GERMAN DATING AND COURTSHIP CUSTOM.
IN PIRMENSENS, WHEN A GIRL DATES A BOY SHE NEVER
BRINGS HIM TO HER HOUSE NOR DOES SHE INTRODUCE HIM
TO ANY OF HER FAMILY MEMBERS. THE BOY AND GIRL MUST
MEET AT A RENDEVOUS AND GO OUT FROM THERE. IF THE
BOY MEETS ANY OF THE GIRL'S FAMILY BEFORE THEY ARE
ENGAGED, IT IS BELIEVED TO BRING BAD LUCK AND THE TWO
WILL NEVER MARRY.
Submitter comment:
LISE REALLY BELIEVES THIS. SHE IS MY MOTHER AND
DOES NOT ALLOW DATES TO COME TO OUR HOUSE UNLESS I
AM ENGAGED TO THE GUY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 00001970S
YOU SHOULD NEVER WEAR BLACK TO A WEDDING OR THE GROOM
WILL DIE EARLY WITHIN THE MARRIAGE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Color Design BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Color |
Date learned: 03-00-1983
NO ONE SHOULD OUT DRESS OR LOOK MORE RADIANT THAN THE
BRIDE AT A WEDDING. THE BRIDE SHOULD BE THE ONLY PERSON
WHO SHOULD LOOK REALLY GOOD. IF SOMEONE OUT DOES THE
BRIDE THEN THEY WILL HAVE BAD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 03-00-1983
OBJECTS USED FOR PREDICTION
AT WEDDING SHOWERS, THE RIBBONS OFF THE BRIDE'S PRESENTS
ARE HANDLED CAREFULLY! FOR EACH RIBBON SHE BREAKS AS SHE
OPENS THE PRESENTS, SHE'S SUPPOSED TO HAVE A CHILD, SO IF SHE
BREAKS FOUR RIBBONS, SHE WILL HAVE FOUR CHILDREN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Number Counting beliefs BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 10-00-1983
THERE IS A TRIBE IN THE NORTHERN PART OF NIGERIA CALLED FULANI.
IF A YOUNG MAN FROM THIS TRIBE WANTS TO MARRY, A CERTAIN RITUAL
WILL BE PERFORMED FOR HIM WHICH THE WHOLE VILLAGE WILL WITNESS.
THE YOUNG MAN WHO WANTS TO MARRY WILL PULL OFF HIS CLOTHES EXCEPT
HIS SHORT PANTS, AND HE WILL BE GIVEN SEVERAL LASHES OF CANE AT THE
BACK. IF HE CRIES, HE WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO MARRY, BECAUSE IT IS
ASSUMED THAT HE IS NOT MATURED TO MARRY. BUT IF HE DOES NOT CRY
THE ELDERS OF THE VILLAGE WILL GLADLY GIVE HIM THE BRIDE TO WED.
Where learned: NIGERIA
James Callow Keyword(s): SWITCHING WHIPPING
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Date learned: 00-00-1965
"DOLLAR DANCE"
WHEN A SPANISH COUPLE GETS MARRIED, THEY DO A SPECIAL
DANCE CALLED THE "DOLLAR DANCE." IN THE MIDDLE OF THE
WEDDING RECEPTION, THE BRIDE AND GROOM, THE ONLY COUPLE
ON THE FLOOR, START DANCING. AFTER THEY'VE DANCED A FEW
MINUTES, ANYONE WHO WANTS TO DANCE WITH EITHER THE BRIDE
OR THE GROOM, MUST FIRST PIN AT LEAST ONE DOLLAR ON THEIR
CLOTHES BEFORE THEY START DANCING. SOMETIMES MEN DANCE
WITH THE GROOM AND WOMEN DANCE WITH THE BRIDE INSTEAD OF
DANCING WITH THE OPPOSITE SEX. THE MONEY FROM THE DANCE
IS USED TO PAY FOR THE COUPLE'S HONEYMOON OR TO HELP THE
COUPLE GET STARTED IN THEIR NEW LIFE.
Submitter comment:
FIVE YEARS AGO, MY BROTHER AND HIS WIFE HAD A "DOLLAR
DANCE" IN THEIR WEDDING RECEPTION.
THE "DOLLAR DANCE" WAS IN HOLLAND, MICHIGAN.
THE DANCE IS AN ENJOYABLE THING TO WATCH.
Where learned: VIRGINIA ; NORFOLK
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Crucial moment of life Life cycle Crucial Moment in Life CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
DURING FAMILY WEDDINGS, AT THE RECEPTION, ALL THE WOMEN
PICK UP THE GROOM, CARRY HIM INTO THE BATHROOM, TAKE
OFF HIS TUXEDO AND LEAVE HIM. HE MUST STAY THERE UNTIL
THE BRIDE DECIDES THAT HE CAN RETURN TO THE CELEBRATION.
"IT WAS A TRADITION IN MY MOTHER'S FAMILY THAT BETWEEN THE
CHURCH CEREMONY AND THE RECEPTION THE IMMEDIATE FAMILY
TOOK THE BRIDE AND GROOM TO A FAIRLY FAMILIAR PLACE
(USUALLY SOMEONE'S HOUSE) AND TIED THEM TO A BANNISTER.
THE FAMILY WOULD THEN LEAVE THE COUPLE. IF THE BRIDE AND
GROOM COULD NOT FREE THEMSELVES BY THE TIME THE RECEPTION
STARTED, THE FAMILY WOULD RESCUE THEM. INSTEAD OF HANDING
DOWN THIS PARTICULAR TRADITION, MY MOTHER AND HER SISTERS
MADE UP A NEW ONE THAT OUR FAMILY COULD HAND DOWN."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Date learned: 00-00-1980 ; 00-00-1970
GREEK ORTHODOX WEDDING TRADITION.
FOR THE GREEK ORTHODOX THE WEDDING BAND IS WORN ON THE RING
FINGER OF THE RIGHT HAND INSTEAD OF THE RING FINGER OF THE LEFT
HAND WHICH MOST CULTURES DO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Dress M248.8 SQ[ 8171 |
A RITE OF THE IBO TRIBE IN NIGERIA IS THAT DURING A
WEDDING CEREMONY THE GROOM'S FAMILY MUST SUPPLY MANY
POTS OF PALM WINE FOR THE CEREMONY. THIS SYMBOLIZES
THE WORTH OF THE GROOM. THE MORE WINE HIS FAMILY
PROVIDES, THE MORE WORTHY IS HE OF HIS BRIDE.
James Callow comment:
MORUF LAYENI, A YORUBA FROM NIGERIA, TOLD ME THAT THESE
CHILDREN MET IN THE FOREST AT MIDNIGHT TO DECIDE WHAT FAMILIES
TO STAY WITH NEXT. I THINK HE CALLED THEM COME-AND-GO CHILDREN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Date learned: 11-13-1987
ARABIC MARRIAGE CUSTOM
IN AN ARABIC MARRIAGE WHEN THE COUPLE IS ABOUT TO GO
ON THEIR HONEYMOON, THE MOTHER OF THE BRIDE GIVES HER
A WHITE HANDKERCHIEF. IF THE BRIDE COMES BACK A VIRGIN
SHE GIVES THE HANDKERCHIEF BACK TO HER MOTHER.
Submitter comment: SHE SAID HER FAMILY USED TO PRACTICE THIS TRADITION.
Where learned: Grandmother
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Date learned: 00-00-1976 ; 11-00-1987
ARABIC MARRIAGE CUSTOM
THE OLDEST UNCLE OF THE BRIDE DECIDES HER HUSBAND AND THE
UNCLE OR FATHER OF THE GROOM GOES TO THE BRIDE'S HOUSE
AND ASKS HER UNCLE FOR PERMISSION FOR THE TWO OF THEM
TO BE MARRIED.
Submitter comment: SHE DOES NOT KNOW IF THIS IS STILL PRACTICED.
Where learned: WHILE VISITING RELATIVES
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Date learned: 00-00-1974 ; 11-00-1987
CHALDEAN WEDDING
BEFORE ANY DATING TAKES PLACE IN A CHALDEAN CULTURE, THE MAN AND
WOMAN MEET ONLY AT WEDDINGS AND AT THE CALDEAN CULTURAL CLUB TO SEE
EACH OTHER. WHEN THEY WANT TO DATE, THE FAMILIES MEET AND THEY GET
ENGAGED AND THEN THEY ARE FINALLY ALLOWED TO DATE. WHEN THEY HAVE
THE ENGAGEMENT THE PRIEST IS PRESENT AT THE BIG ENGAGEMENT PARTY.
FOR THE WEDDING THE GROOM'S FAMILY CANNOT COME TO THE BRIDE'S HOME
BEFORE THE WEDDING AND IS NOT ALLOWED IN THE HOUSE UNTIL A RANSOM IS
PAID TO THE CHILDREN. USUALLY AROUND TWENTY DOLLARS. THE GROOM ALSO
PAY A DOWRY TO THE BRIDE'S PARENTS; IT RUNS AROUND 10,000 AND UP
AND IT IS PAID IN GOLD. IN ASSYRIA THE PRIEST IS HIT WITH KNITTING
NEEDLES AT THE BRIDE'S, ALL IN FUN OF COURSE. AT THE RECEPTION THE
BRIDE AND GROOM RECEIVE MONEY PINNED TO THE BRIDE'S DRESS. THIS IS
SO THEY WILL HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO PAY OFF THE BIG WEDDING EXPENSES
THEY HAVE INCURRED. THE NEWLYWEDS RECEIVE GIFTS FROM PEOPLE WHEN
THEY ARE INVITED TO THEIR HOME AFTER THE WEDDING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Date learned: 10-15-1987 ; 10-24-1987
IF YOU PUT WEDDING CAKE UNDER YOUR PILLOW YOU WILL DREAM ABOUT THE
MAN YOU WISH TO MARRY. IF YOU PUT IT IN THE DEEP FREEZE YOU WILL
POSTPONE THE MEETING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALLEN PARK
James Callow Keyword(s): FREEZER
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Date learned: 10-15-1987 ; 10-14-1987