Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for P425 returned 237 results.
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
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
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
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
WHEN YAWNING YOU MUST COVER YOUR MOUTH IN ORDER
TO KEEP AWAY BAD SPIRITS FROM ENTERING YOUR BODY.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Body part Senses Mouth, teeth, lips, tongue BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1945
PHYSIOLOGICAL BELIEF-CUSTOM
AMERICAN INDIANS WOULD ISOLATE A WOMAN DURING HER MENSTRUAL
CYCLE BECAUSE IT WAS BELIEVED SHE WAS CONTAMINATED BY EVIL SPIRITS
DURING THIS TIME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CLINTON TOWNSHIP
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 09-00-1982
SAYINGS
IF IT IS RAINING OUTSIDE WHILE THE SUN IS SHINING, THE DEVIL IS
BEATING HIS WIFE. PUT A FRYING PAN TO THE GROUND AND YOU CAN HEAR
THE DEVIL.
Where learned: NEW YORK
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Devil Demon |
Date learned: 01-00-0198
IT IS BELIEVED THAT IF YOU WANT TO INVOKE THE DEVIL, YOU REPEAT
HIS NAME WITHOUT STOPPING FOR 24 HOURS. IF DURING THAT TIME YOU
SAY: "OH MY GOD" YOU WILL FIND YOURSELF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE OCEAN.
Where learned: GUADELOUPE
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour BELIEF -- Prayer BELIEF -- Word Letter BELIEF -- Number P686.24 |
Date learned: 00-00-1968
CONVERSATIONS FROM THE DEAD
GO TO THE CEMETERY AND STICK A PIN INTO SOMEONE'S GRAVE AND YOU
SHOULD HEAR THE CONVERSATIONS OF THE EVIL SPIRITS.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT WAS VERY INFORMATIVE AND HAD A GOOD MEMORY.
Where learned: DETROIT ; NORWEST THEATER
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 01-30-1984
TO CALL BACK SOMEONE YOU LOVE FROM THE DEAD
PLACE A LETTER WRITTEN TO A DECEASED MEMBER OF THE FAMILY ON TOP
OF A GLASS OF WATER AND PLACE IT UNDER YOUR BED. YOUR BELOVED ONE
WILL COME AND VISIT YOU IN PEACE. BEWARE: NEVER PERFORM THIS TASK
ON A FULL MOON NIGHT OR EVIL SPIRITS WILL HAUNT YOU.
Where learned: DETROIT ; NORWEST THEATER
James Callow Keyword(s): CONJURATION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Moon BELIEF -- Word Letter |
Date learned: 01-30-1984
WHILE WORKING AT AN ORPHANAGE IN PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI IN
1980, I MET A WOMAN NAMED MADAME PAPION. MADAME WAS A
DEVOUT CATHOLIC, YET ALSO A BELIEVER IN THE POWER OF THE
EVIL SPIRIT TO TAKE POSSESSION OF ONE'S BODY. SHE INFORMED
ME ABOUT HER SON WHO RECENTLY WAS POSSESSED. HE WOKE UP
DURING THE EVENING WITH HIS WHOLE BODY SHAKING AND HIS TEETH
CHATTERING AGAINST EACH OTHER. MADAME POURED HOLY WATER
OVER HIS BODY, AND IMMEDIATELY HIS SHAKING AND CHATTERING
STOPPED. HER SON KNEW NOTHING ABOUT THIS EVENT THE
FOLLOWING MORNING.
Submitter comment:
VOODOO BELIEFS ARE VERY PREVALENT IN HAITI, AND WATER
BLESSED BY A CATHOLIC PRIEST, HOLY WATER, IS OFTEN USED
TO CURE A PERSON FROM POSSESSION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color |
Date learned: 01-00-1980
A FRIEND TOLD ME HE KNEW A LADY, HIS MOTHER'S FRIEND,
WHO HUNG SEVERAL EARS OF CORN ON HER PORCH JUST
ABOVE HER DOOR. HE SAID THIS WAS DONE TO KEEP OUT
EVIL SPIRITS. THIS WAS SOME SIGN THAT SHE BELIEVED
IN VOODOO.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Bad luck |
WHEN I WAS YOUNGER, MY FAMILY VISITED MY
COUSINS IN ILLINOIS ON A YEARLY BASIS.
EVERY TIME I STAYED WITH MY GRANDFATHER I ALWAYS
NOTICED THAT HE HAD A COPPER BRACLET ON.
AFTER YEARS OF QUESTIONING HIM AND GETTING NO
RESPONSE HE FINALLY TOLD ME IT WAS TO
KEEP THE ARTHRITIS DEVIL AWAY.
Submitter comment:
MY GRANDFATHER WORKED ON A FARM ALL OF HIS LIFE
AND TO THIS DAY HE DOES NOT HAVE ARTHRITIS.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; TAYLOR
Keyword(s): AILMENT ; Arthritis ; Bracelet ; Copper ; CURE ; Homeopathy ; PREVENTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 00001970CA
WHEN THE SUN IS SHINING
AND IT IS RAINING OUTSIDE
THE DEVIL IS BEATING HIS WIFE.
Submitter comment: LEARNED IT FROM A FRIEND AS A CHILD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew |
Date learned: 00-00-1985
MY GRANDMA TOLD ME ABOUT THE SUPERSTITION ABOUT
HANGING A RED RIBBON ON A PRETTY BABY'S CRIB
TO WARD OFF BAD SPIRITS. RED IS SUPPOSED
TO KEEP THE DEVIL AWAY.
MY GRANDMA TOLD ME THIS STORY:
WHEN HER SISTER WAS BORN A FRIEND
OF THEIR MOTHER'S WOULD COME TO
THEIR HOUSE AND THE BABY, SHIRLEY, WOULD
SCREAM, OTHERWISE SHE WAS A GOOD BABY.
FINALLY ANOTHER FRIEND OF THEIR MOTHER'S
CAME TO THE HOUSE AND LOOKED AT SHIRLEY
AND TOLD THEM THAT SHE HAD KNOBS ON
THE BACK OF HER HEAD WITH FUZZIES
ON THEM. THIS LADY TOLD THEM TO
CUT OFF THE FUZZIES AND BURY THEM
ONE BY ONE AND PRAY.
WHEN ALL THE FUZZIES WERE CUT OFF
SHIRLEY WAS BACK TO NORMAL. THE LADY
FRIEND WHO HAD HELPED TOLD THEM THAT
SHIRLEY HAD BEEN BEWITCHED BY THE MOTHER'S FRIEND.
SHE TOLD THEM TO PUT A RED RIBBON ON
SHIRLEY TO KEEP HER SAFE FROM THE DEVIL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Curse BELIEF -- Color |
Date learned: 00001920CA
IF A LULL OCCURS IN A CONVERSATION AT TEN OF OR TEN AFTER THE
HOUR, GOD IS GIVING A WARNING THAT THE DEVIL IS LISTENING.
Submitter comment:
I FIRST HEARD OF THIS WHEN THE INFORMANT SAID "TEN OF, TEN
AFTER" WHEN A LULL OCCURED IN A PHONE CONVERSATION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 First / Once / One / Newness Favorites BELIEF -- Gods BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 11-00-1985
"THE NEW JERSEY DEVIL"
THE NEW JERSEY DEVIL IS A CREATURE BORN OF A WITCH IN THE
MID-1800'S. IT WAS BORN WITH THE BODY OF A NORMAL BABY,
EXCEPT THAT IT HAD WINGS, A FORKED TONGUE, HORNS, AND A TAIL.
IT HISSED AT THE MID-WIFE, WHO IMMEDIATELY HAD A HEART ATTACK
AND DIED. THE DEVIL THEN FLEW UP THE CHIMNEY. IT GREW TO
ADULTHOOD, AND NOW HAS THE FACE OF LUCIFER. TODAY, IT LIVES IN
THE PINE BARRENS OF WEST CENTRAL NEW JERSEY. IT IS STILL
SEEN TODAY.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT HEARD THIS STORY FROM HIS GRANDMOTHER, WHO WOULD
SCARE HIM BY THREATENING TO TAKE HIM TO THE PINE BARRENS.
EVERY SO OFTEN, ARTICLES APPEAR IN NEW JERSEY NEWSPAPERS
ABOUT SIGHTINGS OF THE DEVIL. THIS IS ALSO THE SOURCE OF THE
NAME OF THE NEW JERSEY DEVILS HOCKEY TEAM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Devil Demon |
Date learned: 11-00-1985
MY INFORMANT TOLD ME OF A SUPERSTITION THAT HIS MOTHER
PASSED ON TO HIM. IT SAID THAT BETWEEN CHRISTMAS AND
NEW YEAR'S DAY YOU SHOULD TAKE THE GARBAGE OUT OF YOUR
HOUSE BECAUSE THE DEVIL MIGHT GET INTO IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Devil Demon |
Date learned: 11-10-1985
BLACK-AMERICAN BELIEF
IF YOU SAY YOUR PRAYERS AFTER YOU GO TO BED, YOU
SAY THEM TO THE DEVIL.
Submitter comment: MOTHER USED TO REMIND HIM OF THIS BEFORE BED-TIME.
Where learned: ALABAMA
James Callow Keyword(s): BEDTIME
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour BELIEF -- Prayer |
BLACK-AMERICAN BELIEF
IF IT RAINS WHILE THE SUN IS SHINING,
STICK A NEEDLE IN THE GROUND AND YOU
YOU CAN HEAR THE DEVIL BEATING HIS
WIFE.
Submitter comment:
AS A CHILD, I TRIED THIS NUMEROUS
TIMES TO NO EFFECT.
Where learned: MISSISSIPPI
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Sun BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew |
Date learned: 00-00-1958