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 P429 returned 446 results.
LEGEND
IF YOU NEED MONEY, ONE WAY TO GET IT IS TO WRITE A LETTER TO A DEAD
RELATIVE. ADDRESS THE ENVELOPE AND STAMP IT JUST LIKE YOU WERE
MAILING THE LETTER. THEN PUT IT ON TOP OF A GLASS OF WATER AND
PLACE THEM UNDER YOUR BED. WHAT IS SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN IS THAT THE
RELATIVE WILL COME BACK TO YOU AND TELL YOU THE NUMBERS FOR THE
NUMBERS RACKET THE NEXT DAY. SO A LADY DID THIS, SHE WROTE TO HER
DEAD BABY SISTER AND PUT THE LETTER ON A GLASS OF WATER UNDER HER
BED. SHE WOKE UP DURING THE NIGHT WHEN SHE FELT SOMEONE GETTING
INTO BED WITH HER. SHE LOOKED AND IT WAS THE BODY OF AN ADULT WITH
THE HEAD OF HER BABY SISTER. SHE RAN OUT OF THE HOUSE AND RAN
DOWN THE STREET SCREAMING. AND SHE'S BEEN CRAZY EVER SINCE.
Submitter comment:
WHEN MY INFORMANT LEARNED THIS STORY, THE PERSON WHO TOLD IT TO HER
WARNED HER TO BE SURE NOT TO TRY IT. SHE THINKS IT,S A SILLY STORY,
BUT SHE WON'T TRY TO DISPROVE IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
James Callow Keyword(s): DECAPITATION
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Number BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 11-00-1975
TAPE OF MISCELLANOUS INFORMATION
GHOATS, MONETARY SYSTEM,(NIARA & KOBO) DISEASES, WALKING BAREFOOTED,
CARRYING THINGS ON YOUR HEAD, GHOSTS OF CHILDREN, SUPERSTITIONS:
NIGERIAN SUPERSTITION, THEIR ORIGIN, JUJU, MAKING MONEY
USING HEAD OF CHILD, BANSHEE IN IRELAND, NIGERIAN LIGHTENING,
OMENS, CHARMS, GAMES, (MOTHER MAY I?)
WATER DANGEROUS FOR SWIMMING, AMDG FOR LUCK, FESTIVALS
Where learned: NIGERIA ; SOME FROM IRELAND
Date learned: OOOOI96OS
APRIL 30
ON APRIL 30, THE PEOPLE OF GERMANY STUFF THEIR KEYHOLES AND ANY
KIND OF OPENINGS IN THEIR HOUSE WITH LEAVES, IN ORDER TO STOP THE
EVIL SPIRITS OF SPRING FROM ENTERING THE HOUSE.
Submitter comment: TOLD TO THE INFORMANT BY HIS GRANDMOTHER, WHO IS GERMAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- April 30 BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Measure of time Spring |
Date learned: 04-03-1970
GARLIC IN THE WINDOW
"AN OLD WOMAN I KNEW AS A BOY IN WEST VIRGINIA WOULD PUT GARLIC IN
HER WINDOWS EVERY HALLOWEEN TO KEEP GHOSTS AND OTHER SUPERNATURAL
BEINGS OUT OF HER HOUSE."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- October 31 Halloween BELIEF -- Supernatural Being BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 03-27-1970
OMEN
ITALIANS BELIEVE THAT ON HALLOWEEN NIGHT, THE EVE OF ALL SAINTS DAY,
ALL THE DEAD PEOPLE MARCH IN A PROCESSION, WITH THEIR THUMBS AS
CANDLES. IF ONE HEARS A KNOCK ON THEIR WINDOW NEAR MIDNIGHT, IT
IS A SIGN THAT DEATH WILL OCCUR WITHIN THAT HOUSEHOLD WITHIN THE
YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALLEN PARK
| Subject headings: | Observation CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- October 31 Halloween BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 10-00-1971
ON ALL SAINTS' DAY, EXTRA PLATES ARE SET AT THE TABLE FOR DECEASED
MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY.
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- November 1 All Saints CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: NO DATE INDICATED.
"ALL SOUL'S DAY EVE CUSTOM"
ON THE EVE OF ALL SOUL'S DAY (I.E. NOV. 1), A VIGIL CANDLE IS PLACED
ON THE TOMBSTONE OF A DEAD PERSON IN ORDER THAT THE GHOST OF THAT
PERSON CAN FIND ITS WAY BACK TO THE GRAVE (ITS RESTING PLACE).
Where learned: NO LOCATION INDICATED
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- November 1 All Saints CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 10-25-1970
SUPERSTITION
ON THE EVE OF ALL SOUL'S DAY NO ONE WAS TO BE OUT LATE AT NIGHT,
ESPECIALLY AFTER MIDNIGHT BECAUSE THE SPIRITS WOULD BE ROAMING THE
EARTH AND WERE NOT TO BE DISTURBED OR THEY WOULD REVEAL THEMSELVES
AND FRIGHTEN YOU.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- November 1 All Saints BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: NO DATE INDICATED.
SUPERSTITION (FIXED DATE)
A PERSON MUST BE HOME BY MIDNIGHT OF NOVEMBER 1ST, BECAUSE ON
NOVEMBER 2ND ALL THE SOULS ARE ALLOWED TO RETURN TO EARTH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- November 1 All Saints BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 10-25-1969
ALL SOUL'S NIGHT
ON THE STRIKING OF MIDNIGHT OF ALL SOULS NIGHT ONE SHOULD NEVER BE
IN FRONT OF A CHURCH. IF ONE IS IN FRONT OF CHURCH IT IS BELIEVED
THAT ALL THE SOULS OF RELATIVES THAT HAVE DIED DURING THAT YEAR WILL
BE SEEN.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT'S MOTHER USED TO TELL HER THIS WHEN SHE WAS A LITTLE GIRL
IN DETROIT, MI.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- November 2 All SoulsDay of the Dead BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 03-28-1971
CUSTOM FESTIVAL--ALL SOUL'S DAY
ON NOVEMBER 2, ALL SOUL'S DAY IS CELEBRATED IN MEXICO. CANDY SKULLS,
BONES, AND YELLOW MARIGOLDS ARE PUT ON GRAVES IN CEMETERIES.
ALSO, FRUITS AND FLOWER GARLANDS ARE PUT ON GRAVES, FOR BRINGING
CHEERS TO THE DEAD. FOOD AND DRINK ARE ALSO PUT FOR THE DEAD IN
THE HOUSE.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LEARNED OF THIS CUSTOM DURING HIS VISIT TO MEXI
IN 1968.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- November 2 All SoulsDay of the Dead CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 10-25-1971
SUPERSTITION
ON THE NIGHT OF ALL SOULS DAY IT IS SAID THAT THE SPIRITS RETURN
TO THE HOMES OF THEIR FAMILIES AND ANYONE WHO IS GUILTY OF WRONG
DOING WILL FEEL THE SPIRIT SHAKING THEM AS A PUNISHMENT AND WARNING.
Where learned: NO LOCATION INDICATED
| Subject headings: | Spirit / Mind / Body CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- November 2 All SoulsDay of the Dead BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 11-21-1969
RITUAL FOR THE DEAD
ON NOVEMBER 2ND, THERE IS ONLY WORK FOR HALF DAY. ALL THE PEOPLE
IN MEXICO GO TO CEMETERIES TO HONOR THEIR OWN DEAD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- November 2 All SoulsDay of the Dead CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 02-04-1968
MAGIC TO DRIVE AWAY GHOSTS
IF A GHOST OR A DEVIL IS BOTHERING YOU, MAKE THE SIGN OF THE
CROSS OR SAY THE NAME JESUS AND THEY WILL BE FRIGHTENED AWAY.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
CONTACT WITH THE DEAD
IF ONE HAS A DECEASED RELATIVE, AND WOULD LIKE
ANY INFORMATION FROM THESE PEOPLE, SUCH AS IN REGARDS
TO NUMBERS, HORSES, ETC.
WRITE A LETTER, DON'T DOT ANY "I"S
AND DON'T CROSS ANY "T"S.
AND THIS PERSON WILL APPEAR TO YOU.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 02-10-1972
KEEP AWAY GHOSTS
IN ORDER TO KEEP AWAY GHOSTS, YOU SHOULD HANG
A HORSESHOE ABOVE YOUR DOOR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 10-30-1968
A BED HAS TO BE FACING NORTH AND SOUTH
THE BED HAS TO BE FACING NORTH AND SOUTH IN ORDER FOR
THE SPIRITS TO CIRCULATE PROPERLY
AROUND THE SLEEPING PERSON.
Submitter comment:
SHE LEARNED IT FROM HER GREAT-AUNT WHOSE NAME
IS JOSEPHINE SWITZER AND WHO IS EIGHTY-THREE YEARS OLD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; COLLECTED AT UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
GOOD LUCK
TAKE THREE VERY SILVER QUARTERS AND PUT THEM ON YOUR BACK.
NEXT TAKE A GLASS AND PUT IT OVER THE THREE QUARTERS.
FINALLY, LIGHT A CANDLE UNDER THE GLASS AND IT WILL DRAW
ALL OF THE EVIL SPIRITS OUT OF YOUR BACK.
Submitter comment: HIS GRANDMOTHER TOLD HIM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; J L HUDSONS COMPANY
Keyword(s): BACKACHE ; TRANSFERENCE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 12-02-1967
PINCH OF THE DEAD
WHEN YOU FIND A BLACK AND BLUE MARK ON YOUR BODY
THAT YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE IT CAME FROM
IT MEANS THAT SOMEONE WHO IS CLOSE TO YOU,
AND THAT HAS DIED, AND THAT NEEDS YOUR PRAYERS HAS COME BACK
AND WANTS TO MAKE YOU AWARE OF THIS NEED.
THEREFORE HE PINCHES YOU AND LEAVES A BLACK AND BLUE MARK
AS A SYMBOL OR SIGN OF HIS NEED.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; STUDENT UNION
Date learned: 03-31-1970
CATHOLIC BELIEF
THE CUSTOM OF A WOMAN COVERING HER HEAD IN CHURCH STEMS FROM
THE MEDIEVAL BELIEF THAT EVIL SPIRITS WOULD BE ENTANGLED IN THE
HAIR IF IT WERE NOT COVERED.
Submitter comment:
A belief concerning wearing something on your head.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hair, on head, mustache, widow's peak BELIEF -- Church |
Date learned: 09-24-1969