Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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KEEPING AWAY EVIL
ITALIAN PEOPLE BELIEVE IN WEARING A HORN OR USING THE TWO FINGERED
HAND TO KEEP EVIL AWAY. SHE BELIEVES THAT THE CUSTOM IS NOT REALLY
FOLLOWED TODAY, ESPECIALLY IN THE U.S.
Submitter comment:
SHE DELIVERED THIS ITEM TO ME IN A VERY OFF-HANDED MANNER. IT
APPEARS TO BE SOMETHING SHE WAS TOLD WHEN SHE WAS A LITTLE GIRL BUT
DOES NOT BELIEVE IN IT HERSELF.
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure BELIEF -- Emblem SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 10-00-1976
HUSKING BEE
WHEN THE CORN THAT HAD BEEN SHOCKED WAS READY FOR HUSKING, THE WHOLE
NEIGHBORHOOD WOULD HAVE A HUSKING BEE. YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN WOULD
GATHER ON A MOONLIT NIGHT AND BEGIN TO HUSK IN PAIRS (GUY AND GIRL).
EVERYTIME THAT A RED EAR OF CORN IS FOUND BY THE PAIR, THE GIRL GETS
A KISS.
Submitter comment: THIS IS A VERY OLD GERMAN CUSTOM THAT IS STILL PRACTICED TODAY.
Where learned: OHIO ; MOGADORE
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Dating, courtship mechanics CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Autumn Fall Harvest Thanksgiving SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 10-00-1976
CUSTOM
IF A BOY HELD A LIGHTED MATCH IN FRONT OF A GIRL AND SHE BLEW IT OUT,
THE BOY WAS ENTITLED TO A KISS.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS AN OLD GERMAN CUSTOM. WHEN QUESTIONED AS TO WHETHER SHE
PRACTICED IT OR NOT, THE INFORMANT HAD NO REPLY.
Where learned: OHIO ; MOGADORE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Signs of availability CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Dating, courtship mechanics SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 10-00-1976
BELIEF
AFTER YOU CROSS YOURSELF, YOU SHOULD THROW HOLY WATER OVER YOUR LEFT
SHOULDER. THIS WAS TO RELIEVE THE BURNING ON THE SOULS IN PURGATORY.
Submitter comment: THIS IS AN ITALIAN CUSTOM.
Where learned: OHIO ; MOGADORE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Supernatural Being BELIEF -- Church SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 10-00-1976
CHURCH CUSTOM
CERTAIN PRIESTS OF THE KANSAS CITY-SAINT JOSEPH DIOCESE UPHOLD
THE FOLLOWING TRADITION: IF A PARENT BRINGS AN INFANT TO
COMMUNION, BEFORE THE PRIEST GIVES THE HOST TO THE PARENT, HE
MAKES THE SIGN OF THE CROSS WITH IT OVER THE CHILD, BLESSING IT.
Where learned: MISSOURI ; SAINT JOSEPH
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church BELIEF -- Church BELIEF -- Prayer BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications SPEECH -- Gesture |
MY BROTHER PETE WAS GIVEN A PROPER IRISH WAKE. AFTER THE DOCTOR HAD
CLEANED HIM UP A BIT, MOTHER WASHED AND DRESSED HIM. HE WAS THEN
TAKEN TO THE UNDERTAKER, UNDRESSED, EMBALMED, REDRESSED, AND BROUGHT
HOME TO US. THE LIVING ROOM WAS DARKENED AND DRAPED IN BLACK.
TAPERS BURNED AROUND THE COFFIN ALL DAY AND ALL NIGHT. ONE OF US
KEPT THE DEATHWATCH, SAYING THE ROSARY OVER AND OVER. NEIGHBORS CAME
TO BRING FOOD AND PRAY OVER HIM.
THE WHOLE TOWN CROWDED INTO AND AROUND OUR HOUSE FOR THE RECITATION
OF THE ROSARY FOR MY POOR DEAD BROTHER. ON THE THIRD DAY AFTER HIS
DEATH, SIX OF PETES BEST FRIENDS CARRIED HIM ON THEIR SHOULDERS TO
TH MISSION CHURCH.
JUST BEFORE PETE WAS SEALED INTO HIS COFFIN, WE WERE ALL FORCED
TO KISS HIM GOODBYE. HE WAS COLD AND HARD. THEN EACH OF US THREW A
SHOVELFUL OF DIRT OVER THE BOX IN THE GRAVE.
Where learned: MISSOURI ; SAINT JOSEPH
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Prayer SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 10-05-1976
IF AT COMMUNION YOU TOUCH THE HOST, YOUR HAND WILL FALL OFF.
Submitter comment: I THINK "COMMUNION IN THE HAND" DISPROVES THIS.
Where learned: MISSOURI ; SAINT JOSEPH
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Church SPEECH -- Gesture |
POINT AT COWS WHEN YOU CALL THEM. IF YOU DONT, THE DEVIL WILL
COME TO CARRY BOTH YOU AND THE COW AWAY.
Where learned: MISSOURI ; AGENCY
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Mammal SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: CA00001967
TAPE OF MISCELLANOUS INFORMATION
INVENTORY OF TAPE;NIGERIAN FUNERALS,NAMING CEREMONY, WEDDINGS,
CARE OF TEETH, PARTIES FOR I6-AND 2!-YEAR-OLDS,CONFIRMATION
EATING CUSTOMS, BEHAVIOR AND ATTITUDES OF NIGERIANS BACK FROM ABROAD,
CELEBRATION OF APRIL FOOLS BEFORE NOON
Where learned: NIGERIA ; POSSIBLY SOMETHING ABOUT IRELAND
SLOVAK FEAST DAYS
WHENEVER THE SLOVAKS CELEBRATE A FEAST DAY, THEY WALK AS MUCH AS 10
OR 12 MILES TO A LARGER CHURCH AND BY HOMEMADE TORCHLIGHT, THEY WALK
BACK, SINGING ALL THE WAY. FOR FOOD THEY TAKE ALONG A PIECE OF
KOLBASI, BACON, BREAD AND EAT ON THE WAY. THEY ALSO CHANT
ROSARIES. IT IS LIKE A PILGRIMAGE.
MANY PEOPLE HAVE NO SHOES (ON). THEY WALK BAREFOOT, CARRYING THEIR
SHOES. WHEN THEY NEAR THE CHURCH, THEY PUT THEM ON. MANY TIMES
THERE WAS SNOW ON THE GROUND AND THEY WALK BAREFOOT TO THE
CELEBRATIONS.
Where learned: OHIO ; CLEVELAND
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Typical Elements of a Festive Pattern CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Fixed DateFor specific dates, use the following system: SPEECH -- Gesture |
CUSTOM
IN SPAIN WHEN A MAN PASSES OR SEES A YOUNG, PRETTY WOMAN, HE KISSES
AT HER TO SHOW HIS DELIGHT AND PAY A COMPLIMENT TO HER.
Where learned: SPAIN
Keyword(s): SPAIN KISS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 10-07-1970
LEAVE_TAKING
IN THE SOUTH, THE PEOPLE WERE WARMER AND MORE DEMONSTRATIVE,
THAT WHEN PEOPLE WERE READY TO LEAVE FOR HOME, THEY WOULD
KISS EVERYONE IN THE HOUSE GOOD BYE.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): SOUTH KISS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 10-12-1970
FOOT
IF YOU STOMP YOUR LEFT FOOT BEFORE YOU ENTER SOMEONE'S HOME, THAT
IMPLIES THAT YOU AREN'T WELCOME.
Submitter comment: WHEN DONE BY ACCIDENT
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 01-26-1971
REVERENCE FOR ELDERS: MANO PO
IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS, THERE IS THE CUSTOM OF KISSING THE
HANDS OF ALL THE ELDER PEOPLE IN A FAMILY TO HONOR THEM AS
REPRESENTATIVES OF GOD'S AUTHORITY, AND TO ASK THEIR BLESSINGS
AFTER THE ENTIRE FAMILY HAS GATHERED TO PRAY DURING THE 6 O'CLOCK
ANGELUS. THE ANGELUS AND THE CUSTOM OF MANO PO ARE WIDELY PRACTICED
IN THE PROVINCES BUT NOT SO MUCH IN THE LARGER CITIES.
Where learned: PHILIPPINES ; QUEZON CITY
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Prayer SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: NOT ENTERED BY COLLECTOR
CUSTOM
SALUTE THE COLORS WHEN BOARDING A SHIP.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Work Commerce Business SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: DATE NOT GIVEN BY COLLECTOR
BACKWARDNESS
A COUPLE OF MY FRIENDS WERE IN THE NAVY. AFTER COMING HOME, WHEN
THEY SEE EACH OTHER ON THE STREET, THEY BOTH TURN AROUND AND WALK
BY EACH OTHER BACK TO BACK. THEY DO THIS TO SHOW THEIR MUTUAL
FEELING THAT EVERYTHING IS DONE BACKWARDS IN THE NAVY.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA, ASSUMED ; SCRANTON
Keyword(s): MILITARY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535 SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 04-00-1967
LITTLE PETER RABBIT
LITTLE PETER RABBIT HAD A FLY UPON HIS NOSE. LITTLE PETER RABBIT HAD
A FLY UPON HIS NOSE. LITTLE PETER RABBIT HAD A FLY UPON HIS NOSE. SO
HE BRUSHED IT TILL IT FLEW AWAY.
Submitter comment:
NEXT TIME SONG IS SUNG, WORD "RABBIT" IS OMITTED AND THE HAND GESTURE
FOR BUNNY EARS SUBSTITUTED. NEXT ROUND, OMIT WORD "RABBIT" AND
"NOSE." AGAIN ACT OUT "NOSE" BY POINTING TO IT. THIRD TIME SONG IS
SUNG, OMIT THESE TWO WORDS AND ACT THEM OUT AND ALSO ACT OUT
WORD "BRUSHED".
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
KNOCK KNOCK JOKE
KNOCK KNOCK
WHO'S THERE?
WAA
WAAHOO
Submitter comment:
IN ALL KNOCK KNOCK JOKES THE SAME FORMAT IS USED.
HOWEVER IN THIS PARTICULAR ONE THE FORMAT IS CUT SHORT.
BEFORE THE JOKE IS BEING TOLD THE PERSON
WHO INTENDS TO ACT AS RESPONDER IS ASKED TO WAVE HIS ARM IN
A CIRCLE ABOVE HIS HEAD. IT USUALLY TAKES A FEW MOMENTS
FOR THE RESPONDER TO REALIZE THE JOKE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Gesture RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 00-00-1967
LUCK
BEFORE A BASEBALL GAME ALL THE PLAYERS ON
SACRED HEART SEMINARY'S TEAM WOULD GATHER AROUND THE
COACH AND PLACE THEIR HANDS ON TOP OF HIS AND PRAY
A HAIL MARY, AND THEN "QUEEN OF VICTORY, PRAY FOR US."
THIS WAS DONE FOR LUCK IN WINNING THE GAME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Prayer SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 10-00-1971
KNOCK ON WOOD
KNOCK ON WOOD TO STOP YOUR WORDS FROM
COMING BACK TO YOU.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 02-07-1970