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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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ON NEW YEAR'S EVE AT THE STROKE OF MIDNIGHT, WE THROW WATER OUT THE
WINDOWS BY THE BUCKETS TO SEND AWAY ALL BAD THINGS THAT CAME DURING
THE YEAR
Submitter comment: THEY DO THIS IN SAN JUAN.
Where learned: PUERTO RICO ; SAN JUAN
James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC ; PURIFICATION OF THE YEAR.
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F123 BELIEF -- Measure of time Year |
Date learned: CA00001950
IF A MALE IS THE FIRST VISITOR AFTER TWELVE MIDNIGHT, NEW YEARS DAY,
IT MEANS GOOD LUCK WILL BE WITH YOU FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR. IF THE
FIRST VISITOR IS A FEMALE, IT MEANS YOU WILL HAVE BAD LUCK FOR THE
REST OF THE YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BERKELEY
Date learned: 00-00-1950
FOLKLORE OF NEW YEAR'S DAY
IN CANADA, ON NEW YEAR'S DAY THE HEAD OF THE HOUSEHOLD GIVES HIS
PATERNAL BLESSING TO EACH OF HIS SONS AND DAUGHTERS. THIS
CONTINUES EVEN AFTER THE CHILDREN MOVE OUT TO START THEIR
OWN FAMILIES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: CA00001915
FOLKLORE OF NEA YEAR'S DAY
ON NEW YEAR'S DAY EVERGREEN IS HUNG ABOVE THE DOOR. THIS INSURES
A LONG PROSPEROUS YEAR.
Submitter comment: THIS IS DONE IN JAPAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Year |
Date learned: CA00001935
FOLKLORE OF NEW YEAR'S DAY
ON NEW YEAR'S DAY WE ALWAYS HAVE PORK. THIS WILL INSURE
US A PLENTIFUL
US A PLENTIFUL YEAR. PORK IS THE RICH MAN'S FOOD.
Submitter comment: THIS HAS BEEN DONE SINCE AT LEAST 1915.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's Food Drink -- N 24 N 24.2 Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals |
Date learned: CA00001915
A BOY MUST BE THE FIRST TO KISS A GIRL ON NEW YEAR'S DAY OR ELSE
SHE WILL BE WITHOUT A BEAU THROUGH THE YEAR.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON
Keyword(s): KISS ; New Years ; Relationship ; tradition
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: CA00001920
KWANZA
KWANZA IS AN AFRICAN HOLIDAY. IT IS CELEBRATED
DECEMBER 26 THROUGH JANUARY 1. IT IS AN EVENT WHICH
IS CELEBRATED ANNUALLY AND IS BASED ON AFRICAN
HARVEST CELEBRATIONS. KWANZA MEANS THE FIRST FRUIT.
THE PURPOSE OF KWANZA IS THE THANKING OF OUR ANCESTORS
IN ORDER TO INSURE A GOOD HARVEST FOR THE ENSUING YEAR.
DURING THE HARVEST CELEBRATIONS, THERE ARE
FEASTING, DRUMMING AND DANCING. STORY_TELLING
IS HEARD. FAMILY TIES ARE STRENGTHENED
AND ENCOURAGED.
MOST HOLIDAYS HAVE SYMBOLS WHICH ARE IDENTIFIABLE
WITH A PARTICULAR CELEBRATION. KWANZA DOES ALSO.
THE SYMBOLS OF KWANZA ARE: MEKA (STRAW) THE MHUMA (CANDLE),
ZAWADI (GIFTS) AND MAHINDI (CORN). THE CORN
REPRESESENTS ALL THE CHILDREN IN THE HOUSEHOLD.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST, THERE IS THE KIKOMBE (UNITY CUP).
COMMUNITIES AND HOMES ARE DECORATED, HOWEVER, EMPHASIS
IS ON THE USE OF NATURAL THINGS.
THE COLORS OF RED, GREEN AND BLACK ARE USED.
THEY ALSO SYMBOLIZES THE BLOOD SHED BY AFRICANS
IN THE STRUGGLE FOR FREEDOM AND PEACE.
THESE COLORS REPRESENTS BLOOD, LAND AND COLOR.
BLACK IS FOR THE AFRICAN SKIN COLOR. GREEN IS FOR FERTILITY.
EMPHASIS IS PLACED UPON THE CHILDREN WHO RECEIVE
MOST OF THE GIFTS AND ARE ASKED TO MAKE A COMMITMENT.
A CHILD MIGHT ASK FOR BETTER GRADES IN SCHOOL.
IF THE CHILD GRADES HAS IMPROVED CONSIDERABLY, HE IS REWARDED.
THE REWARDS ARE CLOTHING, EXTRA FOOD OR A VISIT OUT OF TOWN.
TRADITIONALLY, THE STRENTH OF THE AFRICAN FAMILY
HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE FAMILY. BECAUSE OF THIS, THE FAMILY
IS THE FOCAL POINT OF THE CELEBRATION.
Submitter comment:
THE MEANING OF THE WORD FAMILY HERE CONSIST OF
THE FATHER, MOTHER, CHILDREN, AUNTS AND UNCLES.
FAMILY MEANS THE EXTENDED FAMILY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
GOOD LUCK IN RESTAURANTS
ON NEW YEAR'S DAY, A NEW ONE DOLLAR BILL IS PLACED
ON THE WALL OF THE RESTAURANT. IT REMAINS ON THE
WALL UNTIL THE NEXT YEAR, WHEN A NEW ONE DOLLAR
BILL IS PUT UP.
Submitter comment:
BY DOING THIS, THE RESTAURANT WILL HAVE GOOD LUCK
ALL YEAR, AS WELL AS GOOD BUSINESS. GOOD FOOD AND
GOOD SERVICE WILL PREVAIL ALL YEAR ROUND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
NEW YEAR'S DAY CUSTOM
FOR THE CELEBRATION OF THE NEW YEAR, GREEK WOMEN
BAKE A RING OF BREAD CALLED VASILOPITA. THEY PUT
A COIN IN THE BREAD BEFORE IT IS TO BE BAKED.
ON NEW YEAR'S DAY, WHEN THE BREAD IS CUT AND DISTRIBUTED,
THE PERSON WHO HAS THE COIN IN HIS PIECE OF BREAD
WILL HAVE GOOD LUCK ALL YEAR LONG.
Submitter comment:
FINDING THE COIN IS TRULY A BELIEF OF GOOD LUCK.
IT HAS BEEN A GOOD LUCK SYMBOL IN THE GREEK HOME
FOR MANY YEARS.
THIS IS A GREEK-AMERICAN CUSTOM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: CA00001968
ST. STEPHEN'S DAY
ON DEC. 26, MIDDLEAGED PEOPLE THREW WALNUTS AT THEIR FRIENDS OR
FAMILIES. PROBABLY USED AS A REMINDER TO GET RID OF OLD YEAR
AND PREPARE FOR NEW ONE.
Submitter comment:
THE OBSERVANCE OF THIS DAY IN HAMTRAMCK WAS PRACTICED BY PARENTS WHO
AWOKE THEIR CHILDREN BY TOSSING A WALNUT TO THEIR NOSE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 26 Boxing Day St. Stephen's Day Food Drink -- Plant food Nut |
Date learned: 00-00-1920
IF YOU COOK WHOLE LEAF GREENS ON NEW YEAR'S DAY YOU WILL GET A LOT
OF MONEY IN THE NEW YEAR
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
DON'T LET A WOMAN IN YOUR HOUSE ON NEW YEAR'S BECAUSE SHE WILL BRING
BAD LUCK
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SEXISM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 11-05-1980
GEORGIA CHRISTMAS TREE CUSTOM
"IT WAS BAD LUCK TO HAVE YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE
UP AFTER NEW YEAR'S EVE"
Where learned: OHIO ; FLORIDA ; ALLIANCE ; EUSTIS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas tree BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 11-13-1980 ; 00001920S
GEORGIA NEW YEAR'S DAY CUSTOM
"WE'D ALWAYS EAT BLACK EYED PEAS FOR DINNER ON NEW YEAR'S DAY,
SERVED EITHER WITH HAM OR HOG JOWLS, BECAUSE IT WOULD BRING
GOOD LUCK FOR THE NEXT YEAR".
Where learned: OHIO ; FLORIDA ; ALLIANCE ; EUSTIS
| Subject headings: | 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: 11-13-1980 ; 00001920S
ALABAMA NEW YEAR'S DAY CUSTOM
"THE WOMAN OF THE HOUSE SHOULD NEVER DO THE WASH
ON NEW YEAR'S DAY, BECAUSE IT WOULD BRING ILLNESS TO
A MEMBER OF THE FAMILY".
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS ITEM AS A CHILD IN BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA
FROM HIS MOTHER, CIRCA 1928. SHE LEARNED IT FROM HER MOTHER
IN ALABAMA CIRCA 1900.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALABAMA ; DETROIT ; BIRMINGHAM
Date learned: 11-22-1980 ; 00-00-1928 ; 00-00-1900
NEW YEAR'S DINNER
THE GREEK NEW YEAR'S FEAST IS SYMBOLIC OF PROSPERITY AND
GOOD FORTUNE.
IT IS ONE TO BE SHARED BY FAMILIES AND FRIENDS IN OPEN HOUSE FASHION.
THE TRADITIONAL NEW YEAR'S DINNER CONSISTS OF SHRIMP COCKTAIL, CELERY
HEARTS, GREEN ONIONS, CUCUMBER SLICES, ROAST SUCKLING PIG AND
PASTISIO.
Submitter comment:
THE GREEK PEOPLE CELEBRATE NEW YEAR'S DAY A LOT MORE THAN WE DO.
DOES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 00-00-1980
NEW YEAR'S DREAMS
IN POLAND, IT IS A BELIEF THAT IF YOU DREAM ABOUT MARRYING A
PERSON THREE DAYS IN A ROW; ON NEW YEAR'S EVE, NEW YEAR'S DAY,
AND THE DAY AFTER, YOU WILL MARRY THAT PERSON BEFORE THE NEXT
YEAR COMES.
Submitter comment:
THERE IS ONE POINT TO BE MENTIONED IN REGARDS TO NEW YEAR'S EVE.
IT IS BELIEVED THAT SPIRITS ARE RESTLESS ON NEW YEAR'S EVE AND
THEY WANDER IN AND OUT OF HOUSES. THEREFORE, ON THAT DAY,
POLES ARE CAREFUL NOT TO WAVE SHARP OBJECTS IN THE AIR SUCH AS;
KNIVES, SCISSORS, AND PENCILS, SO AS NOT TO INJURE A SPIRIT AND
GIVE HIM CAUSE TO BE ANGRY WITH THEIR HOUSEHOLD. ALSO, THE POLES
WOULD LEAVE PLATES OF FOOD NEXT TO EMPTY CHAIRS IN CERTAIN PARTS OF
THE HOUSE. IF THEY WOULD DO THESE THINGS, THEY THOUGHT THE SPIRITS
WOULD THEN FEEL FREE TO BLESS THEIR HOUSEHOLD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
Date learned: 00-00-1978
NEW YEAR'S CRYING
IT IS A POLISH BELIEF THAT IF YOU CRY ON NEW YEAR'S DAY YOU WILL
CRY EVERYDAY FOR THE NEXT YEAR.
Submitter comment:
NOTE THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE FIRST DAY OF THE YEAR SETTING A
PATTERN FOR THE WHOLE YEAR. THE SAME HOLDS TRUE FOR MANY POLISH
NEW YEAR'S BELIEFS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Measure of time Year |
Date learned: 00-00-1971
IF YOU GET SLAPPED ON NEW YEAR'S DAY FOR GETTING
IN TROUBLE, YOU'LL PROBABLY BE IN TROUBLE EVERY DAY
DAY OF THE YEAR.
Submitter comment: LEARNED IN FAMILY AS A CHILD.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Year BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 11-24-1967
IF A BOY IS THE FIRST TO ENTER YOUR HOME ON NEW YEAR'S
DAY, YOU WILL HAVE GOOD LUCK ALL YEAR LONG. IF A
GIRL ENTERS FIRST, YOU WILL HAVE BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
MRS. SULLIVAN HEARD THIS IN COUNTY CLAIR, IRELAND
FORTY YEARS AGO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's BELIEF -- Good luck BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 12-29-1963