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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION IN LITHUANIA IS VERY ELABORATE. ON CHRISTMAS
EVE, THE TABLE IS SET WITH A WHITE TABLECLOTH, 12 KINDS OF PREPARED
FISH AND IN THE CENTER--A HANDFUL OF STRAW UNDER THE TABLECLOTH, AND
DIRECTLY ON THAT, "PLOTKELES". "PLOTKELES" IS SIMILAR TO COMMUNION,
ONLY SQUARE, A PIECE OF SIZEABLE SIZE (MOSTLY 6 BY 4 INCHES). IN
LITHUANIAN, IT IS CALLED "KRISTAUS LAISKAS"--CHRIST'S LETTER. IT IS
A LETTER ANNOUNCING HIS BIRTH AND THAT HE WILL SAVE US.
WHEN EVERYONE IS SEATED, THEY SAY A PRAYER AND THEN, THE FATHER TAKES
ONE OF THE "LETTERS", HANDS IT TO THE MOTHER WHO BREAKS OFF A PIECE,
THEN TO THE NEXT OLDEST, ETC...SO ON DOWN THE LINE. THEN THE MOTHER
LETS EVERYONE BREAK OFF A PIECE FROM HER PIECE AND SO ON...
AFTER THE PASSING AROUND OF THE LETTER, THE EATING STARTS. THIS IS
THE ONE TIME THAT WE ARE NOT ALLOWED, BY LITHUANIAN CUSTOM, TO EAT
MEAT. WE PREPARE FISH 12 DIFFERENT WAYS: SMOKED HERRING, PICKLED
HERRING, WHITE FISH, OR ANY OTHER KINDS OF FISH. FISH AND VEGETABLES,
AS MUCH AS WE WANT--FOR DURING THE DAY WE ARE NOT SUPPOSED
TO EAT ANYTHING AT ALL. THERE ARE TO BE 12 VARIATIONS OF EACH FOOD:
12 FISH, 12 VEGETABLES, 12 FRUIT, 12 CAKES.
AFTER THE FISH AND VEGETABLES, THEN STARTS THE FRUITS AND SWEETS.
MOST OF THE CAKES ARE HOME BAKED, THE FRUITS MADE INTO A PUNCH OR A
FRUIT-BOWL.
TO FINISH OFF THE MEAL, THERE ARE THE TRADITIONAL "SLIZIKAI"--TASTE
JUST LIKE BREAD STICKS, ONLY THEY'RE SMALL AND ROUND. YOU PUT THEM
IN SWEET MILK (IN AMERICA--DILUTED PET MILK) AND THAT IS HOW YOU EAT
THEM.
AFTER DINNER, THERE ARE THE PRESENTS OPENING AND AFTER THAT, TIME TO
GO TO CHURCH.
WHEN YOU FIRST WALK INTO THE CHURCH, EVERYTHING IS TOTALLY DARK.
BUT AT EXACTLY MIDNIGHT--ALL THE CANDLES ARE LIT, THE CHIMES AND BELLS
START RINGING, AND THE CONGREGATION BEGINS TO SING. THERE IS A
PROCESSION AROUND THE CHURCH 3 TIMES; THEN THE PROCESSION OF THE
PRIEST, ALTAR BOYS AND GIRLS (THROW FLOWER PETALS IN FRONT OF THE
PRIEST) STOP IN FRONT OF THE CHURCH'S CRIB AND BEGIN TO PRAY. HE
PRAYS FOR THE POPE, THE PRIESTS AND NUNS, FOR THE PEOPLE , AND FOR
THE LITHUANIAN NATION (IN AMERICA, SO THAT THEIR FREEDOM WILL BE
RESTORED) (IN LITHUANIA AT THE PRESENT, THEY ARE UNABLE TO CELEBRATE
IN CHURCH). THEN HE BLESSES THE CONGREGATION WITH HOLY WATER AND THE
MASS BEGINS.
CHRISTMAS DAY IS USUALLY THE VISITING DAY OF FRIENDS AND RELATIVES.
WHEN THE PEOPLE USED TO VISIT, THEY ALWAYS BROUGHT SOMETHING ALONG,
EITHER SOME CAKES, OR CANDY OR A BOTTLE OF WINE AND A LOAF OF BREAD.
IT WAS CONSIDERED A DISGRACE TO GO VISITING AND NOT BRING SOMETHING.
THE CELEBRATING USUALLY LASTED FOR 3 DAYS, BUT NOW--FOR ONLY 1 OR 2
DAYS.
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED
Keyword(s): ABSTINENCE FROM MEAT ; FOOD CUSTOM
Date learned: 03-25-1972
MEXICAN CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
A FIGURE IS CHOSEN TO PERSONIFY MARY AND ONE TO PERSONIFY JOSEPH.
THE TWO APPOINTEES VISIT EACH HOUSE IN A NAMED VICINITY ON CHRISTMAS
EVE. THEY GO FROM DOOR TO DOOR RECALLING THE JOURNEY OF THE HISTORIC
FIGURES.
Where learned: informant's residence
Keyword(s): MUMMING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F122 |
Date learned: NOT RECORDED BY THE COLLECTOR
GERMAN CHRISTMAS CUSTOMS
CHRISTMAS IN GERMANY IS CELEBRATED ON TWO DAYS IN A SOMEWHAT
DIFFERENT FASHION FROM AMERICANS. ON DECEMBER 24TH THE FIRST PART OF
THE CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION TAKES PLACE. IT IS CELEBRATED ON THIS DAY
BECAUSE THIS IS THE DAY THAT CHRIST WAS BORN AND NOT REALLY ON THE
25TH. THEY DO NOT PUT A TREE UP WEEKS BEFORE CHRISTMAS. INSTEAD THE
TREE IS SET UP LATE ON THE 23RD AND THE ROOM IS LOCKED WITH TREE AND
PRESENTS INSIDE. THEN IN THE AFTERNOON THE CHILDREN SEE THE TREE
AND PRESENTS FOR THE FIRST TIME.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT REMEMBERS THIS FROM HER HOMELAND, GERMANY
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; BEAUTY SHOP
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F122 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas tree CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Gifts, gift giving at Christmas |
Date learned: NOT RECORDED BY THE COLLECTOR
CHIVARI
ON CHRISTMAS EVE, A GROUP OF CHILDREN WOULD WALK FROM ONE FARM TO THE
OTHER AND COLLECT FOOD. THIS FOOD WAS LATER GIVEN TO THE POOR.
Submitter comment:
MR. OULETTE AND HIS CHILDHOOD FRIENDS FOLLOWED THIS TRADITIONAL
PRACTICE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE PARK ; COLLECTORS HOME
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Gifts, gift giving at Christmas |
CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
ON CHRISTMAS EVE IN CZECHOSLOVAKIA, A SLOVAK FAMOLY WOULD RUN TO
THE WELL. THERE THEY WOULD WASH THEIR HANDS AND FACE WITH WELL
WATER. THEY WOULD RUN BACK TO THE HOUSE AND THEN WIPE AWAY THE
WATER. THIS WAS DONE BEFORE CHRISTMAS EVE SUPPER.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): WASHING HANDS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve |
Date learned: 02-25-1970
JULAFTON IS THE SWEDISH CHRISTMAS EVE FESTIVITY. THE ENTIRE FAMILY
SPENT THIS EVENING TOGETHER IN THEIR OWN HOME FEASTING ON SOME OF THE
DELECTABLE FOODS WHICH HAD BEEN PREPARED IN FORMER DAYS . OFTEN THE
FAMILY GATHERED FOR CHRISTMAS CAROLS AFTERWARD.
Submitter comment:
JULAFTON FOR THE INFORMANT WAS THE HAPPIEST OF ALL THE SWEDISH
TRADITIONAL FESTIVALS.
Where learned: HOME ; ROUTE 1 ; WRITTEN IN A LETTER
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Songs, caroling |
Date learned: 03-28-1970
POLISH CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL
DECEMBER 24 (CHRISTMAS EVE) IS CELEBRATED WITH A SPECIAL MEAL AND
A MEANINGFUL READING FROM SEVERAL DIFFERENT WORKS PERTAINING TO THE
SEASON OF CHRISTMAS.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve |
Date learned: 03-21-1971
CHRISTMAS EVE - CHRISTMAS DAY - MIDNIGHT MASS
IN CANADA THE FRENCH HAD THEIR CHRISTMAS MEAL RIGHT
AFTER MIDNIGHT MASS ABOUT TWO O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING. AFTER
THE MEAL ONE OF THE RELATIVES WOULD DRESS AS SANTA CLAUS AND
HAND OUT THE PRESENTS TO EACH PERSON INDIVIDUALLY. CHRISTMAS DAY
ITSELF WAS A TIME OF REST BECAUSE THEY GOT TO BED SO LATE
CHRISTMAS MORNING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 00-00-1968
CHRISTMAS GIFTS
ON CHRISTMAS, THE ADULTS DO NOT EXCHANGE GIFTS: ONLY THE
CHILDREN RECEIVE GIFTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; UNION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Gifts, gift giving at Christmas |
Date learned: 10-24-1968
VICTORY TABLE - CHRISTMAS DAY
ON CHRISTMAS DAY, MY MOTHER INSISTS WE STAY AT HOME. SHE
FIRMLY BELIEVES THAT THIS IS A DAY FOR FAMILIES TO BE TOGETHER
AND THAT IT IS NO TIME TO GO VISITING.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT SAID THAT HER MOTHER LEARNED THIS CUSTOM FROM HER MOTHER.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; DALLAS ; TOLD IN
Keyword(s): VISITING TABU
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F122 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
BAD LUCK
NEVER LIFT THE ASHES OUT OF STOVE OR GRATE ON CHRISTMAS DAY.
Where learned: PENNA
Keyword(s): TABU
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below. |
Date learned: 11-13-1965
CHRISTMAS DAY - ROUTINE ACTIVITY
INFORMANT STATED THAT CERTAIN TIMES IN EACH DAY
WERE DESIGNATED AS PERIODS OF SILENCE. HOWEVER,
ON CHRISTMAS, EASTER, AND PENTECOST THE COMMUNITY
OBSERVED GRAND CONG DAY. ON THESE THREE DAYS
THE SISTERS COULD FEEL FREE TO TALK ALL DAY.
Where learned: DETROIT ; SAINT RITAS CONVENT ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Pentecost |
Date learned: 03-01-1970
BELIEF
AT CHRISTMAS TIME IF YOU GO TO BED EARLY, SANTA WILL COME THERE
FIRST AND YOU WILL HAVE A BETTER SELECTION OF PRESENTS.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Santa Claus |
Date learned: 03-00-1971
CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEARS CUSTOMS IN SCOTLAND
THERE IS MUCH REVELRY IN SCOTLAND AT HOGMANY (NEW YEAR) AND LITTLE
FESTIVITY AT CHRISTMAS. THE ORIGINS OF THIS PRACTICE ARE NOT AS
HEATHENISH AS THEY MIGHT FIRST APPEAR. SCOTLAND WAS ONE OF THE
FORTIFICATIONS OF THE PROTESTANT REFORMATION AND THE REFORMERS WERE
APPALLED AT THE CARNIVAL ATMOSPHERE THAT PERVADED THE CELEBRATION OF
CHRISTMAS. AS A RESULT, THE FESTIVITIES WERE PUSHED AHEAD ONE WEEK
AND CHRISTMAS CELEBRATED WITH MORE SOLEMNITY. UP UNTIL THE END OF
WORLD WAR 2 IT WAS UNUSUAL FOR WORKING MEN TO GET A DAY OFF FOR CHRISTMAS.
INSTEAD, SEVERAL DAYS HOLIDAY WERE GIVEN AT NEW YEAR'S.
Where learned: AT WORK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F122 |
FRENCH CUSTOMS FOR CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEARS
ON CHRISTMAS DAY THE FAMILY ATTENDED CHURCH TO OBSERVE CHRIST'S
BIRTH, THEN JUST HAD A REGULAR DINNER AT HOME. NEW YEARS WAS THE
DAY ON WHICH THERE WAS A GOOD DEAL OF CELEBRATION. ON ARISING IN
THE MORNING, THE CHILDREN WOULD TRY TO BE FIRST TO ASK THEIR FATHER
FORGIVENESS FOR THE THINGS THEY DID WRONG DURING THE YEAR. HE WOULD
THEN FORGIVE THEM, PREACH TO THEM, AND ASK THEM TO DO BETTER. AFTER
THIS EVERYONE WOULD GET THEIR PRESENTS AND ENJOY THE DAY WITH
RELATIVES AND FRIENDS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F122 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Church |
Date learned: NOT RECORDED BY THE COLLECTOR
POLISH CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
BETWEEN CHRISTMAS AND JANUARY 6 (THE OFFICIAL FEAST DAY OF THE
WISEMEN), POLISH PEOPLE, IN ORDER TO CELEBRATE THE VISITION OF THE
WISEMEN TO CHRIST, CHALK THE FRONT DOORS OF THEIR HOMES WITH THE
LETTERS K, M, AND B. THESE INITIALS SIGNIFY THE NAMES OF THE MAGI:
KASPAR, MELCHIOR, AND BALTHASAR. THE INITIALS ARE ALSO A SIGN OF THE
POLISH FAMILY'S WELCOMING ANY VISITORS WHO WISH TO STOP IN DURING THE
THE CHRISTMAS SEASON. ALSO BETWEEN CHRISTMAS AND JAN. 6, FIVE OR SIX
MEN DRESS UP IN WISEMAN COSTUMES AND PARADE DOWN THE STREETS. THEY
USUALLY CARRY THE HEAD OF A BEAR CARVED OUT OF WOOD. THIS HEAD IS
MOUNTED ON A LONG STICK AND HELD UP BY ONE OF THE MEN. THE LOWER
CHIN OF THE BEAR HEAD IS MOVABLE AND CONTROLLED BY PULLING A STRING.
THE MOVEMENT OF THE LOWER CHIN CAUSES A CLAPPING SOUND WHICH ATTRACTS
THE ATTENTION OF THE PEOPLE AND CHILDREN ON THE STREET. THESE
COSTUMED PARADERS GO FROM HOME TO HOME ALONG THEIR ROUTE COLLECTING
GROCERIES AND LIQUORS. THESE IMPROMPTU ACTORS DO THIS TO GET ALL
THE PEOPLE IN THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Keyword(s): EPIPHANY
Date learned: 10-11-1969
EPIPHANY
AMONG THE MINNESOTA SWEDES OF THE EARLY 20TH CENTURY FROM CHRISTMAS
DAY ONWARD A ROUND OF DINNER PARTIES OF RELATIVES AND FRIENDS WAS
ATTENDED UNTIL EPIPHANY OR THE 12TH DAY ENDED THE SEASON'S
FESTIVITIES.
Where learned: HOME ; ROUTE 1 ; WRITTEN IN A LETTER
Date learned: 03-28-1970
LEGENDS OF THE UKRAINIAN EASTER EGGS
OF THE VARIOUS TYPES OF EASTER EGGS OF THE UKRAINE, THE PYSANKA AND
THE KRASHANKA ARE THE MOST WIDELY KNOWN. KRASHANKA IS FROM THE WORD
KRASKA WHICH MEANS COLOR. THE KRASHANKA IS A HARD-BOILED EGG WHICH
IS DYED A SOLID COLOR, AND MAY BE EATEN. THE PYSANKA STEMS FROM
THE VERB PYSATY, WHICH MEANS TO WRITE, AS THE DESIGNS ARE ACTUALLY
WRITTEN ON THE EGG, WHICH IS DYED IN SEVERAL COLORS. BUT UNLIKE
THE KRASHANKA THE PYSANKY ARE RAW AND NOT EATEN. IF A WOMAN IS
CHILDLESS AND DESIRES A CHILD. SHE WOULD BE GIVEN AN EGG DECORATED
WITH A CHICKEN, THE SIGN OF A FERTILE CREATURE, AND HOPEFULLY HER
FAMILY WOULD GROW. IT WAS THOUGHT TO BE THE MAN'S FAULT AFTER
THAT. TO HELP THE MAN HE WAS GIVEN AN EGG WITH A PATTERN OF
ROOSTERS. TO HELP OLDER MEN, WHO WERE GOING DOWN HILL WHEN IT
CAME TO THEIR VIGOR, THEY
WERE GIVEN AN EGG DECORATED WITH OAK LEAVES.
AS CHRISTIANITY CAME TO THE UKRAINE SO DID SOME MORE LEGENDS.
THE HUTZELS FROM WESTERN UKRAINE TELL A STORY THAT THE VIRGIN
MARY FILLED HER APRON WITH EGGS, AND WHEN SHE APPEARED BEFORE
PONTIUS PILATE TO PLEAD FOR HER SON, SHE DROPPED TO HER KNEES AND
THE EGGS ROLLED OUT OVER THE SURFACE OF THE WORLD UNTIL THEY WERE
DISTRIBUTED AMONG ALL NATIONS. IN ANOTHER STORY, MARY IS SAID TO
HAVE FILLED A BASKET WITH EGGS WHICH SHE CARRIED TO THE SOLDIERS
SITTING AT THE FOOT OF THE CROSS. THERE SHE LEFT IT. AFTER A
TIME, THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST FLOWED DOWN, STAINING THE EGGS WITH
THEIR CHARACTERISTIC COLOR. THE UKRAINIAN EASTER EGGS ALSO
ANSWER THE PROBLEMS OF THE WORLD. AS LONG AS THE PYSANKY TRADITION
REMAINS, AND EGGS CONTINUE TO BE DECORATED, THE WORLD WILL EXIST.
SHOULD THE CUSTOM CEASE, EVIL WILL ENCOMPASS AND DESTROY THE WORLD.
THIS IS BECAUSE AN ANCIENT, VICIOUS CREATURE IS HEAVILY CHAINED
AGAINST A HUGE CLIFF AND EACH YEAR SERVANTS OF THE CREATURE GO OUT
ABOUT THE WORLD AND TAKE COUNT HOW MANY PYSANKY ARE DECORATED IN
THE WORLD. WHEN THERE ARE FEW PYSANKY THE CREATURE'S CHAINS LOOSEN
AND EVIL BEGINS TO FLOW THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. SHOULD THE SERVANTS
FIND THE CUSTOM OF DECORATING EGGS BEING PRACTICED WIDELY THEN THE
CHAINS OF THE MONSTER TIGHTEN, ALLOWING LOVE TO CONQUER EVIL.
PEASANTS PLACED KRASHANKA SHELLS IN THE THATCHED ROOFS OF THEIR
HOMES AND UNDER HAY MOUNDS TO TURN AWAY HIGH WINDS. BEEKEEPERS
PUT THEM UNDER HIVES FOR A GOOD SUPPLY OF HONEY. A KRASHANKA,
BLESSED ON EASTER EVE, WAS SUSPENDED ON A STRING FROM THE NECK
OF AN ILL PERSON, OR TOUCHED TO INFECTED AREAS ON PERSONS SUFFERING
FROM BLOOD POISONING TO EFFECT A CURE.
Submitter comment: FERTILITY SYMBOLS
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
CUSTOMS AND BELIEFS
FOR UKRAINIAN CHRISTMAS EVE AND EASTER DINNERS, A PLATE, WITH FOOD
IS PLACED FOR THE FAMILY MEMBERS WHICH PASSED AWAY. IN THE OLD
COUNTRY THE FARM ANIMALS WERE LATER GIVEN THE FOOD OFF THE
PLATE WITH THE IDEA THAT THE FAMILY'S DEAD RELATIVE'S SPIRITS
LIVED IN THE ANIMALS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
IN FOGLIZZO, PIEMONTE, ITALY AFTER THE CHRISTMAS MIDNIGHT MASS THE
PEOPLE HAVE A CELEBRATION IN THE HOMES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below. |
Date learned: 12-00-1977