RE:SEARCH logo
University of Detroit Mercy Libraries / Instructional Design Studio
UDM HOME BLACKBOARD MY UDMERCY
RESEARCH HOME / FIND / SPECIAL COLLECTIONS / THE JAMES T. CALLOW FOLKLORE ARCHIVE /
James Callow Folklore Archive

Collection Home

About Dr. James T. Callow

Dr. James T. Callow publications

Collectors

Browse by

Subject heading

Keyword

Location

Questions or comments on this site? Please email davidsor@udmercy.edu.

The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

search for

Content filter is on

Your search for N222.9 returned 393 results.

prev | items
| next

ALABAMA CHRISTMAS CUSTOM

"IT BROUGHT THE FAMILY GOOD LUCK TO SERVE PLUM PUDDING WITH
CHRISTMAS DINNER".

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

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below.
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Single dishes
Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals
BELIEF -- Good luck

Date learned: 11-22-1980 ; 00-00-1928 ; 00-00-1900

View just this record

GREEK WEDDING CUSTOMS

THE GREEK CUSTOMS DO NOT FAVOR ANY PARTICULAR MONTH FOR WEDDINGS. THE
CHURCH DOESN'T PERMIT MARRIAGES DURING THE LENTEN PERIODS. DURING A
GREEK WEDDING CEREMONY THERE ARE TWO WREATHS OF ORANGE BLOSSOMS
CONNECTED WITH A SATIN RIBBON. THE PRIEST CROSSES THE RIBBON THREE
TIMES WHICH SIGNIFIES THAT THE MARRIAGE CAN'T BE BROKEN UNTIL DEATH.
THE BRIDE HAS A DOWRY WHICH THE BRIDE'S FAMILY GIVES MONEY TO THE
GROOM.
THE TRADITIONAL GREEK WEDDING MEAL CONSISTS OF CORDIAL, MELON BALLS,
GREEN BEANS, GREEK SUMMER SALAD, ROLLS AND COFFEE.

Submitter comment: THE GREEK WEDDINGS ARE JOYOUS ONES FILLED WITH A LOT OF CELEBRATING.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage
Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals
BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications

Date learned: 00-00-1980

View just this record

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

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
Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals

Date learned: 00-00-1980

View just this record

GREEK FUNERAL SERVICE

A SPECIAL MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR DEPARTED SOULS IS CALLED MNEMOSIMON.
AFTER THE MASS IS READ, A DISH OF BOILED SWEETENED KERNELS AND FRUITS
CALLED KOLLIVA, IS DISTRIBUTED IN REMEMBRANCE OF THE DEAD. THE
KOLLIVA IS BLESSED BY THE PRIEST AND THEN EATEN AT THE CHURCH BY
FRIENDS AND RELATIVES. THE BOILED WHEAT GERM SYMBOLIZES RESURREC-
TION AND IS TRADITIONALLY OFFERED FORTY DAYS AFTER DEATH AND ONE
YEAR AFTER DEATH.
IT IS NOT SERVED AT ANY OTHER TIME.

Submitter comment: THE GREEK MEMORIAL SERVICE IS DIFFERENT THAN OURS, EXCEPT FOR THE
MEAL AFTERWARDS. THEIR MEAL CONSISTS OF DIFFERENT FOOD THAN OURS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): RESURRECTION SYMBOL

Subject headings: Favorites
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial
Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals
BELIEF -- Measure of time Year
BELIEF -- Number P686.1.40

Date learned: 00-00-1980

View just this record

GREEK CHRISTMAS FEAST

CHRISTMAS IS A FEAST DAY FOR ALL PEOPLE, AS A RULE, ENRICH THEIR
HOLIDAYS WITH TRADITIONS AND CUSTOMS ALL THEIR OWN. THE CHRISTMAS
DINNER CONSISTS OF A FRESH FRUIT CUP, ROAST DUCK WITH WINE SAUCE,
STEAMED WHITE RICE, CELERY AND CARROT CURLS, RADISHES, OLIVES AND
FETA CHEESE, SWEET BREAD AND RETSINA WINE.

Submitter comment: CHRISTMAS TO THE GREEKS IS THE SAME AS OUR CELEBRATION OF CHRISTMAS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below.
Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals

Date learned: 00-00-1980

View just this record

EVANGELISMAS

THIS IS A DAY OF IMPORTANCE IN THE GREEK CALENDAR. IT IS THE FEAST
OF THE ANNUNCIATION AS WELL AS THE NATIONAL GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY.
FISH AND OTHER SEAFOOD ARE TRADITIONALLY EATEN ON THIS DAY.

Submitter comment: I ENJOYED LEARNING ABOUT THE GREEKS' CELEBRATION ON HOLY DAYS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting
Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals

Date learned: 00-00-1980

View just this record

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

Subject headings: 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple
Observation
Favorites
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- 39815
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve
Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals
BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter
BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal
BELIEF -- Marriage
BELIEF -- Measure of time Year
BELIEF -- Dreams

Date learned: 00-00-1978

View just this record

GERMAN NEW YEARS EVE CUSTOM

IN OUER FAMILY IT IS CUSTOMARY TI INCLUDE SAURKRAUT IN THE NEW YEAR'S
EVE MEAL. EATING THIS VEGETABLE WILL MAKE ONE WEALTHY THE WHOLE
NEXT YEAR.

Submitter comment: MY GRANDMOTHER ALWAYS THOUGHT THE NEW YEARS EVE MEAL SHOULD INCLUDE
SAUERKRAUT. SHE LEARNED THIS CUSTOM FROM HER PARENTS WNEN SHE WAS 4.

Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; JOHNSTOWN

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve
Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals
BELIEF -- Measure of time Year

Date learned: 00-00-1962 ; 00-00-1905

View just this record

GERMAN TRADITION, GOOD LUCK FOR NEW YEAR

SAUERKRAUT AND ROAST PORK ON NEW YEARS'. THE PIG
BEING A SMART ANIMAL, ALWAYS POINTS HIS NOSE IN
THE "RIGHT" DIRECTION, WHICH IS A SIGN OF GOOD
LUCK FOR THE NEW YEAR.

Where learned: WHITEHEAD AND KALES ; MILL STREET PLANT

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: 02-21-1967

View just this record

TURKISH COFFEE WAS ALWAYS SERVED AT MORE SOMBER
AFFAIRS. LIKE IF SOMEONE CAME OVER AFTER A DEATH,
THEY WOULDN'T BRING OUT DRINKS; THEY SERVED TURKISH
COFFEE.

Submitter comment: DONE IN HER FAMILY WHEN SHE WAS YOUNGER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Home
Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals

Date learned: 04-15-1967

View just this record

CUSTOM

SAUSAGE IS ALWAYS EATEN THE HOUR BEFORE NEW YEARS EVE.

Submitter comment: THIS HAS BEEN DONE IN MY FAMILY FOR AS LONG AS I CAN REMEMBER,
BUT NO ONE CAN REMEMBER THE SIGNIFICANCE OF IT.

Where learned: DETROIT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve
Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals

Date learned: 00-00-1967

View just this record

SHROVE TUESDAY CUSTOM ( THE DAY BEFORE ASH WEDNESDAY)

ON SHROVE TUESDAY YOU MUST EAT PANCAKES INSTEAD OF MEAT.

Submitter comment: THIS IS TO GET RID OF FATS AND SHORTENINGS IN THE HOUSE BEFORE THE
LENTEN SEASON. THE LAST DAY OF RESERVES.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: 663 Lent
Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals

Date learned: 00-00-1932

View just this record

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

FOR BIRTHDAYS, IT IS AN IRISH CUSTOM TO BAKE A MONEY CAKE FOR
THE PERSON WHOSE BIRTHDAY IT IS.
USUALLY, A DOLLAR IN COINS IS INSERTED IN THE CAKE AND THE
BIRTHDAY BOY OR GIRL GETS FIRST CHOICE OF THE PIECE THEY WANT.

Where learned: DETROIT

Subject headings: 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually.
Favorites
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Private birthday or anniversary
Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals
Food Drink -- Pastry Sweet Dessert

Date learned: 00001970S

View just this record

NEW YEAR'S EVE

ON NEW YEAR'S EVE, IF A FAMILY BREAKS AND EATS A LOAF OF BREAD,
IT WILL STAY TOGETHER THROUGHOUT THE COMING YEAR.

Where learned: DETROIT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve
Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Measure of time Year

Date learned: 00001930S

View just this record

NEW YEAR'S DAY

THE IRISH BELIEVE IN SERVING PORK ON NEW YEAR'S DAY
AS PART OF A HOPE FOR PLENTY OF FOOD DURING THE YEAR.
THIS USUALLY INCLUDES EITHER PORK OR BACON.

Where learned: DETROIT

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
BELIEF -- Measure of time Year

Date learned: 00001950S

View just this record

NEW YEAR'S DAY

IN ALABAMA, BLACK-EYED PEAS ARE SERVED AS THE LUCKY FOOD FOR
NEW YEAR'S DAY

Where learned: DETROIT

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
Food Drink -- Plant food Vegetable
BELIEF -- Good luck

Date learned: 00001930S

View just this record

FOOD CUSTOM

BAKING CHANGE INTO A BIRTHDAY CAKE FOR THE BIRTHDAY BOY OR GIRL AND
THE OTHERS TO FIND AND KEEP.

Submitter comment: THIS WAS DONE BY MY GRANDMOTHER WHILE I WAS YOUNG. SHE WAS A SECOND
GENERATION GERMAN AMERICAN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LINCOLN PARK

James Callow Keyword(s): COINS ; MONEY

Subject headings: Favorites
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of quality Monetary system Money Wealth
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Private birthday or anniversary
Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals
Food Drink -- Pastry Sweet Dessert

Date learned: 00-00-1967

View just this record

IF YOU EAT BLACK-EYE PEAS ON NEW YEAR'S DAY YOU WILL
BE PROSPEROUS DURING THE YEAR.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

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
BELIEF -- Measure of time Year

Date learned: 03-00-1982

View just this record

CELEBRATE THE FEAST OF YOUR PATRON SAINT. MAKE A CAKE FOR THE PERSON
WHOSE SAINT DAY IT IS.

Submitter comment: THIS WAS ORIGINALLY LEARNED IN WATERTOWN, NEW YORK

Where learned: NEW YORK ; WATERTOWN

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Private birthday or anniversary
Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals
Food Drink -- Pastry Sweet Dessert
BELIEF -- Religious hero

Date learned: 00-00-1959

View just this record

ON GOOD FRIDAY, THE HOUSE IS OPEN TO THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY.
ONLY BREAD AND WATER IS SERVED BECAUSE THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY EATS
ONLY ONE MEAL FROM THURSDAY TO SUNDAY.

Submitter comment: THE CITY OF WATERTOWN, IS ONE OF THE LARGER UPPER NEW YORK STATE
CITIES. THERE IS A VERY DIVERSIFIED GROUPS OF PEOPLE. MY FATHER
LIVED IN A MOSTLY. ITALIAN SECTION OF THE CITY
THE ITALIANS DO NOT EAT FROM DINNER WEDNESDAY TO EASTER DINNER ON
SUNDAY AFTERNOON.
THIS WAS ORIGINALLY LEARNED IN WATERTOWN, NEW YORK

Where learned: NEW YORK ; WATERTOWN

Subject headings: Favorites
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F633 F633.12
Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals

Date learned: 00-00-1942

View just this record

prev | items
| next

University of Detroit Mercy
4001 W. McNichols Detroit , MI , 48221-3038
This site is endorsed by the University of Detroit Mercy (UDM) and supports the views, values, and mission of UDM. The University of Detroit Mercy web site provides links to other web sites, both public and private, for informational purposes. The inclusion of these links on UDM's site does not imply endorsement by the University. Please contact the Associate Dean for Technical Services and Library Systems for any questions regarding this web site.