Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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THIS IS A POLISH CUSTOM. ON THE FIRST BIRTHDAY OF A BABY
THE CHILD WAS TO SELECT FROM A WHISKEY GLASS, A DOLLAR
BILL, A ROSARY, AND A BOOK. WHATEVER HE OR SHE SELECTED
THAT WOULD INDICATE WHAT THE CHILD WOULD BE IN THE FUTURE.
Submitter comment:
MY DAD CHOSE THE DOLLAR BILL. HE ISN'T RICH BY ANY
MEANS BUT HE IS MONEY CONSCIOUS.
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: 10-12-1965
POLISH CUSTOM
WHEN A CHILD REACHES HIS FIRST BIRTHDAY, SEVERAL OBJECTS
ARE PLACED BEFORE HIM. E.G. BIBLE, ROSARY, MONEY,
WHISKEY GLASS, ETC. WHATEVER THE CHILD GRABS IS A
PREDICTION OF THE FUTURE--BIBLE=PRIEST; ROSARY=SISTER;
MONEY=BUSINESS; WHISKEY GLASS=DRUNK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: 00-00-1965
3 CELEBRATIONS IN BABY'S FIRST YEAR
IN KOREA, "SAMCHIL" IS CELEBRATED THREE WEEKS AFTER THE
BIRTH OF A BABY. FRIENDS BRING GIFTS AND "DUCK," A RICE
CAKE IS SERVED.
"BAIK NAL" IS A SIMILAR CELEBRATION 100 DAYS AFTER THE
BIRTH OF THE BABY.
WHEN THE CHILD TURNS A YEAR OLD, THERE IS A BIG CELEBRATION
WHERE MANY FOODS ARE SERVED AND GUESTS BRING GIFTS OF
CLOTHES. EVERYTHING IS PLACED ON A TABLE; THE FOOD, THE
GIFTS, AND EVEN THE BABY. EVERYONE WAITS TO SEE WHICH
OBJECT THE CHILD WILL GRASP FIRST. IF HE GRASPS A BOOK,
HE WILL BE A VERY BRILLIANT PERSON, IF HE GRASPS A COIN,
HE WILL BE A WEALTHY MERCHANT, ETC.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
EXPECTANT PARENTS ARE SOMETIMES PRESENTED WITH BABY STORKS
OF RICE DOUGH, ONE WHITE AND ONE RED, EMBLEMS OF CONGRAT-
ULATIONS. ALSO, WITH A THIN WHITE COTTON SASH, WITH THE
ENDS DIPPED IN ROUGE. THIS IS USED AT A CEREMONY AT
WHICH ONLY THE TWO SPOUSES, WOMEN MEMBERS OF BOTH
FAMILIES ARE PRESENT. THE SASH IS PASSED THROUGH THE
GARMENT SLEEVES OF THE FATHER-TO-BE, FROM LEFT TO RIGHT.
THEN IT IS ADJUSTED AROUND THE MOTHER-TO-BE (SEATED NEXT TO
HIM) WHO IS HENCEFORTH REGARDED AS A "LADY OF RETIREMENT."
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LEARNED THE ABOVE FROM A MEMBER OF HER FAMILY
WHO WENT THROUGH SUCH A CEREMONY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: 08-01-1964
RURAL AREAS STILL CARRY ON THE CUSTOM WHEREBY EXPECTANT
PARENTS SOMETIMES BORROWED A BABY TO KEEP IN THEIR HOME
UNTIL THEIR OWN CHILD WAS BORN.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LEARNED OF THE ABOVE WHILE LIVING AT HER
FATHER'S ANCESTRAL HOME IN OKAYAMA PREFECTURE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: 08-01-1964
IF A NEWBORN CHILD IS THOUGHT TO HAVE AN "EVIL EYE"
MIX SALT AND CHILI AND PASS IT OVER THE CHILD, THEN
THROW THE COMBINATION INTO A FIRE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: 10-30-1969
IT IS COMMON IN SEVERAL PARTS OF SPAIN TO SAY THAT, IF A
BOY IS BORN HEAD-FIRST, HE WILL BE A NOTHING IN LIFE.
IF BORN FEET-FIRST, HE WILL GROW TO BE A VERY SUCCESS-
FUL AND COMPETENT MAN.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: 03-17-1968
IT IS BETTER TO NAME A BABY BEFORE IT IS BORN.
Where learned: PASTEUR SCHOOL
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: 01-29-1968
WHEN A CHILD IS BORN THE FATHER HANDS OUT CIGARS.
BLUE CIGAR BANDS INDICATE A BOY; PINK A GIRL.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; WILSON
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
NAVAJO INDIANS: NEW MEXICO
IF A MOTHER DIES AT CHILDBIRTH THE BABY IS TAKEN TO
THE TRADING POST AND GIVEN TO THE WHITE TRADERS.
THEY KEEP THEM FOR THEMSELVES OR TURN THEM INTO THE
HOSPITAL. MM
WHEN TWINS ARE BORN, THE STRONGEST ONE IS USUALLY
PICKED OUT AND THE OTHER ONE IS TAKEN AWAY AND LEFT
TO DIE. THERE ARE VERY FEW TWINS ON THE RESERVATION.
A FEW HAVE KEPT THEM IN THE LAST FEW YEARS (1960S)
BUT THIS CUSTOM IS STILL WIDESPREAD.
Where learned: NEW MEXICO ; SHIPROCK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
THE ORIGIN OF WITCHES MILK IS THE ENLARGED BREASTS OF
THE INFANT AT BIRTH. (IF THEY HAPPEN TO BE ENLARGED).
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: 03-15-1970
HUNGARIAN CUSTOM
IMMEDIATELY AFTER A CHILD IS BORN, THE MOTHER SELECTS
A GODMOTHER. THE GODMOTHER IS THEN SUPPOSED TO
PROVIDE THE VERY BEST OF FOOD FOR A WEEK FOR THE
MOTHER OF THE CHILD.
Submitter comment: ATTITUDE: AMUSED.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
THE EXKIMOES HAD A CUSTOM THAT WHEN THEIR CHILDREN
WERE BORN, INSTEAD OF SLAPPING THEM, THEY WOULD CUT A
HOLE IN THE ICE AND STICK THEM IN IT HEAD-FIRST
TO MAKE THEM BREATHE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: 00-00-1968
IN ALASKA AMONG THE PRIMITIVE PEOPLE, WHEN A WOMAN IS
JUST ABOUT TO DELIVER HER CHILD, SHE DIGS A SHALLOW
HOLE IN THE GROUND AND SITS IN THE HOLE UNTIL HER
CHILD IS BORN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: 10-02-1967
TIE A RED RIBBON AROUND A BABY'S NECK TO PREVENT ANYONE
FROM PUTTING A CURSE ON IT.
PUT A SILVER DOLLAR IN A BABY'S CLOTHING TO PREVENT
ANYONE FROM PUTTING A CURSE ON IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Curse |
Date learned: 07-00-1964
BEFORE A BABY IS BORN, HANG GARLIC AROUND YOUR NECK TO
CHASE AWAY THE EVIL SPIRITS.
Submitter comment: FROM MRS. HOWARD, OF SCOTCH-IRISH DESCENT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: 00001964 SUMMER
ITALIAN GIRLS WHEN ONLY FOUR HOURS OLD, HAVE THEIR
EARS PIERCED FOR FUTURE EARRINGS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MARYGROVE COLLEGE ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: 00001968 FALL
SOME PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT THE MALE CHILD TAKES LONGER TO
DEVELOP DURING PREGNANCY AND THAT PREGNANCY WILL LAST
THE ENTIRE NINE MONTHS; BUT THAT THE FEMALE WILL BE
BORN PREMATURELY.
Submitter comment: LEARNED THIS FROM HIS AUNT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: 08-00-1967
THE GERMAN FATHERS INSIST ON BLOWING THE FIRST BREATH
OF LIFE INTO THE MOUTH OF THEIR NEW BORN SONS.
Submitter comment: I SAW THIS DONE ON TELEVISION.
Where learned: NEW HAMPSHIRE ; MILFORD
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: 09-00-1967
A GREEK-AMERICAN BABY WHEN BORN HAS A PIECE OF GOLD PLACED
ON IT, BECAUSE ON THE FIRST THREE DAYS OF BIRTH, THE
FAIRIES COME TO DECIDE THE BABY'S FATE. IF THERE IS
GOLD, THEN ALL WILL GO WELL.
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM CHILDHOOD.
Where learned: MAIL
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: 08-00-1967