Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for F642 returned 214 results.
NEW YEAR'S CUSTOM
IF YOU LAY A BROOM ACROSS THE DOOR-WAY,
THE FIRST PERSON TO PICK IT UP AND GIVE IT
TO YOU WILL BE AN ENEMY OF YOURS THAT YEAR.
Submitter comment:
LEARNED FROM GRANDMOTHER
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FIRST FOOTING
Date learned: 12-06-1967
NEW YEAR'S CUSTOM
THE IRISH AT NEW YEAR'S ALWAYS HAVE PORK FOR DINNER AND
LEAVE MONEY ON THE OUTSIDE OF A WINDOW AND TAKE IT ON
NEW YEAR'S DAY. SIGNIFICANCE IS THEY NEVER WILL BE BROKE
FOR THE YEAR.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
Keyword(s): GIFTGIVING
Date learned: 04-01-1972
NEW YEAR CUSTOM
THERE IS A GREEK TRADITION WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO BRING
GOOD LUCK. THERE IS A PASTRY CALLED PETA WHICH IS BAKED
IN A SQUARE PAN. BEFORE IT IS BAKED THE COOK PUTS
MONEY RANGING FROM A NICKEL TO FIFTY CENTS. IT USED TO BE
A FIFTY CENT PIECE BUT NOW THAT MONEY IS PRECIOUS IT'S GETTING
SMALLER AND SMALLER. ANYWAYS, THEY PUT THIS COIN IN THE DOUGH
AND BAKE IT. THE PERSON WHO GETS THE PIECE WITH THE COIN
WILL HAVE GOOD LUCK THAT WHOLE YEAR. THE CEREMONY HAPPENS ON
NEW YEAR'S DAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): DOUGH CALLED "FILO" ; GIFTGIVING ; GREEK CHEESE IS CALLED "FETA"
Date learned: 02-23-1972
CUSTOM-FIRST FOOTING
THE FIRST PERSON TO STEP FOOT IN YOUR HOUSE AFTER THE NEW YEAR
CANNOT DO SO EMPTY-HANDED. IF THEY DO IT MEANS THAT YOU AND YOUR
FAMILY WILL HAVE A LEAN YEAR. IF THEY BRING A GIFT, THEN YOU AND
YOUR FAMILY WILL HAVE A FAT YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC ; SYMBOLIC ACTION
Date learned: 09-26-1965
CUSTOM
WHEN INFORMANT WAS LITTLE, A FAMILY
CUSTOM AT NEW YEAR'S WAS TO BE SURE THAT
SOMEONE--THE FIRST PERSON INTO THE HOUSE AFTER
MIDNIGHT--BROUGHT WITH HIM SOME BREAD
AND A BOTTLE OF WINE TO INSURE A FULL
CUPBOARD DURING THE COMING YEAR. IF NO ONE
WAS GOING TO BE OUT LATE, THE PROVISIONS
WERE LEFT OUT ON THE KITCHEN TABLE UNTIL
MORNING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
Keyword(s): GIFTGIVING ; HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC
Date learned: 11-08-1967
Christmas Wafer
Before eating dinner on Christmas Eve the family break a Christmas wafer and wishes everyone good luck.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO
Silver Dollar
On New Year's Day you wash your hands, get them lathered and then wash them with a silver dollar. This brings wealth in the New Year.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 |
Nuts & Candy
Informant's father, on Christmas Day and New Year's Day, throws nuts and candy at everyone and wishes them good luck and good health.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 |
Pennies
Between Christmas and New Year's, informant puts pennies on all the window sills and this brings wealth in the next year.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 |
Three Kings
Informant writes the name of the Three Kings above the door after Christmas time for good luck (The Feast of the Three Kings).
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 |
It is tradition in our family that the whole family attends midnight mass together. After the mass the children could open their presents.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 18085 St. Louis
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 |
AT CHRISTMAS TIME A MANGER SCENE IS SET UP. THE INFANT, HOWEVER, IS NOT
PLACED IN THE CRIB UNTIL CHRISTMAS MORNING AND THE THREE WISE MEN ARE NOT PLACED WITH THE SCENE UNTIL
"THREE KING'S DAY" (JANUARY 6).
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector are the same person.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 10-07-1972
CHRISTMAS SONGS ARE NEVER SUNG OR PLAYED, IN OUR FAMILY, UNTIL AFTER
ADVENT STARTS. THIS IS ON OR ABOUT THE FIRST WEEK OF DECEMBER.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector are the same person.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 645 645.2 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 |
Date learned: 10-07-1972
CHRISTMAS EVE CUSTOM
PUTTING A PILE OF STRAW IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TABLE, THEN THE MAIN
COURSES OF FOOD (IN LARGE BOWLS) ARE PLACED ON THE STRAW. IF THE
STRAW STICKS TO THE BOWL, THEN THAT PARTICULAR FOOD WILL BE
PLENTIFUL THE COMING YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 10-07-1972
WE HAD A SMALL WOODEN MANGER MADE FOR OUR FAMILY BY A FRIEND.
DURING ADVENT, EVERY TIME ONE OF THE CHILDREN WOULD DO A GOOD DEED,
HE OR SHE COULD PUT IN A SMALL PIECE OF YARN. BY CHRISTMAS EVE IT
WOULD BE QUITE SOFT FOR "BABY JESUS."
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share same surname and place of residence.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 645 645.2 Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F122 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Manger scenes |
Date learned: 10-07-1972
ADVENT WREATH
DURING ADVENT WE ALSO HAD AN ADVENT WREATH. THIS WAS ALWAYS MADE FROM
THE GREENS FROM THE EVERGREEN OUTSIDE OUR HOUSE, FOUR
WHITE CANDLES
AND HUNG WITH RED RIBBON. EVERY SUNDAY, ANOTHER CANDLE WAS LIT WHILE
SOMEONE READ THE GOSPEL FOR THAT DAY.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share the same surname and place of residence.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 10-07-1972
WHEN I WAS A KID, OUR FAMILY MADE ADVENT CALENDARS AT CHRISTMAS TIME.
THIS CALENDAR CONSISTED OF A PICTURE WITH DOORS AND WINDOWS THAT OPENED.
ON EACH DOOR OR WINDOW WAS A DAY FROM 1 TO 25, THE DATES IN DECEMBER
BEFORE CHRISTMAS. LITTLE PIECES OF PAPER WITH THINGS TO DO WERE
PLACED BEHIND THE DOORS AND WINDOWS. EACH DAY SOMEONE WOULD OPEN THE
DOOR OR WINDOW FOR THAT DAY AND DO WHAT THE SLIP OF PAPER SAID.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector are the same person.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 645 645.2 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 |
Date learned: 10-07-1972
ON CHRISTMAS EVE, BEFORE WE COULD GET OUR GIFTS, EVERY CHILD HAD TO
DO SOMETHING FOR THE REST OF THE FAMILY (MAKE UP AND READ A POEM
OR STORY, SING A SONG, PLAY THE PIANO, ETC.). MY MOTHER'S PART IN
THE PROGRAM WAS TO PLAY "SILENT NIGHT" ON THE PIANO. MY DAD'S PART
WAS TO PASS OUT PRESENTS.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share the same surname and place of residence.
James Callow comment:
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F122 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 |
Date learned: 10-07-1972
ADVENT CALENDAR
FOR ADVENT ONE OF THE KIDS IN THE FAMILY (USUALLY THE OLDEST)
WOULD MAKE AN ADVENT CALENDAR. THIS CONSISTS OF TWO LARGE
PIECES OF CARDBOARD PUT TOGETHER. THERE WOULD BE A PICTURE ON ONE
SIDE AND CERTAIN ITEMS IN THE PICTURE WOULD BE NUMBERED AND MADE
SO IT COULD BE OPENED. BEHIND EACH NUMBER (ONE FOR EACH DAY
OF DECEMBER) WOULD BE A PICTURE AND THE REST OF THE FAMILY WOULD
GUESS WHAT IT WOULD BE. ALWAYS BEHIND #25 WOULD BE THE
NATIVITY SCENE. ONLY ONE NUMBER WOULD BE OPENED A DAY. THERE
WAS NO REWARD FOR GUESSING THE RIGHT PICTURE.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share the same surname and place of residence.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 645 645.2 Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Guessing CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F120 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Month CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 |
Date learned: 10-07-1972
SANTA
ITALIAN CHILDREN DO NOT WAIT FOR SANTA CLAUS. THEY HAVE A
WOMAN NAMED "LA BEFANA" WHICH MEANS THE GOOD ONE. SHE COMES ON
TWELFTH NIGHT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 |
Date learned: 11-09-1972