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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for N222.9 returned 393 results.
ON NEW YEAR'S EVE WE DRINK HOT RED WINE MIXED WITH HOT CINNAMON
STICKS AND ROCK CANDY. THE WINE MUST BE HOT TO INSURE A WARM AND
SAFE NEW YEAR.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT TOLD ME THAT SHE TRIED TO USE THIS CUSTOM ON HER
CHILDREN, BUT THEY THOUGHT IT WAS SILLY AND THEY DID NOT LIKE
THE WAY THE WINE TASTED.
THIS WAS DONE BY INFORMANT WHEN SHE WAS A CHILD IN GERMANY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 02-00-1982
ON NEW YEAR'S EVE, WE ALWAYS EAT BLACK-EYED PEAS AND GREENS,
BECAUSE BLACK-EYED PEAS BRING LUCK AND GREENS BRING MONEY.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT TOLD ME SHE LEARNED THIS FROM HER HUSBAND WHO IS
FROM THE SOUTH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC
Date learned: 02-00-1982
WE CELEBRATE A HOLIDAY IN GERMANY CALLED "FAST NACH." IT IS LIKE
HALLOWEEN ONLY IS IS CELEBRATED IN FEBRUARY. ALL THE CHILDREN
AND ADULTS DRESS UP IN COSTUMES AND HAVE A PARADE TO CHASE AWAY
THE GHOSTS. WE CAN NOT EAT MEAT ON THIS DAY, SO WE EAT DONUTS
INSTEAD. THIS IS DONE IN MOST SMALL TOWNS IN GERMANY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): ABSTINENCE ; CARNIVAL ; FASTNACHT
Date learned: 02-00-1982
HOLIDAY DINING CUSTOM
FOR A HOLIDAY, IF AN UNEVEN GROUP OF PEOPLE SIT AT THE TABLE, YOU
SHOULD LEAVE AN EMPTY PLACE SETTING.
Submitter comment: THE ITEM WAS LEARNED IN WYANDOTTE, MICHIGAN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
Date learned: CA00001960S
EASTER FOOD TRADITION
THE SATURDAY BEFORE EASTER, YOU TAKE A BASKET FILLED WITH COLORED
EGGS, BREAD, KABOSA, BUTTERLAMB, SALT AND PEPPER TO THE PRIEST WHO
WILL BLESS THE FOOD WITH HOLY WATER ALLOWING IT TO BE EATEN
ON EASTER.
Submitter comment: THIS ITEM WAS LEARNED IN WYANDOTTE, MICHIGAN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | 663 Holy Saturday CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: CA00001960S
THANKSGIVING DAY FOOD TRADITION
ON THANKSGIVING DAY, THE ALLEN FAMILY EATS CREAMED ONIONS.
Submitter comment: THIS ITEM WAS LEARNED IN DETROIT
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; BOTSFORD GRADE SCHOOL ; WAYNE COUNTY
Date learned: CA00001930S
NEW YEAR'S DAY FOOD TRADITION
ON NEW YEAR'S DAY, A POOR BOY'S MEAL IS HAD CONSISTING OF BOILED
CABBAGE, BOILED POTATOES, HAM HOCKS AND CORN BREAD.
Submitter comment: ITEM WAS LEARNED IN WEST VIRGINIA ALTHOUGH COLLECTED IN DETROIT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; BOTSFORD GRADE SCHOOL ; CLARENCEVILLE DISTRICT
| 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: 11-00-1982
NEW YEAR'S DAY FOOD TRADITION
ON NEW YEAR'S DAY, THE CORN BREAD HAD WITH THE POOR BOY'S MEAL
CONTAINS A DIME WHICH WILL GIVE GOOD LUCK TO THE PERSON WHO GETS IT.
Submitter comment: ITEM WAS LEARNED IN WEST VIRGINIA ALTHOUGH COLLECTED IN DETROIT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; BOTSFORD GRADE SCHOOL ; CLARENCEVILLE DISTRICT
Date learned: 11-00-1982
CHRISTMAS DINNER TRADITION
BEFORE EATING THE CHRISTMAS DINNER, THE HEAD OF THE HOUSEHOLD
BLESSES EACH ROOM AND ALL GUESTS WITH HOLY WATER.
Submitter comment: ITEM WAS LEARNED IN MINNESOTA BUT COLLECTED IN DETROIT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; BOTSFORD GRADE SCHOOL ; CLARENCEVILLE DISTRICT
Date learned: 11-00-1982
JEWISH NEW YEAR FOOD TRADITION
AT JEWISH NEW YEAR AT THE DINNER ON ROSH HASHONAH WE DIP SLICES OF
APPLE IN HONEY TO SYMBOLIZE LOOKING FORWARD TO A SWEET YEAR.
Submitter comment: ITEM WAS LEARNED IN THE CITY OF DETROIT ALTHOUGH COLLECTED IN SUBURB
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; BOTSFORD GRADE SCHOOL ; CLARENCEVILLE DISTRICT
| 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 Fruit |
Date learned: 11-00-1982
CHRISTMAS GIFT TRADITION
IN OUR FAMILY, EVERY CHRISTMAS WE ALWAYS PUT A SMALL WRAPPED GIFT
AT EACH PERSON'S PLATE FOR CHRISTMAS DINNER. WE CALL THEM TABLE
GIFTS.
Submitter comment: ITEM WAS LEARNED IN NOVA SCOTIA ALTHOUGH COLLECTED IN DETROIT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; BOTSFORD GRADE SCHOOL ; CLARENCEVILLE DISTRICT
Date learned: 11-00-1982
FAMILY FOOD TRADITION
EVERY SATURDAY NIGHT WE HAD HOME BAKED BEANS AND HOME MADE BROWN
BREAD WHEN I LIVED IN NOVA SCOTIA.
Submitter comment: ITEM WAS LEARNED IN NOVA SCOTIA ALTHOUGH COLLECTED IN DETROIT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; BOTSFORD GRADE SCHOOL ; CLARENCEVILLE DISTRICT
Date learned: 11-00-1982
ETHNIC FOOD COMBINATION
MY ITALIAN MOTHER LEARNED TO MAKE ARMENIAN FOODS FROM HER
ARMENIAN MOTHER-IN-LAW. ON HOLIDAYS AND SPECIAL OCCASIONS
SHE OFTEN PREPARES DISHES OF BOTH ITALIAN AND ARMENIAN ORIGIN.
THIS SHOWS THAT DIFFERENT ETHNIC FOODS CAN EXIST AND SURVIVE
SIDE BY SIDE, CONTRARY TO THE OPINION OF SOME FOLKLORISTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CLINTON TOWNSHIP
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals Food Drink -- Kind of Food and Its Preparation |
Date learned: 11-00-1982
ITALIAN MARRIAGE CUSTOMS
WHEN AN ITALIAN FAMILY CELEBRATES A WEDDING IT IS CUSTOMARY AND
GOOD LUCK TO MAKE CANDIED ALMONDS FOR THE GUESTS. ABOUT FIVE OF
THESE ALMONDS ARE GATHERED IN A LACE MATERIAL AND TIED WITH A BOW.
THEY ARE EITHER KEPT FOR GOOD LUCK OR EATEN AS A CANDY.
Submitter comment:
THE GUESTS USUALLY EAT THESE CANDIES AS MOST OF THEM
LACK AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE ITALIAN BELIEF THAT THESE CANDIES BRING
GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals |
FASCHNACHT DAY
ON THE DAY BEFORE ASH WEDNESDAY, THE CHILDREN
OF LEWISTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA WOULD BRING DOUGHNUTS
TO THEIR SCHOOLROOM EARLY, BEFORE THEIR TEACHER
ARRIVED. WHEN THEIR TEACHER SHOWED UP, THEY
WOULD LOCK HIM, OR HER, OUT OF THE ROOM, EAT THE
DOUGHNUTS, AND REMAIN LOCKED IN THE CLASSROOM
UNTIL THE TEACHER FINALLY LEFT. WHEN THEY WERE
SURE THAT THE TEACHER HAD GONE, THE CHILDREN WENT
HOME FOR THE DAY.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT CANNOT RECALL THE DATE THAT HER
FATHER TOLD HER THE STORY. HER FATHER'S NAME
IS MARTIN GINGERICH, BORN MAY 24, 1933, LEWISTOWN,
PENNSYLVANIA. HER FATHER REMEMBERS THIS CUSTOM
FROM LEWISTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA AROUND 1942. THOUGH
HE BELIEVES THAT IT BEGAN AS A PENNSYLVANIA DUTCH
CUSTOM, ALL CHILDREN PARTICIPATED.
THE INFORMANT CELEBRATED FASCHNACHT IN ANN ARBOR,
MICHIGAN IN 1982 BY BAKING SEVERAL BATCHES OF DOUGHNUTS
AND EATING THEM ON THE SAME DAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
James Callow Keyword(s): LOCK-OUT ; THE LOCK OUT
Date learned: 09-00-1982
RURAL BLACK NEW YEAR'S CUSTOM
DURING THE DEPRESSION, IN LOUISVILLE, MISSISSIPPI IT WAS
CUSTOMARY AMONG BLACKS TO PREPARE HOG JOWLS AND BLACK-EYED
PEAS AS THE FIRST MEAL OF THE NEW YEAR. IT WAS THOUGHT
THAT THIS WOULD BRING GOOD LUCK FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR.
I DON'T THINK THAT ANYONE ACTUALLY BELIEVED THAT GOOD LUCK
COULD RESULT FROM EATING A PARTICULAR MEAL. IT WAS JUST
A CUSTOMARY THING TO DO. SOMETIMES, AFTER WE CAME NORTH,
WE WOULD STILL FIX THE MEAL FOR NEW YEAR'S. AFTER I GOT
MARRIED, IN 1950, I DON'T RECALL PREPARING ANY PARTICULAR
MEAL ON NEW YEAR'S.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT LIVED IN LOUISVILLE, MISSISSIPPI UNTIL BEING
SENT OVERSEAS IN WORLD WAR II. BY HIS RETURN, IN 1946,
THE FAMILY HAD MOVED TO DETROIT. THE INFORMANT HAS LIVED
IN DETROIT SINCE THAT TIME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 09-00-1982
UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX FUNERAL CUSTOM
FORTY DAYS AFTER THE DEATH OF A FAMILY MEMBER, SOME
UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX FAMILIES PREPARE A TRADITIONAL MEAL.
FOR EACH INVITED GUEST, A SMALL, ROUND BREAD CALLED A
PASKA IS BAKED. A CANDLE IS PLACED IN THE CENTER OF THE
BREAD. THE FORTY DAYS AND THE CANDLE BOTH ARE SYMBOLIC
OF CHRIST AND HIS ASCENSION INTO HEAVEN FORTY DAYS AFTER
EASTER.
Submitter comment:
MANY BYZANTINE RITE CATHOLICS ARE BEGINNING TO CELEBRATE
THE FORTY DAY ANNIVERSARY WITH A MASS FOR THE DECEASED.
Where learned: CANADA ; ALBERTA ; WILLINGDON
Keyword(s): SYMBOLS
UKRAINIAN WEDDING BREAD - KOROVAI
IN PLACE OF THE WEDDING CAKE AT THE RECEPTION, A LARGE
CIRCULAR BREAD IS BAKED AND PLACED ON THE BRIDAL TABLE.
THE TOP OF THE BREAD IS FANCILY BRAIDED. BIRDS MADE FROM
THE SAME SWEET BREAD DOUGH ARE ATTACHED TO THE TOP AND
SIDES OF THE BREAD. THIS SPECIAL BREAD CALLED KOROVAI IS
DISTRIBUTED TO THE GUESTS. SOME OF THE GUESTS WHO RECEIVE
A BIRD, KEEP THEM AS A REMEMBRANCE OF A SPECIAL DAY.
EVEN THOUGH THE WEDDING BREAD IS STILL BEING MADE, IT DOES
NOT ALWAYS REPLACE THE WEDDING CAKE ANY MORE.
Submitter comment:
MY SISTER WAS MAID OF HONOR AT A DETROIT WEDDING IN 1976.
THE BRIDE'S MOTHER HAD BAKED THE WEDDING BREAD AND MY
SISTER STILL HAS A BIRD FROM THAT WEDDING BREAD.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; ROCHESTER
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Reception Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals |
Date learned: 00001950S
UKRAINIAN WHEAT DISH-KUTIA
A VERY IMPORTANT PART OF THE CHRISTMAS EVE SUPPER IS THE
KUTIA. THE WHEAT FOR THE KUTIA IS SOAKED OVERNIGHT AND THE
NEXT DAY IT IS BOILED UNTIL SOFT. THE COOK ADDS OTHER
INGREDIENTS WHICH VARY ACCORDING TO THE REGIONS. SOME ADD
ONLY HONEY WHICH HAS BEEN DILUTED INTO A WATERY SYRUP. OTHERS
ADD DILUTED HONEY, POPPY SEED, AND CHOPPED NUTS. BESIDES THE
VARYING INGREDIENTS, THE PLACE IT OCCUPIES IN THE MEAL ALSO
VARIES. IN SOME UKRAINIAN HOMES, THE KUTIA IS THE FIRST FOOD
EATEN BEGINNING IN ORDER FROM THE OLDEST MEMBER OF THE FAMILY
TO THE YOUNGEST. USUALLY ONLY A SPOONFUL IS TAKEN FROM THE
BOWL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TABLE. OTHER UKRAINIANS USE THE
KUTIA AT THE END OF THE MEAL AS A DESSERT. IT WOULD HAVE
POPPY SEED AND NUTS WHEN USED AS A DESSERT. OFTEN IT WOULD
BE EATEN WITH HOMEMADE BAKED GOODS SUCH AS HONEY CAKE CALLED
MEDEVNUK OR POPPY SEED ROLL CALLED MAKEVNUK.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; ROCHESTER
Date learned: 00001950S
CZECHOSLOVAKIAN CHRISTMAS EVE CUSTOM
SMALL BUNS ARE BAKED FOR THE HOLY SUPPER. BEFORE THE
SUPPER BEGINS, THE HEAD OF THE FAMILY AND SOME MEMBERS OF
THE FAMILY, GO TO THE BARN. THEY GIVE A SMALL BUN TO EACH
OF THE ANIMALS. THEY BELIEVE THE ANIMALS ARE SPECIAL SINCE
THEY WERE THE ONLY ONES PRESENT WITH THE HOLY FAMILY ON
THAT FIRST CHRISTMAS NIGHT. THE FAMILY RETURNS TO THE
HOUSE AND THEIR HOLY SUPPER BEGINS. THEY ALSO PARTAKE OF
THE SMALL BUNS. THE BREAD COMMEMORATES THE CHRIST CHILD
WHO IS THE BREAD OF LIFE.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; SLOATSBURG
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals |
Date learned: 00001980S