Dr. James T. Callow publications
Browse by
Questions or comments on this site? Please email davidsor@udmercy.edu.
The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for 686.1.1 returned 589 results.
POLISH CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
THE CHRISTMAS EVE SUPPER CONSISTED OF THE TRADITIONAL RED BEET
SOUP CALLED "KIVAS" SERVED ONLY WITH WHITE SLENDER EGG-NOODLES.
HERRING FISH CALLED "SLEDZIE" AND ONLY ONE PIECE OF WHITE HOMEMADE
BREAD WERE ALSO SERVED. THESE WERE THE ONLY THINGS ON THE TABLE.
WHITE DISHES COULD ONLY BE USED TOO. OPLATKI (UNLEAVED (UNLEAVENED)
BREAD) WAS SERVED FIRST. EVERYONE SHARED THEIR PIECE WITH EVERYONE
ELSE. THE BREAD SLICE WAS CALLED "CZERWONI KIVAS" AND WAS ONLY
ONE PER PERSON.
Submitter comment:
MY MOTHER TOLD ME ABOUT THIS CUSTOM. SHE HEARD IT FROM HER
GRANDMOTHER MRS. KATHERINE ANDZYEWSKI IN TOLEDO ABOUT 1930. SHE
WAS 60 AT THE TIME AND DIED 13 YEARS LATER.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Keyword(s): CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; FOOD ; holiday
Date learned: NOT RECORDED
CUSTOM-POLISH
THE CHRISTMAS EVE CEREMONY IS CALLED VIGELIA. IT BEGINS WHEN THE
FATHER OF THE HOUSE SEES THE FIRST STAR IN THE SKY. THEN THE FAMILY
SITS DOWN FOR DINNER. THE TABLE IS SET FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY--
BROTHERS, SISTERS, IN-LAWS, NIECES, NEPHEWS, ETC.,--WITH ONE
EXTRA PLACE IN CASE COMPANY SHOULD COME. UNDER THE TABLE CLOTH ARE
LITTLE PIECES OF STRAW TO SYMBOLIZE THE MANGER. THERE IS FASTING
ON THIS DAY--NO MEAT. THE DINNER CONSISTS OF 12 DIFFERENT
FOODS, SYMBOLIZING THE 12 APOSTLES--SUCH AS WINE, MUSHROOM SOUP,
HERRING, PEROGIA (A DOUGH AND CHEES DISH), BOILED PERCH, BOILED
POTATOES AND MASHED POTATOES, AND RELISHES. THERE IS ALSO A
LARGE HOST CALLED OPTATKE. THE FATHER AND THE MOTHER BREAK OFF A
PIECE OF THE HOST AND WISH EACH OTHER HEALTH AND HAPPINESS. THEY
THEN GO TO THE OLDEST SON AND HE TAKES A PIECE OFF THE HOST AND
A PIECE FROM BOTH THE MOTHER'S AND THE FATHER'S AND WISHES THEM
HEALTH AND HAPPINESS AND THIS IS PASSED THROUGH THE FAMILY LIKE THIS.
IT IS TO SYMBOLIZE UNITY. THEN TRADITIONAL POLISH CAROLES ARE
SUNG.
Submitter comment:
(STILL DONE IN AMERICA?) YES.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ABSTINENCE FROM MEAT ; CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; FAMILY UNITY ; FOOD ; holiday ; Vegetarian ; VIGELIA
Date learned: 11-04-1968
UKRAINIAN CHRISTMAS EVE MEAL
IN SPITE OF THE OBSERVATION OF A BLACK FAST, 12 DIFFERENT KINDS
OF FOOD ARE SERVED.
STRAW IS SCATTERED UNDERNEATH THE TABLE IN REMEMBERANCE
OF THE STABLE WHERE CHRIST WAS BORN.
"DIDUKH" IS A SHEAF OF STRAW IN THE FORM OF A MAN WHICH IS PUT
IN A CORNER AND SYMBOLIZES LAND FERTILITY.
THE FAMILY SITS DOWN TO SUPPER ONLY AFTER THE APPEARANCE OF THE
FIRST EVENING STAR.
IF THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE SEATED IS AN ODD NUMBER, AN EXTRA CHAIR
IS SET TO SYMBOLIZE A DECEASED RELATIVE OR FRIEND, OR A MEMBER OF
THE FAMILY WHO IS UNABLE TO BE PRESENT.
THE FATHER CUTS THE BREAD INTO THE NUMBER OF PIECES AS THERE
ARE PEOPLE PRESENT, DIPS EACH PIECE IN HONEY (SYMBOLIZING LAND
FERTILITY), GIVES ONE TO EACH PERSON, KISSES HIM AND WISHES HIM
GOOD LUCK.
THE HEAD OF THE HOUSEHOLD TAKES A SPOONFUL OF ONE OF THE TWELVE
DIFFERENT DISHES, KUTYA, (MADE OF BARLEY AND POPPYSEED AND
SEASONED WITH HONEY) AND THROWS IT UP TO THE CEILING. IT IS A
SIGN OF GOOD LUCK IF IT STICKS, AND OF BAD LUCK IF IT DOESN'T.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; FOOD ; holiday ; LUCK
Date learned: NOT RECORDED
CHRISTMAS CUSTOM-HOLY SUPPER
SOME UKRANIANS (UKRAINIANS) ON CHRISTMAS EVE (DEC. 24) EAT NO FOOD
UNTIL THE HOLY SUPPER. THE HOLY SUPPER CONSISTS OF A TWELVE COURSE
DINNER (TWELVE APOSTLES) WITH NO MEAT AND DAIRY PRODUCTS. CLOVES
OF GARLIC ARE ON EACH PLATE, THIS IS TO KEEP AWAY ILLNESS. THE
FIRST DISH IS A WHOLE GRAIN WITH HONEY AND POPPY SEEDS. ALL
TWELVE DISHES MUST BE TASTED AT LEAST.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT'S FRIEND SMENA RAKOVSKEY PRACTICED THIS CUSTOM.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ABSTINENCE FROM DAIRY PRODUCTS ; ABSTINENCE FROM MEAT ; CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; FOOD ; holiday ; Vegetarian
| Subject headings: | 122 Christmas 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. 686 Seconds / Twice / Two |
Date learned: 10-25-1971
SLICE OF BREAD
AT THE BEGINNING OF A POLISH, CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER, EVERYONE
IS GIVEN ONE PIECE OF BREAD. THIS ONE SLICE MUST LAST THEM
FOR THE ENTIRE MEAL.
IT IS BAD LUCK TO CONSUME THE BREAD BEFORE THE MEAL HAS BEEN
COMPLETED; YOU WILL GO HUNGARY (HUNGRY) OR NOT FULFILL SOME
DESIRE DURING THE COMING YEAR.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ETHNIC ; FOOD CUSTOM ; holiday ; LUCK ; POLISH ; tradition
| Subject headings: | 122 Christmas 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.2 |
Date learned: 11-00-1968
POLISH CUSTOM
ON CHRISTMAS EVE MY GRANDMOTHER WOULD MAKE 12 DIFFERENT FAST DISHES
(FISH, ETC.), REPRESENTING THE 12 APOSTLES. THE FAMILY COULD NOT
EAT UNTIL THE FIRST STAR SHONE.
Submitter comment:
THIS CUSTOM WAS PRACTICED TO SYMBOLIZE THE HOLINESS OF CHRISTMAS.
THE DISHES SERVED WERE ONES THAT WERE NOT PREPARED DURING THE YEAR.
AN APPRECIATION OF LIFE'S LITTLE PLEASURES WAS LEARNED, SINCE AT THE
TIME THIS WAS PRACTICED, THE FAMILY, AS WELL AS THE WHOLE COMMUNITY,
WERE POOR. THIS TRADITION HAS NOT BEEN CARRIED OUT FAITHFULLY AS
WHEN MY GRANDMOTHER WAS ALIVE. SINCE THAT TIME THE FAMILY HAS
GROWN MUCH LARGER AND HAVE MOVED TO DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE U.S.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TAYLOR
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. 686 Seconds / Twice / Two CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Menus |
Date learned: 00-00-1969
FIRSTS
WHEN OCCUPANTS ARE ENTERING THE NEW HOME FOR THE FIRST TIME, BRING
SALT AND RICE ALONG SO THAT THE HOUSE WILL BE BLESSED WITH MUCH FOOD
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. BELIEF -- Number |
Date learned: 12-00-1977
POLISH TRADITION FOR EASTER SUNDAY
WHEN YOU GO CALLING ON SOMEONE (USUALLY A RELATIVE) ON EASTER
SUNDAY THE FIRST PERSON WHO ENTERS THE HOUSE SHOULD BE A MALE AND
HE SAYS,"CHRYSUS PAN ZMARTWYSTAL", WHICH MEANS: CHRIST IS RISEN.
THEN THE PERSON RECEIVING THE GUESTS RESPONDS BY SAYING, "PRAWDZIWIE
ZMARTWYSTAL." THIS MEANS, "CHRIST IS REALLY RISEN."
Submitter comment:
FIRST FOOTING.
THIS TRADITION HAS BEEN DONE SINCE MY INFORMANT WAS A
YOUNGSTER AND HAS BEEN CARRIED DOWN TO HIS FAMILY TODAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00-00-1920
MARRIAGE CUSTOMS
AT A WEDDING IF YOU TAKE THE FIRST PIECE OF CAKE WITHOUT ANYONE
SEEING YOU AND PLACE IT UNDER YOUR PILLOW YOU WILL BE THE NEXT PERSON
TO GET MARRIED
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT ENCOURAGES HER GRANDDAUGHTER TO DO THIS
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. BELIEF -- Marriage Wedding cake |
Date learned: 10-00-1977
FOOL ME ONCE SHAME ON YOU, FOOL ME TWICE SHAME ON ME.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS WHEN SHE WAS YOUNG.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
James Callow Keyword(s): CONTRAST ; TRICKSTER
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. 686 Seconds / Twice / Two PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 01-00-1979
SUPERSTITION
IF A SHOP OWNER DOES NOT PLEASE THE FIRST CUSTOMER HE HAS IN THE
MORNING, HE WILL HAVE BAD LUCK FOR THE REST OF THE DAY.
Submitter comment:
MY INFORMANT CLAIMS THAT THIS SUPERSTITION IS BELIEVED WIDELY AMONG
JEWISH PEOPLE. SHE TOLD ME THAT HER FATHER USED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF
SHOP OWNERS WHO BELIEVED IN THIS SUPERSTITION BY MAKING IT A POINT
TO BE THE FIRST CUSTOMER OF THE DAY AND HAGGLING OVER THE PRICE
OF SOME ITEM IN ORDER TO GET A GOOD BUY.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. Favorites BELIEF -- Work Commerce Business BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour BELIEF -- Bad luck |
GOOD LUCK
WHEN OPENING A NEW PACK OF CIGARETTES, TAKE THE FIRST ONE OUT, TURN
IT UPSIDEDOWN, AND THEN PUT IT BACK IN, AND SAVE IT FOR LAST. THE
LAST CIGARETTE SMOKED WILL BE UPSIDEDOWN. WHILE SMOKING THE LAST
CIGARETTE, WHILE TAKING THE LAST PUFF, MAKE A WISH } }
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; RIVERVIEW
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. BELIEF -- Prayer BELIEF -- Number Last events: the last person to the table... |
NEW YEAR'S DAY
GOOD LUCK FOR A MAN TO ENTER THE HOUSE FIRST ON NEW YEAR'S DAY.
BAD LUCK FOR A WOMAN TO ENTER THE HOUSE FIRST ON NEW YEAR'S DAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 03-00-1979
CUSTOM ; BELIEF
WHEN YOU GET A NEW HOUSE OR A NEW CAR, MONEY (CHANGE) IS COLLECTED
FROM FRIENDS AND PUT INTO AN UNUSED CORNER OF THE HOUSE OR UNDER A
SEAT IN THE CAR. IT SHOULD LIE UNDISTURBED FROM THEN ON. THIS
BRINGS GOOD LUCK AND SAFETY TO A HOUSE OR CAR.
Submitter comment:
HE LEARNED THIS CUSTOM FROM HIS EX-WIFE, WHO IS LEBANESE, AND HE HAS
FOLLOWED IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; COLLECTORS HOME
Date learned: 01-00-1979
SUPERSTITION
WALKING WITH ONE SHOE ON AND ONE OFF RESULTS IN BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT SEES THIS BELIEF AS VALID. SHE REASONS THAT HAVING ONE
ARCH SUPPORTED AND THE OTHER UNSUPPORTED RESULTS IN BAD FEET.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; DEPARTMENT STORE
Date learned: 02-20-1979
CHRISTMAS
ON CHRISTMAS DAY, EVERYONE WAITS FOR THE FIRST STAR TO APPEAR
BEFORE THEY EAT. THIS IS SIGNIFICANT OF THE STAR THAT LED THE
THREE KINGS TO THE MANGER.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A POPULAR CUSTOM IN POLAND AND IN POLISH COMMUNITIES IN
THE U.S.A.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below. |
Date learned: 03-22-1979
A CLENCH OF THE FIST WITH THE THUMB UP MEANS YOU WANT ONE OF
SOMETHING.
Submitter comment:
IN 1977 I WAS IN ENGLAND. IF YOU WANTED ONE OF ANYTHING, THIS IS HOW
YOU WOULD INDICATE IT.
Where learned: ENGLAND
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. Favorites SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 07-00-1977
DARK HAIRED MAN MUST BE FIRST TO ENTER HOUSE ON NEW YEAR'S DAY FOR
YOU TO HAVE LUCK THE ENTIRE YEAR.
Submitter comment: SCOTTISH SUPERSTITION
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN HEIGHTS
Keyword(s): FIRST-FOOTING
Date learned: 01-00-1979
PREDICTION
IF YOU BATHE IN THE FIRST RAIN OF MAY YOU WILL REMAIN YOUNG.
Where learned: PUERTO RICO
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- May BELIEF -- P456 BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
FIRST DOLLAR EARNED IN A BUSINNES
IN EVERY CUBAN OR LATIN STORE IT IS ACCUSTOMED TO DISPLAY THE FIRST
DOLLAR BILL EARNED IN A PLACE SO THAT EVERYBODY CAN SEE IT.
Where learned: PUERTO RICO ; CUBA
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Work Commerce Business |
Date learned: 00-00-1979