Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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WHILE WORKING AT AN ORPHANAGE IN PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI,
I HEARD ABOUT VARIOUS VOODOO PRACTICES FROM THE SISTER IN
CHARGE OF THE ORPHANAGE, SISTER VERONICA. SISTER VERONICA
SHOWED US A 12 YEAR OLD BOY WHO WAS MENTALLY RETARDED AS
A RESULT OF BEING PART OF A VOODOO WORSHIP AS AN INFANT.
THE BOY'S HEAD WAS CRUSHED, AND A CROSS WAS ENGRAVED INTO
HIS SKULL. HIS TESTICLES WERE ALSO CUT OFF. HE MANAGED
TO SURVIVE, BUT HIS BRAIN WAS PERMANENTLY DAMAGED, AND
THE BOY IS ALSO CRIPPLED. NOW HE SITS ALL DAY CHAINED
INTO A CHAIR.
Submitter comment:
I SAW THIS BOY AND LEARNED OF HIS LIFE WHILE WORKING
AT THIS ORPHANAGE FOR A MONTH IN 1980.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
Date learned: 01-00-1980
WHILE WORKING AT AN ORPHANAGE IN PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI IN
1980, I MET A WOMAN NAMED MADAME PAPION. MADAME WAS A
DEVOUT CATHOLIC, YET ALSO A BELIEVER IN THE POWER OF THE
EVIL SPIRIT TO TAKE POSSESSION OF ONE'S BODY. SHE INFORMED
ME ABOUT HER SON WHO RECENTLY WAS POSSESSED. HE WOKE UP
DURING THE EVENING WITH HIS WHOLE BODY SHAKING AND HIS TEETH
CHATTERING AGAINST EACH OTHER. MADAME POURED HOLY WATER
OVER HIS BODY, AND IMMEDIATELY HIS SHAKING AND CHATTERING
STOPPED. HER SON KNEW NOTHING ABOUT THIS EVENT THE
FOLLOWING MORNING.
Submitter comment:
VOODOO BELIEFS ARE VERY PREVALENT IN HAITI, AND WATER
BLESSED BY A CATHOLIC PRIEST, HOLY WATER, IS OFTEN USED
TO CURE A PERSON FROM POSSESSION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color |
Date learned: 01-00-1980
WHILE WORKING AT AN ORPHANAGE IN PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI,
WE HEARD ABOUT VARIOUS VOODOO PRACTICES FROM THE SISTER IN
CHARGE OF THE ORPHANAGE, SISTER VERONICA. ONE PRACTICE
SHE INFORMED US ABOUT WAS BITING THE HEAD OFF OF A LIVE
CHICKEN AND THEN DRINKING THE BLOOD. BLOOD HAS A POWERFUL
INFLUENCE IN VOODOO PRACTICE.
Submitter comment:
I HEARD THIS STORY AMONG VARIOUS VOODOO STORIES WHILE
WORKING IN HAITI. VOODOO PRACTICES ARE VERY COMMON IN
HAITI.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Bird |
Date learned: 01-00-1980
IRISH RELIGIOUS CUSTOM
WHEN A PERSON WALKS INTO A NEW CHURCH HE OR SHE IS TO PUT $1 INTO
THE COLLECTION BOX AND MAKE 3 WISHES.
THIS IS A CUSTOM WHEN AN IRISHMAN WALKS INTO A NEW CHURCH
WHEN THE APPROPRIATE TIME COMES DURING THE MASS
TO PUT MONEY INTO THE COLLECTION BASKET, HE OR SHE IS TO
PUT ONE DOLLAR INTO THE BASKET AND MAKE A WISH.
THIS CUSTOM IS TO BRING LUCK AND GOOD FORTUNE IN THE COMING
YEAR. IF A PERSON FAILS TO PUT ANY MONEY INTO THE BASKET
THEN IT IS SAID THAT GOD WILL LOOK UPON HIM UNFAVORABLY IN THE
YEAR.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS TOLD TO HIM BY HIS FATHER WHO WAS BORN AND RAISED IN
IRELAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
POPE JOHN PAUL II VISITED DETROIT ON
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1987. THE DETROIT NEWS,
IN THEIR MORNING EDITION ON PAGE 5A, INCLUDED
WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS AND GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATIONS
SHOWING HOW TO FOLD PAGES OF THE NEWSPAPER INTO
"A PAPAL HAT."
Submitter comment:
A COPY OF THE NEWSPAPER PAGE WILL BE SUBMITTED
TO THE ARCHIVE AT U OF D. ALSO INCLUDED IS A
PHOTOGRAPH FROM THE MACOMB DAILY NEWSPAPER FROM
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 1987 WHICH SHOWS TWO BOYS
WEARING THE PAPAL HATS THAT THEY MADE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Dress Head |
MOTHER'S DAY
GOING TO MASS ON MOTHER'S DAY AT OUR POLISH
CHURCH, ALL THE MOTHERS WOULD BE WEARING
FLOWERS, ESPECIALLY CARNATIONS. THERE WAS
A SIGNIFICANCE TO THE COLOR OF THE CARNATION
FOR THE MOTHERS: IF A MOTHER'S OWN MOTHER AND
MOTHER-IN-LAW WERE ALIVE, SHE WOULD WEAR A
RED FLOWER, IF ONE OF THEM HAD DIED, SHE WOULD
WEAR A PINK FLOWER, AND IF BOTH HER MOTHERS
HAD DIED, SHE WOULD WEAR A WHITE FLOWER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): SYMBOLS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- May CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
IF YOU ARE WALKING PAST A CATHOLIC
CHURCH AND THE BELLS ARE RINGING FOR
CONSECRATION, YOU MUST STOP AND KNEEL
ON THE SIDEWALK.
Submitter comment:
MY MOTHER GREW UP NEAR A CATHOLIC
CHURCH IN HAMTRAMCK AND SHE TOLD ME
THAT EVERYONE FOLLOWED THIS CUSTOM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
AFTER A MOSLEM PAKISTANI COUPLE GET MARRIED, THE
MOTHER OF THE GROOM, TAKES THE BRIDE ASIDE AND GIVES
HER THE MOSLEM "BIBLE," THE KORAN. THE BRIDE MUST
THEN READ FROM THE BOOK TO PROVE THAT SHE WAS
EDUCATED IN THE RELIGION.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAYS THIS IS COMMON PRACTICE. THE BRIDE
WOULD HAVE TO KNOW HOW TO READ ARABIC IN ORDER TO
READ THE KORAN, IT PROVES SHE IS EDUCATED AND
UNDERSTANDS THE FAITH.
Where learned: LAHORE ; PAKISTAN
Keyword(s): RELIGION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Date learned: 11-00-1987
Every time you enter a new church, you should make a wish.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 00001940S
Balinese custom
Every fifteen days the moon appears. Everyone must go to the
temple to give an individual silent prayer.
Where learned: Bali ; Indonesia
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church BELIEF -- Moon BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 00-00-1955
WHEN MY AUNT WAS A LITTLE GIRL, HER AND MY MOTHER USE TO
PLAY A GAME CALLED SANCTIFIED CHURCH. THIS GAME HAD NO
RULES OR GOAL. IN THE GAME THE CHILDREN WOULD SIT UNDER A
TENT, MADE OF A GRASS SACK NAILED TO THE HOUSE WITH TWO
BROOMSTICKS STUCK TO THE OTHER END OF THE SACK AND
DRIVEN INTO THE GROUND, UNDER THIS TENT THE CHILDREN
WOULD SIT ON TIN DRUMS AND SING AND CLAP AS THEY SAW
OTHERS DO IN CHURCH.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; MARTIN
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Dramatic CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church |
In Baghdad, Iraq swimming in the Tigris and Euphrates river
after the holy month of Ramadan is said to be the last
cleansing process of the soul. Only Moslems participate in
this religious ceremony.
Submitter comment:
My father told me this story because he knew of many
individuals who would participate in the ceremony.
James Callow Keyword(s): bathing
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1948
You can't play any form of cards because the devil is hidden
in cards.
Submitter comment:
This is a superstition her grandfather told her and he was a
strict Christian of the Trinity College. Her other
grandfather who was not of the strict Christian background
taught them to play everything from solitaire to poker.
Where learned: CANADA ; ONTARIO
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 00-00-1929
There is a tale of mistletoe that tells of priests
harvesting it, never letting it touch the ground.
It thereafter was hung over doors and arches as a
sign of welcome to priests, and as a protection
against witches.
Submitter comment:
Some priests still practice this for sake of
tradition.
Where learned: ENGLAND ; LONDON
Keyword(s): SAFETY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Autumn Fall Harvest Thanksgiving BELIEF -- Witch Shaman BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 00-00-1990
THE FOLLOWING IS IN THE INFORMANT'S OWN WORDS.
"IN MY MID-TEENS, I WAS FINAGLED INTO TEACHING VACATION BIBLE
SCHOOL. WE THEN LIVED IN A SMALL FARMING COMMUNITY EAST OF
CINCINNATI, OHIO. ONE OF THE RETIRED GENTLEMEN FROM OUR CHURCH
PICKED UP MY MOM, MY SIBLINGS, A COUPLE OF OTHER KIDS FROM DOWN
THE ROAD AND ME EVERY MORNING IN HIS OVERTURNED BATHTUB--THAT'S
WHAT HIS HUDSON MOTOR CAR LOOKED LIKE TO US.
ONCE AT VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL, WE HAD OUR LITTLE LESSONS AND
CRAFTS FOR THE DAY; AND OF COURSE SONGS--MOST OF WHICH HAD
ACCOMPANYING HAND MOTIONS. THE ONLY ONE I REMEMBER IN ITS
ENTIRETY WAS THIS ONE--YOU'LL HAVE TO LET YOUR IMAGINATION SUPPLY
THE HAND MOTIONS:
"ONLY A BOY NAMED DAVID, ONLY A LITTLE SLING
ONLY A BOY NAMED DAVID, BUT HE COULD PRAY AND SING.
ONLY A BOY NAMED DAVID, ONLY A RIPPLING BROOK
ONLY A BOY NAMED DAVID, BUT FIVE LITTLE STONES HE TOOK.
AND ONE LITTLE STONE WENT INTO THE SLING
AND THE SLING WENT ROUND AND ROUND
AND ROUND AND ROUND, AND ROUND AND ROUND, AND ROUND AND
ROUND AND ROUND AND ROUND
AND ONE LITTLE STONE WENT INTO THE AIR AND THE GIANT CAME
TUMBLING DOWN."
Submitter comment:
I REMEMBER SOME THE HAND MOTIONS FROM WHEN MY MOM SANG THIS TO
ME WHEN I WAS A CHILD. THEY ARE PANTOMIMES OF DAVID, THE SLING,
AND THE ACTION OF PICKING UP THE STONES IN THE FIRST STANZA. THE
SECOND STANZA FEATURES THE SWINGING ACTION OF THE SLING AND THE
MOTION OF FALLING LIKE THE GIANT.
Where learned: OHIO ; CINCINNATI
James Callow Keyword(s): FINAGLE FENAGLE
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ballad Epic Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Religious CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church |
Date learned: 00001950S
EASTER BASKET BLESSING IS A POLISH TRADITION. ON HOLY
SATURDAY, A BASKET IS LOADED WITH TRADITIONAL ITEMS. DECORATED
EGGS, BUTTER LAMBS, HAM, BREAD, HORSERADISH, KIELBASA, POTATOES,
CANDY, AND WINE ARE CARRIED IN A COVERED BASKET TO THE CHURCH FOR
THE AFTERNOON BLESSING. THE BASKETS ARE LINED UP NEXT TO THE
PEWS. EACH CONTAINER WITHIN THE BASKET IS OPENED. THE BASKETS
ARE BLESSED WITH PRAYERS, INCENSE, AND HOLY WATER. SOME OF THE
FOOD IS USED FOR EASTER BREAKFAST. ALL OF THE BLESSED FOOD MUST
EVENTUALLY BE EATEN. IT MUST NOT BE THROWN AWAY OR WASTED.
Submitter comment:
THIS BLESSING IS STILL PERFORMED AT OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE
CHURCH IN HARPER WOODS, MICHIGAN. MY GRANDMA AND DAD ATTEND
ANNUALLY. I, TOO, SOMETIMES ATTEND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 00001920'S
On Good Friday, my mom and I make up Easter baskets with eggs
in them. Then we take the baskets to church, put them on the
altar, and the priest will bless the baskets.
Where learned: MICHIGAN
| Subject headings: | 663 Good Friday CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 00001970S
The sanctified religion says women are not allowed to wear make-
up, jewelry, pants, or red in church or outside of church.
Submitter comment:
Leah says that these rules are stated in the bible; the bible
says: "women should dress in modest apparel"; if they don't "Women
should be shame-faced."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CLOTHING
James Callow Keyword(s): COSMETICS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church BELIEF -- Color |
Date learned: 00001970S
At Oakland Sanctified Church no wedding rings are allowed to be
given during the ceremony; wedding watches take the place of the
rings.
Submitter comment:
Leah says this is to prevent the competition of big diamonds
amongst the church members.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage BELIEF -- Measure of time BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth |
Date learned: 00001980S
Every year in March at Gabriel Richard High School in
Riverview, Michigan the Junior class receives their class rings.
It is traditional (since 1964) for the entire class to attend a
special mass in order to bless each student's ring and celebrate
the coming of their Senior year.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; RIVERVIEW
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- March CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 00-00-1983