Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for F542 returned 219 results.
IT IS AN OLD BELIEF THAT A BABY'S CRADLE OR DRIB MUST NOT
BE COMPLETED WITH BEDDING UNTIL AFTER THE CHILD IS BORN,
OR ELSE THE BABY MAY NOT BE BORN AT ALL.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAID BELIEF WAS VERY OLD BUT COULDN'T
REMEMBER WHERE SHE HAD HEARD IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: 03-00-1964
CHILD BODY PART BELIEF
LITTLE GIRLS GET THEIR EARS PIERCED 3 DAYS AFTER THEY ARE BORN.
Submitter comment:
A PRACTICE OF SABINAS MEXICO.
THE INFORMANT EXPRESSED THAT THERE IS NO LUCK CUSTOM INVOLVED AND IT
IS JUST A DECORATIVE TRADITION (INFORMANT BORN IN SABINAS).
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 686.1 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Human or animal body BELIEF -- Body part Senses |
Date learned: 11-00-1981
A PREGNANT WOMAN SHOULD NOT LOOK AT ANYONE WHO IS MASQUERADING
OR HER CHILD WILL TURN OUT TO LOOK LIKE THAT PERSON.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT SAID THAT "MASQUERADING" IS WHEN THE PEOPLE OF THE TOWN
GET DRESSED UP TO PARTICIPATE IN A PARADE, OR IF THEY DRESS IN
COSTUMES AT A PARTY OR ON A HOLIDAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Typical Elements of a Festive Pattern BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 03-00-1982
ON THE FIRST SIGHT OF SPRING, A CELEBRATION MUST
BE INITIATED BY THE FAMILIES WHO HAVE TWO OR MORE BOYS
IN THE VILLAGE TO INSURE GOOD LUCK FOR THE NEW YEAR.
Submitter comment:
IT WAS BELIEVED THIS WOULD INSURE HEALTHY BIRTHS OF
ALL CHILDREN AND WOULD INCREASE THE BIRTHS OF BOYS.
Where learned: COLLECTED BY MAIL ; COOKHAM RISE ; BERKSHIRE
James Callow Keyword(s): SEXISM
Date learned: 00-00-1970
YOU CAN DETERMINE THE SEX OF AN UNBORN CHILD BY
MIXING A CAPFUL OF DRAINO WITH A SAMPLE OF THE
MOTHER'S URINE. AFTER 24 HOURS, IF A BLUE RING
APPEARS THE CHILD WILL BE A BOY. IF IT IS ONLY GREEN,
THE CHILD WILL BE A GIRL.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): DRANO IS A CRYSTAL USED TO UNCLOG DRAINS.
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Color BELIEF -- Use of Object |
EXPECTANT MOTHER
WHEN I WAS ABOUT EIGHT MONTHS PREGNANT WITH MY FIRST CHILD,
I WENT SHOPPING WITH MY MOTHER-IN-LAW IN A VILLAGE IN LEBANON.
WE CAME ACROSS A VENDOR WITH A MONKEY. WHEN I NOTICED THE MONKEY,
I TOLD MY MOTHER-IN-LAW TO LOOK AT HOW CUTE IT WAS. SHE WAS
HORRIFIED! "SPIT, SHE YELLED, "QUICK, SPIT!
WHEN I ASKED WHY, SHE SAID IF I DIDN'T SPIT, THE BABY WOULD COME
OUT LOOKING LIKE A MONKEY.
"THAT'S A RIDICULLOUS SUPERSTITION," I TOLD HER, "I DON'T BELIEVE
IT AND I WON'T SPIT."
WHEN SHE TURNED HER BACK I QUICKLY SPIT -- JUST IN CASE.
James Callow Keyword(s): PRAISE ; SPITTLE
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Mammal |
Date learned: 11-00-1982
MONEY BELIEF
MY MOTHER ALWAYS GIVES A NEW-BORN BABY SILVER MONEY SO THAT IT
WILL NEVER BE IN NEED. THIS ONLY HAPPENS THE FIRST TIME SHE SEES
THE BABY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; BOTSFORD GRADE SCHOOL ; CLARENCEVILLE DISTRICT
Date learned: 11-00-1982
BIRTH BELIEF-CUSTOM
IF A PREGNANT WOMAN EXPOSES HER STOMACH TO THE FULL MOON THE
CHILD WILL BE FEMALE. THIS BELIEF IS USUALLY HELD BY "BACKWOODS"
PEOPLES, PARTICULARLY IN THE SOUTHERN UNITED STATES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CLINTON TOWNSHIP
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Moon BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 10-00-1982
EXPECTANT MOTHERS
PUT A RAZOR BLADE UNDER YOUR PILLOW TO CUT THE LABOR PAINS.
Submitter comment: AN OLD WIVES TALE THE INFORMANT NEVER TRIED.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: 00001950S
EXPECTANT MOTHERS
TO END A LONG PREGNANCY AND MAKE THE BABY COME EARLY TAKE A COUPLE
OF TABLESPOONS OF CASTOR OR COD LIVER OIL.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT TRIED THIS WHEN HER BABY WAS ABOUT A WEEK AND A HALF LATE,
AND IT WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE WORKED.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: 00001950S
BIRTH; DETERMINING SEX OF UNBORN CHILD
I REMEMBER ONE THING THAT WAS REALLY PRETTY SILLY, THAT ALL THE
GIRLS DID WHEN THEY WERE PREGNANT TO SUPPOSEDLY TELL IF THE
BABY WAS TO BE A BOY OR A GIRL. WE'D THREAD A NEEDLE AND LET
IT SWING ON ITS OWN INTO MAKING A CIRCLE OR AN OVAL SHAPE IN
THE SWINGS. SUPPOSEDLY SOME SPIRIT OR THE CHILD ITSELF WAS
DIRECTING THE SWING OF THE NEEDLE, AND IF THE NEEDLE MADE A
CIRCLE, THE BABY WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A GIRL AND AN OVAL WAS
AN INDICATION OF A BOY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
James Callow Keyword(s): ANAPEL
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Use of Object |
IT IS FORBIDDEN FOR A PREGNANT WOMAN TO WALK ABOUT
IN A SUNNY DAY OR SIT UNDER A TREE, BECAUSE EVIL SPIRITS
WALK ABOUT IN THE SUNNY DAY AND THEY ALSO
HOLD MEETINGS UNDER THE TREE.
IF A PREGNANT WOMAN IGNORES THIS WARNING, AN EVIL SPIRIT WILL ENTER
HER TUMMY AND DRIVE AWAY THE REAL CHILD. THUS, SHE WILL GIVE
BIRTH TO A DEVIL-POSSESSED CHILD. THE CHILD WILL TORTURE
HER PARENTS WITH THE EVIL SPIRIT, AND DIE IN INFANCY.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT LOOKED SERIOUS WHEN NARRATING THIS ITEM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 00-00-1958
MY MOTHER BELIEVED THAT IF YOU DREAM OF A DEATH YOU WILL HERE OF A
BIRTH AND IF YOU DREAM OF A BIRTH YOU WILL HEAR OF A DEATH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
James Callow Keyword(s): CONTRAST ; INVERSION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Dreams |
Date learned: 03-00-1984
UPSTAIRS CHRISTMAS TREE
THIS IS A FAMILY TRADITION TO REMEMBER THE CHILDREN THAT WERE
STILLBORN WITH THEIR OWN SPECIAL TYPE OF CHRISTMAS TREE. THIS TREE
IS PLACED UPSTAIRS IN THE PARENTS' BEDROOM. A FRESH TREE IS PURCHASED
AND PLACED IN THE ROOM WITH A SOLID WHITE TREE-SKIRT PLACED AROUND
IT. ON CHRISTMAS EVE THIS TREE IS TRIMMED WITH ONLY ONE ORNAMENT PER
STILLBORN CHILD. NOTHING ELSE GOES ON THE TREE. THE ORNAMENT IS
SYMBOLIC OF AN ANGEL WITH THE NAME OF THE CHILD ON THE ORNAMENT.
NOTHING IS PLACED ON THE TOP OF THE TREE. A PRAYER IS SAID BY THE
FAMILY AFTER THE DECORATING CEREMONY. THE TREE IS REMOVED ON NEW
YEAR'S DAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Balinese Custom
In Bali, one month after birth a baby's head is shaved
completely to chase all evil spirits away.
Where learned: Bali ; Indonesia
Keyword(s): PURIFICATION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hair, on head, mustache, widow's peak BELIEF -- Measure of time Month |
Date learned: 00-00-1955
Chinese Custom
In China, and in the Chinese culture one month after the birth
of a baby, the head, eyebrows, and eyelashes are shaved to
achieve greater growth.
Where learned: CHINA
Keyword(s): PURIFICATION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hair, on head, mustache, widow's peak BELIEF -- Measure of time Month |
Date learned: 00-00-1955
Balinese and Chinese custom
One month after the birth of a baby a bracelet is placed on
the baby for good luck and good health.
Where learned: Bali ; Indonesia
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Month BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 00-00-1955
Balinese custom
If a set of twins are born, a boy and a girl, one of the
babies must be given away or left out on the street for three
days until someone else takes it.
Where learned: Bali ; Indonesia
Date learned: 00-00-1955
A pregnant woman should never look at a fire
burning.
Where learned: KANSAS ; Manhattan
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Fire BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 00001940S
If you see a horribly deformed or crippled
person, you should make the sign of the cross,
especially if you are pregnant.
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed BELIEF -- Birth SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 00001940S