RE:SEARCH logo
University of Detroit Mercy Libraries / Instructional Design Studio
UDM HOME BLACKBOARD MY UDMERCY
RESEARCH HOME / FIND / SPECIAL COLLECTIONS / THE JAMES T. CALLOW FOLKLORE ARCHIVE /
James Callow Folklore Archive

Collection Home

About Dr. James T. Callow

Dr. James T. Callow publications

Collectors

Browse by

Subject heading

Keyword

Location

Questions or comments on this site? Please email davidsor@udmercy.edu.

The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

search for

Content filter is on

Your search for P644 returned 194 results.

prev | items
| next

SOMEONE IN THE HAMBURG MESSERSCHMITT FACTORY HAD PUT A CURSE
ON THE ME-109S OF THE "RICHTHOFEN" WING OF LE HAVE {HARVE},
FRANCE, 1940. THESE PLANES TOOK OFF FOR ENGLAND AND NEVER
RETURNED. (KNOWN AS THE HEX SQUADRON IN THE LUFTWAFFE)--
UNTIL IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT FUMES FROM THE ENGINE HAD
LEAKED INTO THE COCKPIT--EARLY 1941.

Where learned: LUFTWAFFE ; SERIES NUMBER 25 ; ARCO AIRCAM

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Witch Shaman
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal
ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Aircraft propelled by any means
BELIEF -- Curse

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

View just this record

LEGEND

THERE IS A LEGEND AT POKEGON STATE PARK IN INDIANA, NEAR FORT
WAYNE, CONCERNING THE WATER. AFTER DRINKING THE WATER FOR MORE
THAN ONE DAY, A PERSON WILL GET STOMACH CRAMPS AND DIARRHEA.
THIS ILLNESS IS COMMONLY CALLED "POKEGON'S REVENGE." THE STORY
BEHIND THIS IS THAT CHIEF POKEGON CURSED THE WATER WHEN HIS LAND
WAS TAKEN AWAY. THIS CHIEF WAS PROBABLY OF THE POTAWATOMI TRIBE
BECAUSE THE POTAWATOMI INN IS LOCATED HERE.

Where learned: ILLINOIS ; DALTON

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Running water Small current. Brook, spring....
BELIEF -- Curse
BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

View just this record

THE LEGEND OF PRIEST'S LEAP

AN IRISH PRIEST WAS SAYING MASS IN THE HOMES OF THE PEOPLE LIVING
ON TOP OF A MOUNTAIN IN COUNTY KERRY. THE BRITISH FOUND OUT ABOUT
THIS AND CAME AFTER THE PRIEST. THEY CHASED THE PRIEST FOR A
WHILE AND HAD HIM CORNERED, ABOUT TO BE CAPTURED. THE PRIEST,
BEING ON TOP OF THIS MOUNTAIN, HAD NO WHERE TO GO. SO HE GAVE
HIS HORSE A SWIFT KICK AND HE LEAPED FROM THE MOUNTAIN, OVER
BANTRY BAY, AND LANDED TWENTY MILES AWAY IN COUNTY CORK. IF YOU
GO DOWN THE ROAD, 1/4 OF A MILE OUT OF THE CITY OF BANTRY, YOU
WILL STILL SEE A ROCK ALONG THE SIDE WITH THE HOOF PRINTS OF THE
HORSE AND THE SIGN OF THE WHIP THAT ARE STILL THERE TODAY.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT SAW THE HOOF PRINTS AND THE SIGN OF THE WHIP.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name
BELIEF -- Mammal
BELIEF -- Curse

Date learned: 11-18-1970

View just this record

THE FLAG OF MACEDONIA

THE FLAG OF MACEDONIA IS BLACK AND RED BECAUSE THE COUNTRY'S
HISTORY HAS BEEN SHROUDED IN THE BLOOD AND DESPAIR OF THE PEOPLE.
THIS HAS BEEN LEGEND SINCE ALEXANDER THE GREAT CURSED MACEDON.

Submitter comment: JIM LEARNED THIS FROM HIS GRANDPARENTS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal
BELIEF -- Curse
BELIEF -- Sign Color

Date learned: 10-15-1967

View just this record

STRASBOURG, THE HAUNTED STREET

IN THE EARLY 1950'S A STORY CIRCULATED IN DETROIT ABOUT A HAUNTED
STREET CALLED STRASBOURG. WHENEVER ANYONE WOULD DRIVE THEIR CAR
ON THIS PARTICULAR STREET, A CONSTANT KNOCKING NOISE COULD BE
HEARD. IT SEEMED TO COME FROM EVERYWHERE. SOMETIMES IT SOUNDED
LIKE IT WAS COMING FROM THE DOOR; THEN IT WOULD COME FROM THE
ROOF.
THE KNOCKING NOISE WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN MADE BY THE GHOST
OF A YOUNG GIRL WHO HAD BEEN KILLED BY A HIT AND RUN DRIVER.
SHE WAS PERHAPS TEN OR ELEVEN YEARS OLD. AS SHE TRIED TO CROSS
THE STREET, HER COAT WAS CAUGHT BY THE DOOR HANDLE OF A PASSING
CAR. AS THE CAR DRAGGED HER ALONG THE STREET, THE GIRL STARTED
TO KNOCK ON THE DOOR, TRYING TO GET THE DRIVER'S ATTENTION, BUT
SHE FINALLY FELL AND WAS CRUSHED UNDER THE CAR WHEEL. THE CAR
SPED AWAY.
THE GIRL'S FATHER, WHO WAS A GYPSY, PLACED A CURSE ON THE STREET.
HE SAID THAT UNTIL THE DAY THE HIT AND RUN DRIVER WHO KILLED HIS
DAUGHTER WAS CAUGHT, THE SPIRIT OF HIS DAUGHTER WOULD KNOCK ON
EVERY CAR THAT DROVE DOWN STRASBOURG.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal
ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Vehicle propelled by mechanical or other force on land
BELIEF -- Curse

Date learned: 11-19-1968

View just this record

OMEN

IF YOU SEE A BULL FROG, IT'S A WITCH BRINGING A CURSE. YOU SHOULD
PUT THE FROG ON A BOARD (FULCRUM) AND HIT IT INTO THE AIR, SENDING
THE CURSE AWAY.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT GOT THIS FROM HER MOTHER WHEN INFORMANT WAS A CHILD.
SHE SAID SHE NEVERR DID THE ACTION DESCRIBED BECAUSE SHE WAS TOO
AFRAID OF THE FROG TO PICK IT UP. SHE JUST RAN AWAY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Witch Shaman
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal
BELIEF -- Curse

Date learned: 02-22-1970

View just this record

SOMEONE IN THE HAMBURG MESSERSCHMITT FACTORY HAD PUT A CURSE
ON THE ME-109S OF THE "RICHTHOFEN" WING OF LE HAVE {HARVE},
FRANCE, 1940. THESE PLANES TOOK OFF FOR ENGLAND AND NEVER
RETURNED. (KNOWN AS THE HEX SQUADRON IN THE LUFTWAFFE)--
UNTIL IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT FUMES FROM THE ENGINE HAD
LEAKED INTO THE COCKPIT--EARLY 1941.

Where learned: LUFTWAFFE ; SERIES NUMBER 25 ; ARCO AIRCAM

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Witch Shaman
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal
ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Aircraft propelled by any means
BELIEF -- Curse

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

View just this record

THERE IS A GESTURE IN FRANCE WHICH WHEN PERFORMED WARDS
OFF BAD LUCK OR VOIDS A BAD-EYE LOOK GIVEN TO YOU BY
SOMEONE ELSE. THE GESTURE IS TO MAKE A FIST PUTTING
YOUR THUMB IN BETWEEN YOUR MIDDLE AND THE FINGER NEXT
TO YOUR LITTLE FINGER.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT SAID SOME OF HER RELATIVES IN FRANCE ACTIVELY
USED TO PRACTICE THIS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; KALAMAZOO ; FRANCE

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Curse
BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.22
SPEECH -- Body parts involved S602.12
ZZ

Date learned: 02-18-1971

View just this record

ITALIAN GESTURE AGAINST EVIL

A GESTURE TO RETURN EVIL TO ANOTHER IS TO PLACE THE
THUMB BETWEEN THE FIRST AND SECOND FINGERS OF THE
SAME HAND.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; CUSTOM ; EVIL ; EVIL EYE ; Eye ; Fingers ; GESTURE ; Prevent ; SUPERSTITION ; Ward

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Curse

Date learned: 12-00-1969

View just this record

WHEN YOU THINK THAT YOU ARE WITH SOMEONE WHO WILL GIVE
YOU THE EVIL EYE, HOLD OUT YOUR FOREFINGER AND BABY
FINGER, HOLD THIS UNTIL THE PERSON LEAVES.

Submitter comment:

INFORMANT SAW HIS BROTHER DO THIS WHEN IN CALABRIA,
ITALY, AND BELIEVED IT WARDED OFF THE EVIL EYE.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ITALY ; OAK PARK ; CALABRIA

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; CUSTOM ; EVIL ; EVIL EYE ; Eye ; Fingers ; GESTURE ; Prevent ; SUPERSTITION ; Ward

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Curse
SPEECH -- Body parts involved S602.12

Date learned: 01-24-1972

View just this record

WHEN ONE SEES A LOVELY CHILD, ONE MUST SPIT ON THE
GROUND TO WARD OFF THE EVIL EYE, TO PREVENT SICKNESS.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED

Keyword(s): BABY ; BEAUTY ; BELIEF ; CHILD ; CUSTOM ; EVIL ; EVIL EYE ; Eye ; Fingers ; GESTURE ; Prevent ; SUPERSTITION ; Ward

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Curse
BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness
SPEECH -- Body parts involved S602.12

Date learned: 11-19-1971

View just this record

IF A PERSON LOOKS AT YOU WITH THE EVIL EYE YOU CAN
RETURN IT BY PLACING YOUR INDEX AND BABY FINGERS
APREAD OUT AND POINTED DOWN. THIS WILL MAKE
YOU SAFE FROM IT.

Submitter comment:

THIS IS DONE IN SICILY BY ALL THE PEOPLE.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; SICILY

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; CUSTOM ; EVIL ; EVIL EYE ; Eye ; Fingers ; GESTURE ; Prevent ; SUPERSTITION ; Ward

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Body part Senses Eyes, evil eye
BELIEF -- Curse
BELIEF -- Conversions P883.22
SPEECH -- Body parts involved S602.12

Date learned: 10-06-1970

View just this record

WHEN SOMEONE SAYS SOMETHING PEJORATIVE ABOUT ANOTHER,
SPIT THREE TIMES ON THE BACK OF THE FIRST TWO FINGERS
OF THE RIGHT HAND TO WARD OFF THE INTENDED EVIL.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): BEHAVIOR ; BELIEF ; CUSTOM ; EVIL EYE ; Fingers ; GESTURE ; INSULT ; SPIT ; SUPERSTITION ; Ward

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Curse
BELIEF -- P670 P670.88

Date learned: 03-02-1972

View just this record

TO SPIT ON A NEW-BORN BABY

WHENEVER A WOMAN LOOKS AT ANOTHER'S NEW-BORN BABY, THEY
MUST HAVE A LITTLE SALIVA FALL UPON THE CHILD. IF
NOT, THE EVIL EYE IS CAST UPON THE BABY.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): BABY ; BEHAVIOR ; BELIEF ; CHILD ; CUSTOM ; EVIL ; EVIL EYE ; Eye ; GESTURE ; PREVENTION ; SPIT ; SUPERSTITION ; Ward ; Woman

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Curse
BELIEF -- Dreams P841.61 P542
SPEECH -- Body parts involved S602.12

Date learned: 11-02-1969

View just this record

prev | items
| next

University of Detroit Mercy
4001 W. McNichols Detroit , MI , 48221-3038
This site is endorsed by the University of Detroit Mercy (UDM) and supports the views, values, and mission of UDM. The University of Detroit Mercy web site provides links to other web sites, both public and private, for informational purposes. The inclusion of these links on UDM's site does not imply endorsement by the University. Please contact the Associate Dean for Technical Services and Library Systems for any questions regarding this web site.