Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for P860 returned 331 results.
ON THE STROKE OF TWELVE ON NEW YEAR'S EVE, A MAN IN THE
HOUSE WILL OPEN THE FRONT DOOR TO LET THE NEW YEAR IN AND
OPEN THE BACK DOOR TO LET THE OLD YEAR OUT.
Submitter comment:
MY MOTHER'S FATHER USED TO DO THIS EVERY YEAR, IT WAS
AN OLD ENGLISH CUSTOM. THIS IS STILL CONTINUED IN OUR
FAMILY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve BELIEF -- Use of Object BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 11-02-1971
FIVE MINUTES BEFORE NEW YEAR'S DAY, THE WHOLE FAMILY
GATHERS AT THE OPEN BACK DOOR AND RUNS TO THE OPEN FRONT
DOOR, WHILE BANGING SPOONS AGAINST THE SIDE OF PANS
TO USHER OUT THE OLD YEAR AND HELP BRING IN THE NEW
YEAR.
Submitter comment: LEARNED AS A CHILD IN FAMILY.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve BELIEF -- Use of Object BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 12-01-1967
IT IS AN OLD IRISH CUSTOM TO OPEN THE FRONT DOOR OF YOUR
HOUSE ON NEW YEAR'S EVE IN ORDER TO LET THE OLD YEAR OUT
AND THE NEW YEAR IN.
Submitter comment:
I COLLECTED THIS FROM MY AUNT ON NEW YEAR'S EVE OF
1960-1961.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve BELIEF -- Use of Object BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 12-00-1960
WATCH MEETING
ON NEW YEAR'S EVE, PEOPLE CAN BE SEEN FLOCKING TO CHURCHES
TO USHER IN THE NEW YEAR. AT THE STROKE OF TWELVE,
EVERYONE ENGAGES IN SILENT PRAYER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve BELIEF -- Use of Object BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
PEOPLE MAKE NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS TO HAVE A GOOD AND
NOURISHING YEAR. THIS IS DONE ON NEW YEAR'S EVE,
JUST BEFORE MIDNIGHT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve BELIEF -- Use of Object BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 03-21-1971
JAPANESE CUSTOM
ON NEW YEAR'S EVE, ONE SCATTERS ROUND BEANS (SYMBOLIC OF
THE STONE OF HEALTH) THROUGHOUT THE HOUSE. THE BEANS ARE
USED TO PELT AND CHASE AWAY THE DEMONS OF EVIL. AT THE
SAME TIME ONE SINGS: "GOOD LUCK WITHIN! EVIL, GO OUT!
OUT!"
Submitter comment:
WHEN IN JAPAN, INFORMANT USED TO JOIN HER FAMILY IN THE
ABOVE CUSTOM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve BELIEF -- Use of Object BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 08-01-1964
AN OLD CHRISTMAS EVE CUSTOM
ON CHRISTMAS EVE, THE FIRST THING IN THE MORNING, WE WERE
GIVEN SOME SILVER MONEY. WE KEPT THE MONEY IN OUR HANDS
ALL THE TIME WE WASHED OURSELVES. WE DID THIS TO HAVE
GOOD LUCK ALL YEAR LONG. THE IMPORTANT THING WAS THAT
THE MONEY HAD TO BE SILVER.
Submitter comment:
WE DID THIS, AS CHILDREN, FOR AS LONG AS I REMEMBERED.
EVEN AS AN ADOLESCENT AND SOMEWHAT BEYOND, I PARTICIPATED
IN THE RITUAL WITH THE REST OF THE FAMILY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Beliefs BELIEF -- Prayer BELIEF -- Use of Object BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 04-00-1965
BREAD AT THE GRAVE
ON THE THIRD DAY OF EASTER, TWO PIECES OF BREAD ARE PUT
ON A GRAVE WHILE A PRIEST IS HAVING A SERVICE OVER IT.
THE BELIEF (STILL FOLLOWED BY SOME UKRAINIANS) IS
THAT THE DECEASED IN PURGATORY WILL HAVE IT EASIER--
THE BREAD SYMBOLIZING FOOD FOR HIS SOUL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting After all BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 11-02-1969
HOLLOWEEN MIRROR
IF A GIRL SITS, AT THE STROKE OF MIDNIGHT ON
HALLOWEEN, BEFORE A MIRROR EATING AN APPLE, THE
IMAGE OF HER FUTURE HUSBAND WILL SUDDENLY APPEAR
BEFORE HER. IF NO IMAGE APPEARS, IT'S TAKEN
THAT THE GIRL WILL REMAIN A SPINSTER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- September 23 equinox to December 20 Also used for Advent. BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
CUSTOM AT ONE YEAR-BIRTHDAY
ON A BABY'S FIRST BIRTHDAY, HE IS PLACED BEFORE A TABLE
ON WHICH THREE OBJECTS HAVE BEEN SET: A ROSARY, MONEY
(USUALLY SILVER), AND A WHISKEY GLASS. IF THE BABY
REACHES FOR THE ROSARY FIRST, HE WILL BE SAINTLY, AND
POSSIBLY BECOME A PRIEST OR NUN. IF THE BABY REACHES
FOR THE MONEY FIRST, HE WILL BECOME A BUSINESSMAN, OR IN
SOME OTHER WAY, BE RICH. IF HE REACHES FOR THE WHISKEY
GLASS, HE WILL BE A DRUNK
Submitter comment:
I KNEW OF THIS YEARS AGO. MY MOTHER DID THIS TO MY
YOUNGER SISTER BACK IN 1940. THROUGH THE YEARS, I HAD
HEARD OTHER REFERENCES TO THE CUSTOM. MOST RECENTLY, I
WAS AT A MEETING OF A GROUP OF FRIENDS AND DURING THE
EVENING THE TALK GOT AROUND TO CUSTOMS OF POLISH PEOPLE.
ONE GIRL, LOTTIE PYTEL OF DETROIT (MICHIGAN) (CHOPIN
STREET) REVEALED THAT IN HER FAMILY THE CUSTOM IS
CARRIED ON, IN MUCH THE SAME MANNER AS I HAVE DESCRIBED
IT ABOVE.)
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Private birthday or anniversary BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 05-00-1965 ; 00-00-1940
BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
MAKE A WISH ON YOUR BIRTHDAY CANDLES. THEN TRY TO BLOW
THEM OUT (ALL AT ONCE). IF ALL THE CANDLES ARE BLOWN
OUT, THE WISH WILL COME TRUE THAT YEAR. THE NUMBER
OF CANDLES LEFT BURNING REPRESENTS THE NUMBER OF
YEARS FOR THE WISH TO COME TRUE.
Submitter comment: FAMILY CUSTOM.
Where learned: NEW YORK, ASSUMED ; HAMBURG
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Private birthday or anniversary BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 12-01-1967
THE TURNING POINT
IT WAS SAID WHEN A CHILD IS SEVEN YEARS OLD, THE MOTHER
GIVES IT ITS NAVEL WHICH THE MOTHER KEPT IN HIDING
(SINCE THE CHILD'S BIRTH). IF THE CHILD UNTIES THE CORD,
IT WILL BE SMART AND QUICK TO CATCH ON IN LEARNING. IF
THE CHILD IS SLOW AND CAN'T UNTIE IT (THE CORD), IT WILL
BE SLOW AND AWKWARD.
Submitter comment:
I VAGUELY REMEMBER MY MOTHER DOING THIS WHEN MY YOUNGER
BROTHER TURNED SEVEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): UMBILICAL CORD
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 05-11-1965
IF WHEN YOU GET A CUP OF TEA AND A LEAF FLOATS TO THE TOP,
TAKE IT OUT, PUT IT ON THE BACK OF YOUR LEFT HAND
AND THEN PUT THE BACK OF YOUR RIGHT HAND ON TOP OF YOUR
LEFT. IF, ON REMOVING YOUR RIGHT HAND THE TEA LEAF
STICKS, YOU WILL HAVE A LETTER IN ONE DAY. KEEP DOING
IT UNTIL IT STICKS AND THEN YOU WILL KNOW IN HOW MANY
DAYS A LETTER IS COMING.
Where learned: ENGLAND ; LONDON
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 04-00-1972
WHEN A BABY IS ONE YEAR OLD, A BOOK, A HALF DOLLAR AND
A SHOT GLASS ARE TO BE PLACED IN FRONT OF HIM. THE ONE
HE CHOOSES FIRST WILL FORETELL THE TYPE OF LIFE
THE CHILD WILL HAVE.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT WAS PRESENT AT A FIRST BIRTHDAY PARTY AT
WHICH THIS WAS DONE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Use of Object BELIEF -- Use of object for determining future of young P864.3 |
Date learned: 02-20-1971
ON NEW YEAR'S DAY IN POLAND, IN ORDER TO DECIDE WHO WOULD
GET MARRIED FIRST, GIRLS WOULD BAKE PANCAKES AND LINE
THEM UP ON THE FLOOR. THEY WOULD THEN RELEASE A CAT.
THE GIRL WHO GETS HER PANCAKE EATEN FIRST BY THE CAT
WILL GET MARRIED FIRST.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; POLAND
Date learned: 04-05-1972
BUTTERCUPS TELL
TODAY, WHEN RUTH AND I WERE REMINISCING ABOUT CHILDHOOD DAYS,
SHE TOLD ME OF A SPRINGTIME PRACTICE TYPICAL OF THE
PERSONS OF HER NEIGHBORHOOD. WHEN THE BUTTERCUPS BLOSSOM
ALONG THE SWAMPS, CHILDREN WOULD PICK THEM AND PRESENT
THE BOUQUETS TO THEIR MOTHERS. THE MOTHER WOULD TAKE A
FLOWER OUT OF THE NOSEGAY AND TICKLE THE UNDERSIDE OF THE
GIVER'S CHIN WITH A BUTTERCUP. IF SOME OF THE YELLOW
SHOULD RUB OFF, THEN THAT WAS A SIGN THAT THE CHILD
LIKED BUTTER. SHE SAID THAT ONCE WHEN THE BUTTERCUPS
TOLD OF HER LIKING BUTTER, HER MOTHER SENT HER OFF TO
PLAY WITH A THANK YOU FOR THE NOSEGAY AND A PIECE OF TOAST
DRIPPING WITH MELTED BUTTER.
Where learned: HIGHLAND PARK ; ILLINOIS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Use of Object |
ON HALLOWEEN IF A GIRL WOULD LIGHT A CANDLE, GO INTO A
DARK ROOM, LOOK INTO A MIRROR, SHE WOULD SEE THE FACE
OF HER FUTURE HUSBAND LOOKING OVER HER LEFT SHOULDER.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- October 31 Halloween BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
HEALING COIN
IN YUGOSLAVIA, WHEN A YOUNG GIRL GETS MARRIED, HER
HAIR IS BRAIDED. A COIN IS THEN WEAVED INTO THIS
BRAID, WHERE IT MUST STAY FROM THAT DAY FORWARD.
NOW, THE COIN IS SUPPOSED TO HAVE HEALING POWER,
AND EVERYONE BELIEVES IT. THE STEPSISTER OF THE
INFORMANT ON A VISIT TO THE COUNTRY RECENTLY, WAS
APPROACHED BY A BOY WITH A CASE OF HIVES. SHE
TOOK HIM TO A POND, WASHED HIM AND DRESSED HIM.
THE BOY WAS HEALED BY THE NEXT DAY, ALL DUE TO THE
HEALING EFFECTS OF THE COIN.
Submitter comment:
TOLD BY A NEIGHBOR, MRS. BENESTELLI, AT THE RESIDENCE
FROM HER MOTHER WHO HAD JUST RETURNED FROM YUGO-
SLAVIA, ON TAPE.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH
James Callow Keyword(s): Yugoslavia
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hair, on head, mustache, widow's peak BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Curer BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 11-01-1970
PEARLS BRINGS TEARS.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Metal Stone Bone Precious stone Gem BELIEF -- Use of Object BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 04-00-1972
IN HER FAMILY, A WEDDING CAKE HAS A RING IN IT AND THE
FIRST ONE TO GET THE RING ON THEIR PLATE WILL BE
MARRIED NEXT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Marriage Wedding cake BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 03-00-1971