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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
BEGINNING THE DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS UNTIL THE FEAST OF THREE KINGS,
CHILDREN IN POLAND WOULD GO FROM HOUSE TO HOUSE CAROLING. THE OLDER
"KOLEDNIKI" WOULD DRESS AS ANGELS, DEVILS, MULES, ETC., AND THEY
USUALLY RECEIVE DONATIONS OF MONEY. THE YOUNGER ONES WOULD
USUALLY RECEIVE EITHER A SCOOP OF WHEAT, RYE OR OATS WHICH THEY WOULD
TAKE TO THE STORE AND REDEEM FOR MONEY.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT'S CHILDREN IN THEIR YOUTH DID PRACTICE THIS CUSTOM
IN THIS COUNTRY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): MUMMING
Date learned: 02-07-1971
CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEARS CUSTOMS, POLISH
THE TRADITIONAL POLISH CELEBRATION OF CHRISTMAS BEGINS BY OBSERVING
THE ADVENT SEASON, AWAITING THE FESTIVE CHRISTMAS. THIS IS
CULMINATED AT THE VIGILIA MEAL, SERVED ON CHRISTMAS EVE. THIS IS
THE TRANSITION BETWEEN ADVENT AND THE DAY ON WHICH POLES COMMEMERATE
CHRIST'S BIRTH. THE WORD VIGILIA MEANS WATCHING AND THIS IS IN
EFFECT WHAT THE PARTICIPANTS DO. THE MENU INCLUDES HERRING, WHICH IS
THE MAIN COURSE. THIS IS EATEN WITH MILK SYMBOLIZING A BITTER-SWEET
TIME OF REPENTANCE AND AWAITED JOY. UPON THE CONCLUSION OF THE MEAL
THE CHRISTMAS WAFER (OPLATEK) IS BROKEN FIRST BY THE HEAD OF THE
HOUSEHOLD AND DISTRIBUTED TO MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY, THE OLDEST
RECEIVING HIS PORTION FIRST. EACH FAMILY MEMBER IN TURN BREAKS THE
WAFER WITH ANOTHER WISHING PEACE AND GOOD WILL TO ONE ANOTHER. THE
WAFER SYMBOLIZES THE BLESSINGS OF CHRIST THAT ARE HOPED TO BE
BESTOWED DURING THE COMING YEAR. FOLLOWING THE MEAL A SZOPKA MAY BE
PRESENTED. THIS IS A PUPPET SHOW RE-ENACTING "THE NATIVITY" AND IS
SHOWN IN A SPECIALLY BUILT, RICHLY ORNATE, WOODEN STAGE. IN THIS
WAY THE CHILDREN OF THE POLISH FAMILY COME TO UNDERSTAND THE TRUE
MEANING OF CHRISTMAS.
NO MORE ACTIVITY TAKES PLACE IN THE HOME. ITS MEMBERS ASSUME A
SOMBER CONDITION OF MIND AND DEPART FOR THE MIDNIGHT MASS. THIS MASS
IS THE TRADITIONAL PASTERKA IN WHICH THE SOLEMN TONE OF THE SEASON IS
HIGHLIGHTED BY THE SINGING OF KOLENDY OR POLISH NATIONAL CHRISTMAS
CAROLS. FOLLOWING MASS THE FAMILY RETURNS HOME AND EXCHANGE GIFTS.
NEW YEAR'S EVE IS NOT CELEBRATED AS A FESTIVE EVENT, BUT THE FEAST OF
THE THREE KINGS SYMBOLIZES THE END OF THE POLISH CHRISTMAS SEASON.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY LOUNGE
Date learned: 11-26-1970
CHRISTMAS CUSTOMS IN MEXICO
IN LARGE CITIES IN MEXICO, CHRISTMAS IS CELEBRATED, BUT GIFTS ARE
EXCHANGED ONLY AMONG ADULTS IN FAMILIES, AND AMONG FRIENDS. ON JANUARY
6TH EVE, GIFTS ARE GIVEN ONLY TO CHILDREN. THERE IS NO SANTA IN
NON-URBAN AREAS WHERE ONLY JANUARY 6TH EVE IS CELEBRATED. THE MAGI
BRING GIFTS TO CHILDREN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Santa Claus |
GERMAN CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
THE SECOND PART OF CHRISTMAS IS CELEBRATED ON ST. NICHOLAS DAY,
JANUARY 6TH. ON THIS DAY SAUNTO COMES TO THE HOMES OF THE CHILDREN,
BRINGING LITTLE GINGERBREAD MEN AND ORANGES TO THE GOOD LITTLE BOYS
AND GIRLS. THE BAD CHILDREN DO NOT RECEIVE GINGERBREAD MEN AND
ORANGES AND SAUNTO INSTEAD TAKES THEM OUTSIDE AND SCOLDS THEM FOR
THEIR MISDEEDS.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT REMEMBERS THIS FROM HER HOMELAND, GERMANY
Data entry tech comment:
St. Nicholas Day is celebrated on December 6th. Epiphany (Three Kings' Day) is celebrated on January 6th. Collector recorded "St. Nicholas Day, January 6th," so it's unclear which day informant was remembering.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; BEAUTY SHOP
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F120 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Santa Claus |
Date learned: NOT RECORDED BY THE COLLECTOR
CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
IT IS A POLISH CHRISTMAS CUSTOM TO WRITE KMB OVER THE DOORWAY IN YOUR
HOUSE UNTIL AFTER THE THREE KINGS' DAY. A SPECIAL CHALK WAS BLESSED
ON THE FEAST OF THE THREE KINGS AND THEN USED TO PRINT KMB AND THE
YEAR ABOVE EACH DOORWAY IN THE HOUSE.
Keyword(s): EPIPHANY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany |
Date learned: 10-12-1965
POLISH CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
BETWEEN CHRISTMAS AND JANUARY 6 (THE OFFICIAL FEAST DAY OF THE
WISEMEN), POLISH PEOPLE, IN ORDER TO CELEBRATE THE VISITION OF THE
WISEMEN TO CHRIST, CHALK THE FRONT DOORS OF THEIR HOMES WITH THE
LETTERS K, M, AND B. THESE INITIALS SIGNIFY THE NAMES OF THE MAGI:
KASPAR, MELCHIOR, AND BALTHASAR. THE INITIALS ARE ALSO A SIGN OF THE
POLISH FAMILY'S WELCOMING ANY VISITORS WHO WISH TO STOP IN DURING THE
THE CHRISTMAS SEASON. ALSO BETWEEN CHRISTMAS AND JAN. 6, FIVE OR SIX
MEN DRESS UP IN WISEMAN COSTUMES AND PARADE DOWN THE STREETS. THEY
USUALLY CARRY THE HEAD OF A BEAR CARVED OUT OF WOOD. THIS HEAD IS
MOUNTED ON A LONG STICK AND HELD UP BY ONE OF THE MEN. THE LOWER
CHIN OF THE BEAR HEAD IS MOVABLE AND CONTROLLED BY PULLING A STRING.
THE MOVEMENT OF THE LOWER CHIN CAUSES A CLAPPING SOUND WHICH ATTRACTS
THE ATTENTION OF THE PEOPLE AND CHILDREN ON THE STREET. THESE
COSTUMED PARADERS GO FROM HOME TO HOME ALONG THEIR ROUTE COLLECTING
GROCERIES AND LIQUORS. THESE IMPROMPTU ACTORS DO THIS TO GET ALL
THE PEOPLE IN THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Keyword(s): EPIPHANY
Date learned: 10-11-1969
EPIPHANY
AMONG THE MINNESOTA SWEDES OF THE EARLY 20TH CENTURY FROM CHRISTMAS
DAY ONWARD A ROUND OF DINNER PARTIES OF RELATIVES AND FRIENDS WAS
ATTENDED UNTIL EPIPHANY OR THE 12TH DAY ENDED THE SEASON'S
FESTIVITIES.
Where learned: HOME ; ROUTE 1 ; WRITTEN IN A LETTER
Date learned: 03-28-1970
AFTER CHRISTMAS THE PRIEST COMES TO THE HOUSE TO BLESS IT. THIS IS
THE FEAST OF THREE KINGS.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; TOLD IN ; SCRANTON
Keyword(s): EPIPHANY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany |
Date learned: 03-05-1972
EASTERN EPIPHANY CUSTOM
IN THE EASTERN CHURCH THERE IS THE CUSTOM OF THE BLESSING OF ALL THE
ROOMS OF THE HOUSE. THE PRIEST BLESSES THE
ROOM WITH INCENSE AND HOLY WATER AND MARKS IN CHALK ABOVE THE DOOR
19C+B+M67 TO SIGNIFY THAT THE BLESSING OF THE THREE KINGS WILL REMAIN
ON THE HOUSEHOLD FOR THE YEAR.
Submitter comment: HE LEARNED IT WHILE HE WAS IN SCHOOL IN PENNSYLVANIA
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Lights and candles |
Date learned: 12-00-1967
ITALIAN CHRISTMAS LEGEND
IT IS BELIEVED IN ITALY THAT A POOR OLD WOMAN CALLED LABUFANA COMES
TO EACH HOUSE ON THE EPIPHANY AND GIVES THE GOOD PEOPLE FRUITS, NUTS
AND OTHER GIFTS AND TO THE BAD PEOPLE BURNT COAL. IN SOME SMALL
VILLAGES IN ITALY WOMEN DRESS UP AS LABUFANA AND DISTRIBUTE THE
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Gifts, gift giving at Christmas |
CAROLLING ON THREE KINGS DAY AT WINDOWS OR PORCHES AND RECIEVING
MONEY OR REFRESHMENTS IN RETURN.
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): EPIPHANY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Songs, caroling |
Date learned: 10-06-1967
FEAST OF THE THREE KINGS
DURING THE CHRISTMAS SEASON WE DON'T CELEBRATE TOO MUCH. DURING THE
FEAST OF THREE KINGS WE PUT OUR SHOES FULL OF GRASS ON TOP OF THE
WINDOW SILL. SO WHEN THE THREE KINGS PASS BY THE HOUSE AND SEE THE
GRASS THEY WILL LEAVE MONEY FOR THEIR GRATEFULNESS BECAUSE WE HAVE
FED THEIR CAMELS.
Where learned: NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): EPIPHANY
Date learned: 12-04-1965
IN FOGLIZZO, PIEMONTE, ITALY THE CHILDREN HANG THEIR CHRISTMAS
STOCKINGS NOT TO RECEIVE PRESENTS ON CHRISTMAS BUT TO RECEIVE
THEM ON EPIPHANY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Stockings and shoes |
Date learned: 12-00-1977
CHURCH CUSTOM
ON THE FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY (JAN. 6), IT IS A CUSTOM AMONG ROMAN
CATHOLICS TO HAVE A PIECE OF CHALK BLESSED BY A PRIEST AND TO WRITE
OVER AN ENTRANCE TO THEIR HOUSE THE INITIALS OF THE THREE KINGS IN
THE FOLLOWING MANNER: FIRST, THE FIRST TWO NUMBERS OF THE YEAR ARE
WRITTEN, THEN A CROSS, THEN K (FOR KASPAR), CROSS, M (MELCHIOR),
CROSS, B (BALTAZAR), CROSS, THEN THE LAST TWO NUMBERS OF THE YEAR.
FOR EXAMPLE, FOR THE YEAR 1979: 19 + K + M + B + 79.
IF THIS IS DONE, IT WILL PROTECT YOUR HOME FROM BEING STRUCK BY
LIGHTNING IN THE COMING YEAR.
Submitter comment:
THE SPELLINGS OF THE NAMES OF THE KINGS ARE AS GIVEN TO ME BY MY
INFORMANT.
Where learned: DETROIT
Date learned: 02-17-1979
RELIGIOUS
ON JANUARY 6TH (THREE KINGS DAY) PRIESTS GO FROM HOUSE TO HOUSE AND
WRITE THE INITIALS OF THE 3 KINGS WITH BLESSED WHITE CHALK ABOVE
THE DOORS OF THE HOMES. THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BRING HAPPINESS AND
HEALTH AND KEEP AWAY THE THE EVIL SPIRITS. PEOPLE IN TOWN GIVE
CONTRIBUTIONS.
Submitter comment:
THIS TRADITION IS FOLLOWED IN POLAND. AT ONE TIME IT WAS POPULAR
IN DETROIT AND ITS SUBURBS.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Prayer BELIEF -- Word Letter BELIEF -- Color |
Date learned: 04-15-1979
CHRISTMAS EVE
POLES TRADITIONALLY DECORATE THE CHRISTMAS TREE ON CHRISTMAS
EVE DURING THE DAY. THE TREE STAYS UP UNTIL THE 3 KINGS DAY.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A POPULAR CUSTOM IN POLAND AND IN POLISH COMMUNITIES IN
THE U.S.A.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas tree |
Date learned: 04-14-1979
THREE KINGS DAY
ON JANUARY 6 THE CHILDREN RECEIVE GIFTS AS CONMEMORATION OF THE THREE
WISE MEN'S VISIT TO CHRIST. THE NIGHT BEFORE THE CHILDREN PUT GRASS
AND WATER UNDER THEIR BEDS FOR THE CAMELS TO EAT.
Submitter comment: THIS FESTIVAL HAS GOTTEN TO BE OF AS MUCH IMPORTANCE AS CHRISTMAS.
Where learned: PUERTO RICO ; LATIN AMERICA
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 5 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
IRISH CHRISTMAS
WE WOULD SING CAROLS SUCH AS SILENT NIGHT AND ADESTA FEDALAISE-COME
ALL YE FAITHFUL. WE WOULD LOOK IN THE WINDOWS AND SEE ALL THE TOYS.
WE NEVER HAD ANY TOYS. FOR A CHRISTMAS TREE WE WOULD GET AN
EVERGREEN FROM THE FIELD. FOR CHRISTMAS DINNER WE WOULD HAVE TURKEY
DRESSING, BOILED POTATOES, VEGETABLES FROM THE GARDEN, CHRISTMAS
CAKE, AND PLUM PUDDING. WE WOULD HAVE TO CUT THE HEAD OFF AND PLUCK
THE FEATHERS FROM THE TURKEY, IT WOULD TAKE HOURS. THE CHRISTMAS
CAKE WAS A KIND OF FRUIT CAKE. THE PLUM PUDDING WOULD BE HUNG FROM
THE WALL AND TAKEN DOWN FOR CHRISTMAS AND THE FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY
ON JANUARY 6.
Submitter comment:
MY MOTHER LIVED IN BUNCLODY, COUNTY WEXFORD, IRELAND WHEN SHE WAS
YOUNG. SHE CAME FROM A POOR FAMILY.
ADESTA FEDALAISE USUALLY SPELLED ADESTA FIDELES
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below. |
Date learned: 00-00-1932 ; 11-22-1979
FIXED DATE
ON JANUARY SIXTH, THREE MEN DRESSED LIKE KINGS WOULD GO TO EACH HOUS
AND WRITE K.M.B. ABOVE THE DOORS IN CHALK. THESE LETTERS ARE THE
INITIALS OF THE THREE KINGS THAT VISITED THE NEW BORN SAVIOR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany BELIEF -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Emblem |
Date learned: 00001920S ; 02-16-1980
BLESSING OF THE CHALK: EPIPHANY
ON THE EPIPHANY OF JESUS, POLISH CHURCHES OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC
FAITH BLESS CHALK. PARISHIONERS THEN TAKE A PIECE OF BLESSED
CHALK HOME. USING THE BLESSED CHALK, THE PARISHIONER MARKS THE
DOORWAYS OF HIS HOME WITH "KMB."
Submitter comment:
'KMB' IS THE INITIALS OF THE THREE WISE MEN--KASPAR, MELCHIOR,
AND BALTHAZAR. THE DOORS ARE MARKED TO KEEP THE FAMILY SAFE AND
HEALTHY. THE INFORMANT NO LONGER PRACTICES THIS.
THE INFORMANT LEARNT THIS IN DETROIT.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany |
Date learned: CA00001890S ; 01-13-1980