Dr. James T. Callow publications
Browse by
Questions or comments on this site? Please email davidsor@udmercy.edu.
The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for F544 returned 51 results.
AN IRREGULAR CELEBRATION
WHEN A BABY GETS HIS FIRST TOOTH, THE LEBANESE HAVE A
CELEBRATION CALLED A "SNIENEE." AT THIS CELEBRATION
MANY VARIOUS SWEETS ARE MADE AND SERVED.
Where learned: PHONE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Maturity |
Date learned: 10-21-1969
MEXICAN CUSTOM
IN MEXICO WHEN A GIRL TURNS FIFTEEN SHE HAS REACHED THE "AGE
OF ILLUSION" OR IS ON THE "THRESHOLD OF WOMANHOOD." AT
THIS TIME SHE IS TO BE PRESENTED TO SOCIETY. THE PREPARATIONS
START AT LEAST SIX MONTHS BEFORE THE EVENT. IN SOME CASES,
WEALTHY PARENTS SPEND AS MUCH ON THIS OCCASION AS THEY WOULD
FOR A WEDDING. THE FOLLOWING ARE SOME OF THE DETAILS THAT
HAVE TO BE ARRANGED.
INVITATIONS:
EXAMPLE: MR. & MRS. JUAN GONZALEZ
REQUEST THE HONOR OF YOUR PRESENCE
AT THE MASS OF THANKSGIVING
THAT WILL BE OFFERED
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1971
AT HOLY REDEEMER CHURCH
JUNCTION & W. VERNOR
IN HONOR OF THEIR DAUGHTER
MARIA
WHO WILL BE CELEBRATING HER
FIFTEENTH BIRTHDAY
Submitter comment:
THE ABOVE IS ARRANGED ON THE INVITATION LIKE A WEDDING
INVITATION ACCORDING TO THE 5 X 8 CARD. ESCORT: THE GIRL'S ESCORT MAY BE A FAMILY FRIEND, A BROTHER, OR COUSIN. HE SHOULD BE AT LEAST 18 YRS. OLD. "DAMAS" & ESCORTS: THE GIRL MUST CHOOSE FROM AMONG HER FRIENDS FOURTEEN GIRLS TO BE HER "DAMAS." THESE GIRLS WILL EACH REPRESENT ONE YEAR IN HER LIFE. SHE HERSELF WILL REPRESENT THE FIFTEENTH. THE "DAMAS" MUST DRESS FORMALLY AS WELL AS THEIR ESCORTS. FORMAL DRESS: PINK IS THE TRADITIONAL COLOR WORN BY THE GIRL FOR THIS EVENT BUT WHITE IS SOMETIMES PREFERRED. IT MAY BE OF LACE OR ANY DRESSY MATERIAL. AT THE CHURCH THE GIRL KNEELS BETWEEN HER PARENTS. TEARS OF JOY ARE USUALLY SHED BY THE PROUD PARENTS AS THEY REALIZE THAT THEIR LITTLE GIRL HAS GROWN UP. AFTER THE MASS THE PEOPLE GO TO THE RECEPTION. AFTER THE DINNER, THE BAND PLAYS A WALTZ AS SHE MAKES A GRAND ENTRANCE AND DANCES WITH HER FATHER. HALFWAY THROUGH, THE FATHER TURNS HER OVER TO HER ESCORT; AFTER THAT, THE "DAMAS" AND THEIR ESCORTS JOIN IN. THIS IS CERTAINLY ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL MEXICAN TRADITIONS; HONORING A GIRL AT THAT TENDER AGE. IT IS A MOMENTOUS OCCASION IN THE LIFE OF A MEXICAN GIRL, AND IT CAN BE STATED THAT SHE WILL CHERISH THIS EVENT AS BEING SECOND ONLY TO HER WEDDING DAY.
THE INFORMANT'S FAMILY AND FRIENDS STILL DO PRACTICE THIS
CUSTOM IN DETROIT (MICHIGAN).
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Maturity |
Date learned: 02-15-1971
MATURATION RITE
AMONG THE MEXICANS THERE IS THE RITE OF COTILLION, A
COMING-OUT PARTY FOR 16-YEAR-OLD GIRLS. THIS RITE HAS
AN AMAZING SIMILARITY TO A WEDDING. FOR THE GIRL IS
DRESSED LIKE A BRIDE, AND HAS BRIDES-MAIDS, ETC. THE
CEREMONY TAKES PLACE DURING A PUBLIC MASS, WITH MANY
GUESTS INVITED.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Maturity |
Date learned: 10-15-1971
15TH BIRTHDAY--QUINCE ANOS
PEOPLE WHO ARE POOR CELEBRATE THE GIRLS' 15TH BIRTHDAY
BY GOING TO A SPECIAL MASS, IN WHICH THE GIRL GIVES THANKS
THAT GOD HAS LET HER GROW TO BE A WOMAN.
IN THE RICHER FAMILIES A LARGE PARTY IS THROWN. FIRST
THE FAMILY GOES TO MASS AND THEN THEY ALL GO TO A HALL FOR
THE FESTIVAL. THE GIRL HAS 14 ATTENDANTS (BOYS AND GIRLS)
WHO REPRESENT THE YEARS PAST.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAID THE CELEBRATION IS A CROSS BETWEEN A
WEDDING AND OUR COMING OUT PARTIES, FOR 16-YEAR-OLD GIRLS.
Where learned: WESTERN YMCA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Maturity |
Date learned: 11-11-1971
DRINKING AGE
IN GERMANY, THEY HAVE A STANDARD REPLY TO CHILDREN WHEN THEY
ASK IF THEY ARE OLD ENOUGH TO DRINK; THE PARENTS ASK IF
THEY CAN REACH THE BOTTLES IN THE WINE CELLAR.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT WENT TO SCHOOL IN GERMANY WHILE HER FATHER,
AN ARMY OFFICER, WAS STATIONED THERE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Maturity |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
WHEN AN ESKIMO KILLS HIS FIRST SEAL, HIS MOTHER MUST SKIN
IT AND AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE MUST SHARE IN THE EATING
OF IT, ALL EXCEPT THE ONE WHO KILLED IT, THIS IS FOR GOOD
HUNTING.
Submitter comment: THIS WAS TOLD BY GRANDFATHER OF THE INFORMANT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Maturity |
Date learned: 10-06-1970
IT WAS AN ARMENIAN CUSTOM THAT WHEN A CHILD RECEIVES HIS
FIRST TOOTH, A WHEAT LIKE DISH WAS PREPARED. THIS DISH WAS
SERVED TO FRIENDS AND RELATIVES. THIS ILLUSTRATED THAT
THE CHILD WOULD BE EATING SOLID FOODS IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
Submitter comment: THIS WAS DONE DURING THE YEARS 1929-1936.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Maturity |
Date learned: 11-01-1971
CONFIRMATION GIFT, VIENNA, AUSTRIA
WHEN BOYS AND GIRLS IN VIENNA WOULD GET CONFIRMED IN THE
EARLY 1900S, THEIR SPONSORS WOULD GIVE THEM A GOLD, STAR-
SHAPED EARRING DESIGNED FOR PIERCED EARS. EACH CHILD
WOULD WEAR THE EARRING THROUGH HIS RIGHT EAR LOBE FOR HIS
ENTIRE CONFIRMATION DAY.
Submitter comment:
TOLD TO ME BY MY GRANDFATHER, CHARLES F. ZIMMEL, WHO STILL
HAD THE GOLD EARRING AMONG HIS SOUVENIRS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Maturity |
Date learned: 10-08-1968
CONFIRMATION -VIENNA, AUSTRIA
BEFORE THE CHILD IS CONFIRMED, THE GODMOTHER OR GODFATHER
TAKES THE YOUNGSTER TO DINNER. AFTER THE CONFIRMATION
THE SPONSOR TAKES THE CHILD FOR A RIDE AROUND VIENNA
Submitter comment:
PRONOUNCED FEE-AH-CUR--ACCENT ON THE AH
A HORSE AND BUGGY DRIVEN BY A CHAUFFEUR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Maturity |
Date learned: 11-17-1968
MY DAD USED TO ALWAYS GIVE HIM ADVICE ABOUT SCHOOL AND
SPORTS. HE TOLD ME NOT TO WORRY IF FOR SOME REASON I
GOT IN A FIGHT AND LOST. HE SAID THE MAN WHO WAS
NEVER BEATEN WAS PROBABLY NEVER IN A FIGHT. I THINK
HE'S RIGHT.
Where learned: CANADA ; MONTREAL
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Maturity |
Date learned: YEARS AGO
JEWISH BAR MIZVAH TALE
JEWISH BOYS MUST LEARN EXTREMELY WELL THEIR READINGS THAT
ARE TO BE GIVEN ON THEIR BAR MIZVAH AT THE TEMPLE. THERE
IS A STORY OF A YOUNG BOY WHO ON HIS BAR MIZVAH WAS
SO NERVOUS THAT HE FAINTED. YET HE KNEW HIS LESSONS
SO WELL THAT HIS MOUTH SILENTLY UTTERED HIS LINES AS
THEY CARRIED HIM OUT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Maturity |
Date learned: 10-00-1968
A TRIBE IN SOUTH AFRICA KNOCKS OUT OR PULLS OUT THE FRONT
TEETH OF BOYS AND GIRLS WHEN THEY REACH PUBERTY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HIGH SCHOOL ; DETROIT ; CATHOLIC CENTRAL
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Maturity |
Date learned: 10-17-1968
INDIAN RELIGION
WHEN THE INDIAN BOY IS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 9-16, HE UNDER-
GOES "THE THREAD CEREMONY" WHERE HE IS PRESENTED BEFORE AN
ALTAR KNEELING, WHILE THE FAMILY IS PRESENT. HERE HE
TAKES CERTAIN VOWS WHICH INITIATE HIM INTO HINDUISM. THIS
IS NOT DONE FOR GIRLS. THE PARENTS AND THE GRANDPARENTS
BOTH BLESS THE SON AT THIS TIME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Maturity |
Date learned: 02-29-1968
PROMENADE
I REMEMBER WHEN WE VISITED A SMALL TOWN ON THE SPANISH
RIVIERA, FOUR YEARS AGO, CALLED FIGUERAS, SPAIN. THEY HAD
A CURIOUS CUSTOM. CERTAINLY DATING THERE (SPAIN)
HAS ALWAYS BEEN KNOWN TO BE STRICT, IN FIGUERAS THEY
HANDLED THE MATTER IN THIS WAY: ALL THE PARENTS AND
GIRLS WOULD SIT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TOWN SQUARE AND
ALL THE GENTLEMEN WOULD CIRCLE AROUND THIS "PLAZA."
I SUPPOSE WHEN THE YOUNG MAN WOULD GAIN ENOUGH COURAGE
HE APPROACHED THE GIRL AND HER CHAPERONE AND REQUESTED
"AUDIENCE" WITH THEM (HER ESPECIALLY). IF GRANTED
PERMISSION, HE WOULD THEN BE ALLOWED TO WALK, PROMENADE
AROUND THIS SQUARE WITH HIS GIRLFRIEND IN FULL VIEW OF
THE ELDERS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Maturity |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
A BOY BECOMES A MAN WHEN HE CAN SMOKE A CIGAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Maturity |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
TO GROW OR NOT TO GROW
THE IRISH BELIEVE THAT IF YOU PUT MANURE IN A YOUNG CHILD'S
SHOES, HE WILL GROW.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT, WHO IS OF IRISH DESCENT, HEARD THIS BELIEF
AS A CHILD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Maturity |
Date learned: 06-29-1964
MY DADDY AND HIS DADDY BEFORE HIM ALL LEARNED HOW
TO SWIM THE SAME WAY. WHEN I TURNED EIGHT MY DAD
TOOK ME DOWN TO THE CREEK AND TOLD ME "EITHER YOU
SWIM OR YOU DROWN" AND HE THREW ME IN THE CREEK.
WELL I DIDN'T WANT TO DROWN SO I LEARNED HOW TO
SWIM AND THAT'S ALSO HOW MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS
LEARNED AND HOW I TAUGHT MY KIDS.
Submitter comment:
I KNOW THAT THIS IS A TRADITION WHEN A CHILD IS
EIGHT BECAUSE MR. PHILLIPS IS MY FATHER AND THIS
IS HOW I LEARNED HOW TO SWIM WHEN I WAS EIGHT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): AGE
| Subject headings: | 686 Eighths / Eight Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Maturity |
Date learned: 04-00-1983
"QUENCERA"
"QUENCERA" IS A PARTY GIVEN FOR A GIRL WHO TURNS FIFTEEN
AND BECOMES A WOMAN. THIS BIG COMING OUT PARTY IS MADE UP
OF FOURTEEN GIRLS WEARING THE SAME DRESS AND THE BIRTHDAY
GIRL (THE FIFTEENTH), WEARING A WHITE DRESS THAT LOOKS LIKE
A BRIDAL GOWN. THE BIRTHDAY GIRL HAS 25-50 GODPARENTS THAT
BUY HER THE DRESS, SHOES, CROWN, NECKLACE, RING, AND
EARRINGS; THEY ALSO PAY FOR THE MUSIC, DANCE HALL, AND FOOD.
Submitter comment:
THREE YEARS AGO, MY SISTER-IN-LAW'S NIECE, RUBY, HAD HER
COMING OUT PARTY IN HOLLAND, MICHIGAN.
SPANISH COMING-OUT PARTY
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Maturity |
Date learned: 10-17-1984
WHEN A WOMAN TURNS OF AGE (NINETEEN YEARS OLD), SHE IS ALLOWED
TO WEAR A RING. A MAIDEN OF TENDER YEARS CAN NOT DO THIS.
MY MOTHER WAS GIVEN A SMALL TURQUOISE AND DIAMOND RING FOR THIS
SPECIAL OCCASION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights ; WHERE I HEARD THIS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Maturity |
Date learned: 00-00-1959
THE XHOSA TRIBE OF SOUTH AFRICA HAD AN INITIATION
RITE INVOLVING CIRCUMCISION. WHEN A BOY REACHED FIFTEEN,
HE WAS TO BE CIRCUMCISED TO BRING HIM TO MANHOOD. THE
CIRCUMCISION WAS DONE WITH AN ASSEGAI (A WOODEN SPEAR)
AND THE FORESKIN WAS THEN PUT IN AN ANTHILL TO BE
DEVOURED BY THE ANTS, SYMBOLIZING HIS DIMINISHING BOYHOOD.
HE THEN SPENT SEVEN DAYS IN A SMALL LODGE BY THE ANTHILL
WITH THE OTHERS PARTICIPATING IN THE RITE. AFTER THE SEVEN
DAYS, THE MEN EMERGED FROM THE LODGE, BURNED IT DOWN, AND
DID SEVERAL RITUALISTIC DANCES TO SHOW THAT THEY WERE NOW
MEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Seven / Sevenths / Several CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Maturity BELIEF -- Insect |
Date learned: 11-13-1987