Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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IN LOUISIANA INSTEAD OF SERVING SOUP BEFORE A MEAL AS AN APPETIZER,
THE CREOLES SERVE GUMBO MADE OF OKRA, VEGETABLES, SEAFOOD AND
OTHER MEATS.
Submitter comment: THIS IS A MUST FOR SUNDAY DINNER IN NEW ORLEANS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
Date learned: 02-00-1979
POLISH CUSTOM
A PERSON USUALLY TAKES A BREAK BETWEEN 3PM-6PM AND VISITS TEA SHOPS.
IF YOU ORDER TEA, IT IS BROUGHT IN A TALL THIN GLASS. SLICED LEMON
IS A MORE POPULAR ACCOMPANIMENT THAN CREAM. PASTRIES AND TARTS ARE
USUALLY SERVED WITH IT.
Submitter comment: STILL COMMONLY PRACTICED IN POLAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN HEIGHTS
Date learned: 01-00-1979
PATRON SAINT FESTIVAL
IN EVERY TOWN THERE IS A WEEK OF CELEBRATION, PARTYING, PARADES,
AND ENTERTAINMENT IN CONMEMORATION TO THE TOWNS SAINT.
Where learned: PUERTO RICO
Date learned: 00-00-1979
SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST'S NIGHT.
ON THE EVE OF SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST'S DAY EVERYBODY GOES TO THE
BEACHES TO SPEND THE NIGHT THERE. THERE ARE CERTAIN RITUALS DONE ON
THAT NIGHT THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO BRING GOOD LUCK THE FOLLOWING YEAR.
FOR EXAMPLE: AT MIDNIGHT YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO THROW YOURSELF THREE
TIMES BACKWARDS IN THE SEA FOR GOOD HEALTH. A YOUNG GIRL SHOULD PUT
TWO NEEDLES IN A GLASS OF WATER,SYMBOLIZING HERSELF AND HER BOYFRIEND
IF THE NEXT DAY THE NEEDLES ARE TOGETHER SHE WILL MARRY THAT MAN.
ALSO SHE SHOULD PUT THREE BEANS UNDER HER PILLOW THAT NIGHT. ONE
SHOULD HAVE THE SKIN ON WHICH MEANS SHE WILL MARRY A RICH MAN. THE
SECOND ONE SHOULD BE HALF PEELED SIMBOLIZING MIDDLE CLASS WEALTH AND
THE THIRD ONE SHOULD BE COMPLETELY PEELED MEANING POVERTY. IN THE
MORNING SHE SHOULD PUT HER HAND UNDER THE PILLOW WITHOUT LOOKING,
AND TAKE ONE BEAN. THIS WILL DETERMINE HER ECONOMICAL STATUS IN HER
MARRIAGE. PUT A GLASS OF WATER UNDER YOUR BED TO KEEP THE EVIL SPIRIT
AWAY THE REST OF THE YEAR.
Where learned: PUERTO RICO
Date learned: 00-00-1979
NEW YEAR'S EVE
ALL CHURCH BELLS WOULD RING AT MIDNIGHT.
Where learned: WEST VIRGINIA ; MINDEN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Week Day Hour |
Date learned: 00-00-1924
BIRTH
IT IS A GREEK CUSTOM FOR A WOMAN NOT TO GO TO CHURCH FOR 40 DAYS
AFTER A BABY IS BORN. THIS IS BECAUSE SHE IS CONSIDERED "UNCLEAN".
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD ; COLUMBIA REALTY OFFICE
James Callow Keyword(s): CHURCHING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Week Day Hour BELIEF -- Number P686.1.40 |
Date learned: 02-17-1971
CUSTOM
A WOMAN CANNOT GO TO CHURCH UNTIL SIX WEEKS AFTER THE BIRTH OF HER
CHILD. AFTER THIS TIME SHE WILL BE PURIFIED.
Submitter comment: ROMANIAN
Where learned: HOME ; LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
| Subject headings: | 686 Sixths / Six CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Week Day Hour |
Date learned: 09-17-1969
IT IS BAD LUCK TO READ COFFEE CUPS ON SATURDAY NIGHT.
Submitter comment: ARMENIANS READ COFFEE GROUNDS AS OTHERS READ TEA CUPS.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Week Day Hour BELIEF -- Use of Object BELIEF -- Bad luck |
WOMEN INSIST ON DOING THE LAUNDRY ON MONDAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BERKELEY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Week Day Hour CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Working |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
HOLY SATURDAY CUSTOM
SERVICES FOR HOLY SATURDAY ARE HELD AT 12:00 MIDNIGHT.
AT THIS TIME, ALL OF THE LIGHTS IN THE CHURCH ARE TURNED
OFF. THE PRIEST AND THE PARISHIONERS HAVE CANDLES. THE
PRIEST'S CANDLE IS LIT IN THE ALTAR IN THE CHURCH.
HERE THE PRIEST LIGHTS THE PARISHIONERS CANDLES UNTIL
ALL CANDLES ARE LIT. SONGS ARE THEN SUNG TO PROCLAIM
CHRIST'S RESSURECTION.
Submitter comment:
THE RESSURECTION OF CHRIST ON HOLY SATURDAY EVENING IS
CELEBRATED IN THIS MANNER AT ALL OF THE GREEK ORTHODOX
CHURCHES IN THE WORLD. AFTER THE SERVICE IS OVER, THE
FAMILIES GO HOME WHERE HUGE MEALS OF SOUP, LAMB, BREAD,
WINE, RICE, AND OTHER ASSORTED GREEK DELICACIES ARE SERVED.
THIS IS A GREEK-AMERICAN CUSTOM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | 663 Holy Saturday CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Week Day Hour Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals |
DRESS
IF YOU WEAR YELLOW ON THURSDAY, IT MEANS YOU ARE
QUEER. IF YOU WEAR RED ON FRIDAY, IT MEANS YOU ARE
A WHORE.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS A CUSTOM FOLLOWED DURING MY HIGH SCHOOL DAYS
1965-1968
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; OAK PARK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Week Day Hour |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
DON'T TRANSACT ANY TYPE OF BUSINESS ON FRIDAY OR MAKE
ANY KIND OF VISIT, OTHERWISE, YOU WILL HAVE BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
MRS. MUGGLETON LEARNED THIS BELIEF FROM HER ENGLISH-
BORN HUSBAND AND STILL PRACTICES IT.
Where learned: TELEPHONE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Week Day Hour BELIEF -- Work Commerce Business BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 11-02-1963
SPECIFIC TIME TO SWIM
WHEN ON VACATION IN THE IRON MOUNTAIN REGION (UPPER
MICHIGAN) THIS FAMILY HAS A SPECIFIC TIME FOR
SWIMMING--2 O'CLOCK TIL 5. DURING THIS TIME, EVERYONE
GATHERS AT THE BEACH AND EITHER SWIMS OR SNACKS.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM HER FAMILY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Week Day Hour CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Routine activity |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
PACZKI DAY
THE DAY BEFORE ASH WEDNESDAY IS KNOWN AS PACZKI DAY,
AND ON THIS DAY MOST POLISH COOKS BAKE PACZKI AND
DISTRIBUTE THEM TO THE CHILDREN, AND THESE PACZKI ARE
THEN EATEN AS DESERT AFTER A MEAL ON THAT DAY.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT REMEMBERS THIS TRADITION FROM HER YOUTH
WHEN PACZKI, JELLY-BUNS, WERE EATEN ON THAT DAY,
ESPECIALLY TO REMIND THE PERSON OF THE LENTEN DAYS
WHICH LIE AHEAD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Home CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Week Day Hour CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Pre Lent |
Date learned: 01-09-1964
SWITCHING DAY
ACCORDING TO AN OLD POLISH CUSTOM, THE MONDAY AFTER
EASTER IS CALLED, "SWITCHING DAY." ON THIS DAY IN THE
MORNING, A BOY GOES OUT AND CUTS A SWITCH FROM A BUSH.
HE GOES TO A GIRL'S HOUSE WHERE HER MOTHER LETS HIM IN,
AND HE SWITCHES THE GIRL. WHEN HE IS DONE, THE
MOTHER PAYS HIM FOR SWITCHING HER DAUGHTER.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT FIRST HEARD OF THIS CUSTOM AT ABOUT THE
AGE OF FIVE FROM HER MOTHER; THE FIRST TIME THAT HER
MALE COUSIN CAME OVER TO SWITCH HER. SHE REMEMBERS
BEING SWITCHED TILL ABOUT THE AGE OF NINE OR TEN,
WHEN SHE FINALLY LOCKED HERSELF IN THE BATHROOM ON
THE MORNING OF SWITCHING DAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIBRARY ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Week Day Hour CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus |
DYNGUS
THE MONDAY AND TUESDAY AFTER EASTER ARE CALLED DYNGUS
BY THE POLISH PEOPLE. ON MONDAY EARLY IN THE MORNING,
THE BOYS USED TO GO OUT AND CUT A SWITCH, USUALLY A
PUSSY-WILLOW, AND GO TO A GIRL'S HOUSE WHERE HE WAS
LET IN BY HER MOTHER. IF THE GIRL WAS ASLEEP, THE BOY
COULD AWAKEN HER BY THROWING WATER ON HER. IF HE WERE
A GENTLEMAN, HE WOULD SPRINKLE COLOGNE ON HER. WHEN
SHE AWOKE, HE SWITCHED HER WITH THE BRANCH HE HAD CUT.
THIS WAS DONE TO INSURE HER GOOD BEHAVIOR FOR THE REST
OF THE YEAR. WHEN HE WAS DONE, HE WAS USUALLY TREATED
TO SOME REFRESHMENT BY THE GIRL'S MOTHER. ON TUESDAY,
THE GIRLS WOULD HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF REVERSING THE
PROCESS ON THE BOY'S PEACEFUL SLEEP, AND THEIR ACTIONS
USUALLY DEPENDED ON THE TREATMENT THEY HAD RECEIVED
THE DAY BEFORE.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT, MY MOTHER, REMEMBERS THIS TRADITION
VERY CLEARLY FROM HER CHILDHOOD WHEN SHE LEARNED IT
FROM HER MOTHER, WHO WAS BORN IN POLAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Week Day Hour CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Ascension Day |
Date learned: 01-08-1964
SWIECONKA
EVERY YEAR ON HOLY SATURDAY, ONE OF THE MEMBERS OF THE
FAMILY TAKES AN EASTER BASKET FULL OF FOOD, USUALLY
HAM, BREAD AND BUTTER, MIXED SALT AND PEPPER, HORSE
RADISH, AND SOME COLORED EGGS, TO CHURCH WHERE IT
IS BLESSED BY THE PRIEST. ON EASTER SUNDAY, THIS
BLESSED FOOD IS SERVED AT THE MAIN MEAL. BEFORE IT IS
SERVED, HOWEVER, THE HEAD OF THE FAMILY, USUALLY
THE GRANDFATHER, CUTS UP THE BLESSED EGGS AND SERVES
A PIECE TO EACH MEMBER OF THE FAMILY, WHILE WISHING
THAT MEMBER A HAPPY EASTER. EACH MEMBER THEN EXCHANGES
WISHES WITH THE OTHER MEMBERS BY MEANS OF A KISS OR
A HANDSHAKE.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT AGAIN HAD MERELY TO FILL IN DETAILS AND
SUPPLY THE CORRECT SPELLING OF THE NAME SWIECONKA,
FOR THIS TRADITION IS ALSO VERY MUCH ALIVE IN OUR
FAMILY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 663 Holy Saturday CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Home CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Week Day Hour CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting |
Date learned: 01-08-1964
EAT CABBAGE OR SAUERKRAUT ON NEW YEAR'S FOR GOOD LUCK.
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM YOUTH.
Where learned: INDIANA ; Hudson Lake
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Week Day Hour CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 BELIEF -- Home |
Date learned: 11-25-1967
OPLATEK
EVERY YEAR WHEN THE WHOLE FAMILY GETS TOGETHER ON
CHRISTMAS EVE FOR THE CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER, THE HEAD
OF THE FAMILY, USUALLY THE GRANDFATHER, TAKES A
PLATE OF OPLATEK (COMMUNION-LIKE WAFER) AND GIVES
EVERYONE PRESENT A PIECE OF IT. EVERYONE PRESENT THEN
APPROACHES EVERYONE ELSE IN THE ROOM, STARTING WITH
THE ELDER MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY; AND THEY OFFER THAT
PERSON A PIECE OF THEIR OPLATEK WHILE TAKING A
SMALL PIECE FROM THAT PERSON. WHILE THIS IS BEING
DONE, CHRISTMAS WISHES AND WISHES OF GOOD LUCK FOR THE
COMING YEAR ARE ALSO EXCHANGED BY THE PEOPLE SHARING
THEIR OPLATEK. THIS IS FOLLOWED BY AKISS OR A
HANDSHAKE.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT, MY MOTHER, HAD ONLY TO FILL IN A FEW
DETAILS AND GIVE ME THE CORRECT SPELLING FOR THE WORD
OPLATEK, WHICH IN AMERICA MEANS WAFER OR ANGEL-BREAD.
THIS TRADITION IS STILL VERY MUCH ALIVE IN OUR FAMILY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Home CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Week Day Hour CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 |
Date learned: 01-08-1964