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AT WEDDINGS OR OTHER FESTIVE CELEBRATIONS CONFETTI, A TYPE OF
ALMOND CANDY, SUGAR COATED IS USED TO DECORATE SWEET TRAYS. AT
WEDDINGS, THIS IS THROWN AT THE BRIDE AND GROOM AS GOOD LUCK.
FOR GRADUATION THE RED COLORED ONES ARE USED TO WARD OFF EVIL.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Typical Elements of a Festive Pattern
Food Drink -- Pastry Sweet Dessert
BELIEF -- School
BELIEF -- Color
BELIEF -- Good luck

Date learned: 02-26-1979

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IN ITALY, THERE ARE PROCESSIONS HONORING SAINTS AS PATRONS OF
TOWNS AND VILLAGES. PARADES, CELEBRATIONS, MUSIC AND FOOD ARE ALL
A PART OF THE FESTIVITIES.

Submitter comment: PROCESSIONS ARE ESPECIALLY PROMINENT ON THE FEAST OF THE
ASSUMPTION ON AUGUST 15. THESE PROCESSIONS ARE PROMINENT IN THE
TOWN OF POGGIO PICENZE, PROV. L'AQUILA. THE INFORMANT'S FATHER
WAS BORN AND LIVED IN THIS TOWN. HER AUNTS AND COUSINS STILL
LIVE THERE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- August 15 Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Typical Elements of a Festive Pattern
BELIEF -- Religious hero

Date learned: 02-26-1979

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GAMES

CHILDREN ENJOY ROLLING EASTER EGGS DOWN AN INCLINED
BOARD TO SEE WHOSE TRAVELS THE FARTHEST. EGGS ARE ALSO TAPPED
AGAINST ONE ANOTHER . THE LOSER IS THE ONE WHOSE EGG CRACKS FIRST.
FIRECRACKERS ARE ALSO POPULAR.

Submitter comment: THIS CUSTOM IS CARRIED ON IN POLAND. IT IS ALSO CARRIED ON IN
MANY POLISH FAMILIES AROUND DETROIT, INCLUDING MY FAMILY.

Where learned: DETROIT

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Typical Elements of a Festive Pattern
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Season
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Palm Sunday
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter eggs

Date learned: 04-02-1979

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HOLY WEEK CUSTOM

THE FAMILY WOULD FAST DURING HOLY WEEK AND ABSTAINED FROM MEAT
AND SWEETS FROM HOLY WEDNESDAY TO EASTER SUNDAY.

Where learned: WEST VIRGINIA ; MINDEN

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Typical Elements of a Festive Pattern
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Holy Week

Date learned: 00-00-1925

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EYO FESTIVAL

DURING THE EYO FESTIVAL IN LAGOS NO ONE IS PERMITTED TO WEAR SHOES.
PEOPLE DRESSED IN WHITE COSTUMES WITH BLACK COWBOY LOOKING HATS RUN
THROUGH THE STREET ALL DAY CARRYING BROOMS SIMILAR TO WHISK BROOMS
AND IF THEY SEE ANYONE WEARING SHOES THEY WILL HIT YOU WITH THESE
BROOMS.
THEY ALSO STOP CARS.
THEY WILL HIT YOU UNTIL YOU GIVE THEM A GIFT OF MONEY OR SOMETHING
ELSE

Submitter comment: I JUST HAPPENED TO BE IN LAGOS ON THE DAY OF THIS FESTIVAL
AND I SAW ALL THESE KIDS RUNNING AROUND CHASING PEOPLE AND I GOT
SCARED.
MY BOYFRIEND ENEV TOLD ME WE HAD BETTER HEAD BACK TO EBUTE-METTA.
HE WAS NOT SCARED, BUT HE DID SO FOR MY SAKE.
THESE PEOPLE WILL HIT YOU ALL OVER YOUR BODY.

Where learned: NIGERIA ; LAGOS

Subject headings: Favorites
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Custom
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Typical Elements of a Festive Pattern

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"WYGILIA" IS A MEAL CELEBRATED AT CHRISTMAS EVE. AT THIS MEAL
THIRTEEN DIFFERENT FOODS ARE LAID IN A BED OF STRAW. STRAW REPRESENT
THE CRIB. THE THIRTEEN DIFFERENT FOODS REPRESENT THE BLESSED MOTHER,
THE THREE KINGS, AND ALL OF THE ANIMALS. IT IS A TRADITIONAL MEAL
COOKED BEFORE NOON CHRISTMAS EVE DAY. NO COOKING IS DONE AFTER NOON
UNTIL THE DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BERKELEY

Subject headings: 686 Specific number by specific number being described
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Typical Elements of a Festive Pattern
Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals

Date learned: 00-00-1950

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IN A POLISH PARISH, IT IS GOOD LUCK IF THE FAMILY CAN GET TOGETHER
FOR ANY OF THE CHURCH HOLIDAYS, ESPECIALLY ON CORPUS CHRISTI.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BERKELEY

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Typical Elements of a Festive Pattern
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Church
BELIEF -- Good luck

Date learned: 00-00-1950

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HARVEST CELEBRATION IN LIBERIA

MANY PEOPLE IN LIBERIA DEPEND ON AGRICULTURE.
AGRICULTURE DEPENDS ALSO ON FAVORABLE WEATHER
CONDITIONS. THERE ARE TWO SEASONS. THE RAINY AND THE
DRY SEASON. IF THERE ISN'T SUFFICIENT RAIN THERE
WOULDN'T BE SUFFICIENT HARVEST AND THE SITUATION TENDS TO
CREATE UNHAPPINESS IN OUR COMMUNITY. WE HAVE DEVELOPED
RITES AND CEREMONIES THAT RELATES TO RURAL LIFE.
HARVEST CELEBRATION IS AN ACTIVITY WHICH
STRENGTHENED COMMUNITY CONSCIOUSNESS AND SOLIDARITY.
THE HARVEST CELEBRATION IS USUALLY CELEBRATED AT THE
BEGINNING OF THE YEAR. IT IS ALSO A FAMILY AFFAIR.
IT IS A TIME WHEN RELATIVES COME TOGETHER TO CELEBRATE THE
NEW YEAR AND TO REFLECT ON THE PAST YEAR. IT IS A TIME
OF HAPPINESS. BEFORE COLONIZATION, FAMILIES WOULD MEET AT THE
HOME OF THE OLDEST MALE RELATIVE.
AN EXAMPLE WOULD BE THE FATHER, GRANDFATHER, A NEPHEW OR
AN UNCLE OR A DISTANT MALE RELATIVE.
FAMILY MEMBERS ARE PRESENT. INDIVIDUALS CAN ONLY BE EXCUSE
IN THE CASE OF DEATH OR SERIOUS ILLNESS.
RELATIVES WHO LIVE FAR AWAY USUALLY ARRIVE AHEAD OF
SCHEDULE; THEY ARRIVE A DAY AHEAD.
ON THE LAST DAY OF THE YEAR, A SMALL CELEBRATION IS HELD.
RELATIVES ARE OFFICIALLY WELCOME, THE OLDEST MALE IS
PRESENTED WITH GIFTS. THE GIFTS CONSISTS OF CORN,
CATTLE, WHEAT OR RICE. THE YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN USUALLY
ARE GATHERED OUTSIDE AND ARE CIRCLED BY
A FIRE. THEY CARRY ON A CONVERSATION. THE GRANDMOTHERS
SIT WITH THE CHILDREN NEAR A FIRE AND TELL FOLKTALES.
ON NEW YEAR'S MORNING, GOATS ARE SLAUGHTERED. THE YOUNG
MEN PREPARE THE GOAT FOR COOKING AND ROASTING. THE
WOMEN TRAVELS INTO THE FOREST TO GATHER WOOD. THE WOMEN
RETURN AND PREPARE THE MEAL FOR THE BIG CELEBRATION.
WHILE THE WOMEN ARE COOKING, THE MEN ARE GATHERED
IN A SPECIAL GROUP TO CONVERSE AND TO DRINK PINEWINE. A PINE IS
SHARED AMONG THE MALES. MATTERS OF VITAL IMPORTANCE
ARE DISCUSSED. VILLAGE IMPROVEMENT IS ALSO DISCUSSED.
THE HARVEST CELEBRATION IS USUALLY READY BY MID_AFTERNOON.
EVERYONE EATS AT THIS TIME. AFTER EVERYONE HAS EATEN,
THE WOMEN ARE LEFT ALONE TO PERFORM THE CLEANING.
THE MEN RETIRE TO ANOTHER LOCATION TO DISCUSS THE NEW YEAR.
AFTER CLEANING THE COOKING UTENSILS AND YARD,
THE WOMEN RETURN AND THE VILLAGE ELDERS
USUALLY PRAISE THE WOMEN FOR THE DELICIOUS MEAL
AND ENCOURAGES EVERYONE TO MAKE A WISH FOR THE NEW YEAR.
AFTER THE PRAISES AND SPEECH BY THE ELDERS,
WOMEN, MEN AND CHILDREN ALIKE ARE JOINED TOGETHER
FOR A FESTIVAL WHICH INCLUDES MUSIC AND DANCE.
AT THE END OF THE MUSIC WHICH USUALLY BRING THE HARVEST
TO AN END, A GRANDPARENT LEADS ALL IN PRAYERS FOR A SAFE
JOURNEY HOME.
THIS BRING A HAPPY AND MEMORABLE CELEBRATION TO AN END.

Submitter comment: THE CELEBRATION IS HELD DURING THE MONTH OF JANUARY.
WE PARTICIPATE IN THIS FESTIVAL ANNUALLY.

Where learned: LIBERIA ; BONG COUNTY

James Callow Keyword(s): IT IS ALSO SEXES ; SEPARATION OF THE SEXES ; SEXISM

Subject headings: Favorites
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Typical Elements of a Festive Pattern
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Typical Elements of a Festive Pattern
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Autumn Fall Harvest Thanksgiving
BELIEF -- Prayer

Date learned: 00-00-1968

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IF A COW DOESN'T PRODUCE MILK, IT'S BECAUSE THE WITCH
CAST A SPELL. THEREFORE, BEFORE ALL HOLY DAYS, POLISH
VILLAGERS WOULD BURN BLESSED HERBS IN AN INCENSE BURNER
IN THE BARN, BELIEVING THAT THE SMOKE WOULD CHASE
AWAY THE WITCH.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Typical Elements of a Festive Pattern

Date learned: 02-07-1971

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COLOR

FOR ALL OFFICIAL CEREMONIES (INDUCTION OF PLEDGES,
INITIATION OF NEW MEMBERS AND FOUNDER'S DAY)
THE MEMBERS OF SIGMA SIGMA SIGMA WEAR WHITE DRESSES.
THE WHITE IS TO SIGNIFY THEIR INNOCENCE AND PURITY.

Where learned: GROSSE POINTE WOODS ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Typical Elements of a Festive Pattern

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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ANGEL BREAD

ANGEL BREAD IS A PASTRY MADE FOR ANY TYPE OF SPECIAL
OCCASION BY THE POLISH. THE HOST TAKES THE ANGEL
BREAD AND OFFERS IT TO HIS GUESTS ONE BY ONE.
EACH GUEST BREAKS OFF A LITTLE PIECE AND MAKES A
WISH.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Typical Elements of a Festive Pattern

Date learned: 03-29-1971

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GHOST FESTIVAL CUSTOM

PRIESTS WHO ARE CALLED TAOISTS ARE SOMETIMES CHARGED
WITH THE DUTY OF CHASING GHOSTS AWAY BY RELIGIOUS
CEREMONIES. THEY WILL THROW RICE ALL AROUND THE
FLOOR AS A FINAL ASSURANCE OF CHASING GHOSTS AWAY.
THIS IS NOT DONE DURING A MARRIAGE CEREMONY.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS IN TAIWAN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIBRARY ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Typical Elements of a Festive Pattern

Date learned: 02-12-1971

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VOCABULARY

PARTY INVITATIONS READ: B.Y.O.-VICE.

Submitter comment: STANDS FOR: BRING YOUR OWN VICE, WHICH IS AN OUTGROWTH
OF THE MORE CONSERVATIVE PARTY INVITATIONS THAT READ:
B.Y.O.B., WHICH STANDS FOR BRING YOUR OWN BOOZE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Typical Elements of a Festive Pattern

Date learned: 11-00-1971

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NORSE

IT WAS CONSIDERED GOOD LUCK ON HOLIDAYS TO FEED THE
HORSES OATS AND TO LEAD THEM THROUGH THE HOUSE,
UPSTAIRS AND DOWN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Typical Elements of a Festive Pattern

Date learned: 09-00-1971

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GOOD WILL JEWISH CUSTOM

BAR MITZVAHS AND WEDDINGS ARE OCCASIONS FOR WHICH THE
JEWS LOOK FORWARD TO RECIPROCATING GOOD WILL AND THANKS
TO OLD FRIENDS AND RELATIVES. IT IS ALMOST AN OUTLOOK
OF EQUAL CELEBRATION FOR THE HONORED AND THE GUESTS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Typical Elements of a Festive Pattern

Date learned: 10-00-1968

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A FEAST

WHENEVER THERE IS A HOMECOMING (BOY COMES HOME FROM
MILITARY SERVICE, NEW BRIDE, ETC.) A LAMB IS KILLED
FOR A FEAST.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT SAID THIS CUSTOM WAS OBSERVED IN THE OLD
COUNTRY (TURKEY).

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; OAK PARK

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Typical Elements of a Festive Pattern

Date learned: 03-18-1972

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AT EVERY HOLIDAY WHEN WE HAD TURKEY, MOTHER WOULD
ALWAYS SAVE THE WISHBONE. SHE WOULD DRY IT OUT.
THEN MY BROTHER AND I WOULD EACH TAKE AN END, MAKE
A WISH AND PULL THE BONE APART. WHOEVER GOT THE
LONG PART OF THE BONE, THEIR WISH WOULD COME TRUE.

Where learned: ALLEN PARK ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Typical Elements of a Festive Pattern

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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CENTENNIAL

DURING CENTENNIAL TIME EVERYONE MUST GROW A BEARD
OR ELSE THEY GET THROWN IN JAIL.

Submitter comment: IT HAPPENED TO INFORMANT'S HUSBAND IN ARIZONA.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Typical Elements of a Festive Pattern

Date learned: 10-01-1968

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CUSTOM

SMOKING IS ALWAYS A CEREMONY TO INDIANS. THEY DON'T
SMOKE ALONE; ALL IMPORTANT DECISIONS ARE OPENED
WITH A SMOKE.

Where learned: WORK

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Typical Elements of a Festive Pattern

Date learned: 11-00-1968

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NEPALESE CUSTOM

A PERSON CAN STILL PARTICIPATE IN THE CELEBRATION OF A
HOMELAND FEAST, EVEN THOUGH AWAY FROM HOME, BY PUTTING
A PETAL OF THE FLOWER USED IN THE CELEBRATION (SENT TO
HIM FROM HOME) IN HIS HAIR.

Submitter comment: SOURCE HAD A PIECE OF FLOWER USED IN A HINDU FEAST ON
BROTHERS' DAY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Typical Elements of a Festive Pattern

Date learned: 11-04-1968

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