Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for F640.0101 returned 28 results.
NEW YEAR'S EVE
IF A STRANGER ENTERS YOUR HOUSE THROUGH THE
BACK DOOR ON NEW YEAR'S EVE YOU'LL HAVE BAD LUCK ALL YEAR.
Submitter comment:
NOT BELIEVED
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share the same surname.
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): DIRECTION ; FIRST FOOTING ; LOCATION ; POSITION
Date learned: 00-00-1968
NEW YEAR'S CUSTOM
WASHING WITH A PIECE OF SILVER
SO THE NEW YEAR WILL BE PROSPEROUS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; informant's home
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; CONTAGIOUS MAGIC ; HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC
Date learned: 10-22-1968
NEW YEAR'S CUSTOM
IF YOU ARE THE FIRST PERSON TO ENTER
A FRIEND'S HOME, YOU MUST GIVE THEM A GIFT.
Submitter comment:
LEARNED FROM GRANDMOTHER
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): GIFTGIVING
Date learned: 12-06-1967
NEW YEAR'S CUSTOM
IF YOU LAY A BROOM ACROSS THE DOOR-WAY,
THE FIRST PERSON TO PICK IT UP AND GIVE IT
TO YOU WILL BE AN ENEMY OF YOURS THAT YEAR.
Submitter comment:
LEARNED FROM GRANDMOTHER
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FIRST FOOTING
Date learned: 12-06-1967
NEW YEAR CUSTOM
THERE IS A GREEK TRADITION WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO BRING
GOOD LUCK. THERE IS A PASTRY CALLED PETA WHICH IS BAKED
IN A SQUARE PAN. BEFORE IT IS BAKED THE COOK PUTS
MONEY RANGING FROM A NICKEL TO FIFTY CENTS. IT USED TO BE
A FIFTY CENT PIECE BUT NOW THAT MONEY IS PRECIOUS IT'S GETTING
SMALLER AND SMALLER. ANYWAYS, THEY PUT THIS COIN IN THE DOUGH
AND BAKE IT. THE PERSON WHO GETS THE PIECE WITH THE COIN
WILL HAVE GOOD LUCK THAT WHOLE YEAR. THE CEREMONY HAPPENS ON
NEW YEAR'S DAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): DOUGH CALLED "FILO" ; GIFTGIVING ; GREEK CHEESE IS CALLED "FETA"
Date learned: 02-23-1972
CUSTOM-FIRST FOOTING
THE FIRST PERSON TO STEP FOOT IN YOUR HOUSE AFTER THE NEW YEAR
CANNOT DO SO EMPTY-HANDED. IF THEY DO IT MEANS THAT YOU AND YOUR
FAMILY WILL HAVE A LEAN YEAR. IF THEY BRING A GIFT, THEN YOU AND
YOUR FAMILY WILL HAVE A FAT YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC ; SYMBOLIC ACTION
Date learned: 09-26-1965
CUSTOM
WHEN INFORMANT WAS LITTLE, A FAMILY
CUSTOM AT NEW YEAR'S WAS TO BE SURE THAT
SOMEONE--THE FIRST PERSON INTO THE HOUSE AFTER
MIDNIGHT--BROUGHT WITH HIM SOME BREAD
AND A BOTTLE OF WINE TO INSURE A FULL
CUPBOARD DURING THE COMING YEAR. IF NO ONE
WAS GOING TO BE OUT LATE, THE PROVISIONS
WERE LEFT OUT ON THE KITCHEN TABLE UNTIL
MORNING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
Keyword(s): GIFTGIVING ; HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC
Date learned: 11-08-1967
NEW YEAR'S CUSTOM
THE POLISH WRITE THE NEW YEAR ON THE INSIDE OF THE DOOR OF
THEIR HOUSE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; RENO HALL ; DETROIT
Date learned: 11-14-1968