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 F642.42 returned 35 results.
UKRANIAN CHRISTMAS
YOU SHOULD HAVE REAL STRAW FOR THE CRIB AND AN OAK TREE FOR THE
CHRISTMAS TREE.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; ERIE
Date learned: 00-00-1966
CHRISTMAS TRADITION
IT IS (A) CUSTOM IN OUR HOUSE TO LEAVE THE CHRISTMAS TREE UP
UNTIL EPIPHANY, SO AS THE THREE KINGS CAN VISIT THE MANGER WHICH
IS UNDER THE TREE.
Where learned: NOT RECORDED
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Manger scenes CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas tree |
Date learned: NOT RECORDED
CHRISTMAS TRADITION
A STAR IS ALWAYS PLACED AT THE TOP OF THE CHRISTMAS TREE.
THE STABLE SCENE IS FOUND UNDER THE TREE.
Submitter comment: CHILDHOOD
Where learned: NOT RECORDED
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Manger scenes CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas tree |
Date learned: 11-00-1968
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
MALTESE CHRISTMAS
IT IS A MALTESE TRADITION TO MAKE A MANGER AT CHRISTMAS INSTEAD
OF THE TRADITIONAL TREE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Manger scenes |
Date learned: 01-28-1979
STAJENKA
EVERY CHRISTMAS IT IS CUSTOMARY FOR POLISH FAMILIES TO DISPLAY
FIGURINES OF CHRIST'S NATIVITY UNDER THEIR CHRISTMAS TREES. BESIDES
STATUES OF JOSEPH, MARY, AND THE INFANT JESUS, SHEPHERDS, SHEEP,
WISE MEN, AND CAMELS ARE PLACED UNDER THE TREE. OFTEN A WHOLE
VILLAGE, INCLUDING HOUSES, FARMS, ANIMALS, AND PEOPLE, IS
CONSTRUCTED. THE NATIVITY DISPLAY IS REFERRED TO AS THE STAJENKA.
Submitter comment:
DISPLAYING THE STAJENKA UNDER THE CHRISTMAS TREE IS A COMMON
PRACTICE FOR THE INFORMANT.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas Season See F645.2 for Advent Season. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Manger scenes |
CHRISTMAS EVE IN THE UNITED STATES
ON CHRISTMAS EVE THE WHOLE FAMILY WOULD GATHER TOGETHER IN
THE LIVING ROOM AND TURN OFF THE LIGHTS. EACH CHILD WOULD BE
GIVEN A LIT CANDLE WHICH THEY WOULD CARRY TO THE MANGER
SITUATED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROOM. THE YOUNGEST CHILD
WOULD HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF CARRYING THE BABY JESUS FIGURE
AND PLACING HIM IN THE CRIB. WE WOULD SING CHRISTMAS CAROLS
AROUND THE MANGER AFTER THE PROCESSION WAS OVER. WHOEVER
WAS CARRYING THE BABY WAS VERY SERIOUS ABOUT THEIR
RESPONSIBILITY AND THOUGHT THAT THEY WOULD HURT HIM IF THEY
HELD TOO TIGHTLY.
Submitter comment:
MY MOTHER STARTED THIS TRADITION WHEN MY BROTHER LEO COULD
FIRST WALK AND NOW IT IS STILL CONTINUING WITH HIS SON
LEO THE FOURTH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Manger scenes |
Date learned: 00-00-1958
CHRISTMAS IN ITALY
THIS IS THE WAY MRS. POPP CELEBRATED CHRISTMAS
UNTIL SHE WAS SEVEN YEARS OLD, WHEN SHE AND HER FAMILY
MOVED TO AMERICA, LEAVING THE TRADITIONS IN ITALY.
CHRISTMAS IN ITALY STARTS IN EARLY FALL AND ENDS ON JANUARY 6
WITH THE ARRIVAL OF LA BAFANA, SANTA'S ASSISTANT.
IN THE EARLY FALL THE YOUNG CHILDREN WOULD GO HOUSE TO
HOUSE BEGGING FOR WOOD, PREPARING FOR THE MOST EXCITING
PART OF THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY, THE GIANT BONFIRE. EVERY YEAR
THE BIGGEST THICKEST LOG, CALLED THE YULE LOG WAS SAVED
THROUGHOUT THE YEAR FOR GOOD LUCK. INSTEAD OF A CHRISTMAS
TREE ITALIANS SET UP A PRESEPIO, AN ELABORATE MODEL OF
BETHLEHEM. THE CRADLE WAS LEFT EMPTY UNTIL CHRISTMAS EVE
WHEN A SPECIAL CHILD WAS GIVEN THE HONOR OF PLACING THE
SMALL STATUE IN THE CRADLE. AT THE CENONE (GREAT BIG DINNER)
SEVEN DIFFERENT KINDS OF FISH ARE SERVED. BEFORE THE FAMILY
GOES TO BED THEY LEAVE CAKES AND CANDY ON THE TABLE AS AN OPEN
INVITATION FOR MARY AND HER SMALL CHILD TO SPEND THE NIGHT.
THIS WAS THEIR WAY OF TELLING MARY THAT THEY NEVER WANTED HER
TO LOOK FOR A PLACE TO LAY HER CHILD, SHE WAS ALWAYS WELCOME
IN THEIR HOMES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 02-00-1984
MANGER
MANY PEOPLE PUT FIGURINES RESEMBLING THE NATIVITY
SCENE UNDER THEIR CHRISTMAS TREES. THESE SMALL
STATUES ARE USUALLY A FEW INCHES IN HEIGHT.
Submitter comment: LEARNED THIS FROM HOME.
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Manger scenes |
Date learned: 12-01-1967
CHRISTMAS
IF YOU ARE GOOD EVERY DAY YOU CAN ADD A LITTLE MORE
STRAW TO THE MODEL MANGER TO MAKE CHRIST'S CRIB
SOFTER.
Submitter comment: FAMILY CUSTOM AS A CHILD.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | 645 September 23 Equinox to December 20 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Manger scenes CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Straw |
Date learned: 12-01-1967
THE CHRIST CHILD IS NOT PUT INTO THE MODEL MANGER
UNTIL CHRISTMAS MORNING.
Submitter comment: FROM FAMILY TRADITION AS A CHILD.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Manger scenes |
Date learned: 11-26-1967
MANGER
MANY PEOPLE PUT FIGURINES RESEMBLING THE NATIVITY
SCENE UNDER THEIR CHRISTMAS TREES. THESE SMALL
STATUES ARE USUALLY A FEW INCHES IN HEIGHT.
Submitter comment: LEARNED THIS FROM HOME.
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Manger scenes |
Date learned: 12-01-1967
CHRISTMAS
IF YOU ARE GOOD EVERY DAY YOU CAN ADD A LITTLE MORE
STRAW TO THE MODEL MANGER TO MAKE CHRIST'S CRIB
SOFTER.
Submitter comment: FAMILY CUSTOM AS A CHILD.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | 645 September 23 Equinox to December 20 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Manger scenes CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Straw |
Date learned: 12-01-1967
IN IRELAND, THE IRISH CUSTOM IN ADVENT, IS TO HAVE A
BOWL OF STRAW AND A MANGER SCENE. WHEN A GOOD DEED IS
PERFORMED, THE PERSON TAKES A PIECE OF STRAW AND PUTS
IT IN THE CRIB. THE OBJECT AND THOUGHT IS TO MAKE THE
CRIB AS SOFT AS POSSIBLE FOR THE INFANT JESUS
Where learned: MARYGROVE COLLEGE ; IRELAND
Keyword(s): MANGER
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | 645 September 23 Equinox to December 20 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Manger scenes CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Straw |
Date learned: 00001968 FALL
CHRISTMAS BELIEF
NO CHRIST CHILD IN THE MANGER BEFORE CHRISTMAS EVE.
Submitter comment:
SHE WILL NOT PUT THE FIGURE IN THE MANGER BEFORE THEN.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
James Callow comment:
Meaning?
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Christ ; CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; holiday ; MANGER ; RELIGION ; SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | Custom CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F122 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Manger scenes BELIEF -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 01-20-1971