Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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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
CHRISTMAS DAY IN POLAND
CHRISTMAS DAY IN POLAND FINDS THE TABLES LADEN WITH FOOD. THEIR
FAVORITE KIELBASA, HAM AND BEEF CAN BE SEEN. ALSO, THE BEST IN
POLISH WINES, THEIR FAVORITE BAKED GOODS ARE SHARED WITH FAMILY
AND FRIENDS. NEIGHBORS VISIT ONE ANOTHER AND SING KOLENDY OUTSIDE
THEIR DOORS, A CUSTOM EVERYONE THOROUGHLY ENJOYS--SO THE DAY GOES--A HAPPY TIME FOR ALL.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share same surname.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; informant's home ; St. Clair Shores ; 25940 MADISON CT., S.
| Subject headings: | 122 Christmas CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Songs, caroling |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR.
CHRISTMAS
ON CHRISTMAS MORNING THE FAMILY HAD A FRUIT-FILLED COFFEE CAKE
AND PUT A CANDLE ON IT AND THEN THE FAMILY SANG HAPPY BIRTHDAY
DEAR JESUS.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS DONE BY THE INFORMANT FROM 1949 TO 1969
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Birthday ; CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; FOOD ; holiday ; JESUS ; tradition
| Subject headings: | 122 Christmas CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Lights and candles CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Songs, caroling |
Date learned: 11-23-1970
CAROLLING ON THREE KINGS DAY AT WINDOWS OR PORCHES AND RECIEVING
MONEY OR REFRESHMENTS IN RETURN.
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): EPIPHANY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Songs, caroling |
Date learned: 10-06-1967
CHRISTMAS EVE CELEBRATION
THE MAIN FEATURE DURING CHRISTMAS EVE IS THE EVENING MEAL CALLED
"HOLY SUPPER" (SVYATA VECHERA). THE SUPPER ON HOLY NIGHT HAS
TWELVE LENTEN DISHES, SYMBOLIC OF THE TWELVE APOSTLES WHO GATHERED
AT THE LAST SUPPER. THESE DISHES OMIT ALL ANIMAL FAT, MILK,
AND MILK PRODUCTS BECAUSE DURING CHRISTMAS EVE THERE IS A STRICT
FAST. THE TABLE IS SET FIRST WITH A SMALL HANDFUL OF FINE HAY IN
MEMORY OF THE CHRIST CHILD IN A MANGER. OVER IT IS SPREAD THE
VERY BEST TABLECLOTH ADORNED WITH NATIVE EMBROIDERY. BREAD (KOLACH)
DECORATES THE CENTRAL TABLE. THE KOLACH IS THREE ROUND, BRAIDED
LOAVES, WHICH IS PLACED ONE ON TOP OF THE OTHER WITH A CANDLE
INSERTED INTO THE TOP LOAF, AND THE BOTTOM LOAF IS ENCIRCLED
WITH TINY TWIGS OF EVERGREEN. A LIGHTED CANDLE IS ALWAYS PLACED
IN THE WINDOW AS AN INVITATION TO ANY HOMELESS STRANGER TO JOIN
THE FAMILY IN CELEBRATING THE BIRTH OF CHRIST.
PRIOR TO THE EVENING MEAL A SPOONFUL OF EACH DISH IS MIXED INTO
THE FOOD OF THE DOMESTIC ANIMALS, BECAUSE ANIMALS WERE THE FIRST
CREATURES TO BEHOLD THE NEW-BORN CHRIST. THE FIRST STAR IN THE
EASTERN SKY ANNOUNCES THE TIME FOR THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE MEAL.
MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY GATHER AROUND THE TABLE AND BEGIN THE MEAL
WITH THE LORD'S PRAYER. THE FIRST DISH IS KUTYA , A PREPARATION OF
COOKED WHEAT DRESSED WITH HONEY, GROUND POPPY SEED AND SOMETIMES
CHOPPED NUTS. THE HEAD OF THE FAMILY RAISES THE FIRST SPOONFUL
OF THE KUTYA, AND GREETS THE FAMILY WITH KHRYSTOS RODYVSYA}"
(CHRIST IS BORN}), TO WHICH THEY ALL REPLY "SLAVIN YOHO}"
(LET US GLORIFY HIM). AFTER THIS EVERYONE PARTAKES OF THE KUTYA.
KUTYA IS FOLLOWED WITH AN APPETTZER OF PICKLED HERRINGS OR PICKLED
MUSHROOMS, OR WITH A SERVING OF BORSCH (BEET SOUP). AFTER THE
APPETIZERS COMES THE ENTREES. SOME OF THE ENTREES ARE HOLUBTSI
WITH RICE OR BUCKWHEAT (STUFFED CABBAGE), SAUERKRAUT WITH PEAS,
VARENYKY WITH POTATOES OR SAUERKRAUT (DUMPLINGS), AND MAYBE
BAKED BEETS. FOLLOWING THE ENTREES COMES THE DESSERT, SUCH AS
VARENYKY WITH PRUNES, VARENYKY WITH POPPY SEEDS, AND COMPOTE OF
DRIED FRUIT. AFTER THE MEAL, THE FAMILY JOINS IN SINGING CHRISTMAS
CAROLS AND GENERAL MERRY-MAKING. IT IS STRICTLY A FAMILY EVENING.
AFTER MIDNIGHT THE FAMILY ATTENDS A SPECIAL CHRISTMAS SERVICE
ENRICHED WITH CHORAL MUSIC. THROUGH THE FOLLOWING DAYS ORGANIZED
GROUPS OF CAROLLERS VISIT THE HOMES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Date learned: 12-03-1977
RELIGIOUS
BEFORE CHRISTMAS, SIX BOYS CARRY THE MANGER. THREE OF THEM DRESS UP
AS THE THREE KINGS. ONE CARRIES A LIGHTED STAR AND TWO CARRY
STATUES OF MARY AND JOSEPH. THEY SING CAROLS AND ARE REWARDED WITH
SWEETS AND APPLES.
Submitter comment:
IN POLAND, DURING THE CHRISTMAS SEASON, THE BOYS MARCH FROM
HOUSE TO HOUSE.
Where learned: DETROIT
O TANNENBAUM
O TANNENBAUM, O TANNENBAUM,
WIE TRER SIND DUNE BLATTER.
DU GRUNST NICHT NUR ZUR SOMMER
ZUT NEIN AUCH IM WINTER WENN ES SCHNEIT. MM
O TANNENBAUM, O TANNENBAUM,
WIE TRER SIND DEINE BLATTER.
SO, SO WIRE ICH DICH LIEBE,
SO, SO LIEBE OUCH MICH!
DIE, DIE ZART-LICH-STEN TRIEBE FUHLE ICH EINZIG FUR DICH.
JA, JA, JA, JA FUHLE ICH EINZIG FUR DICH. MM
O CHRISTMAS TREE, O CHRISTMAS TREE,
HOW TRUE ARE YOUR LEAVES.
YOU ARE GREEN NOT ONLY IN THE SUMMER TIME,
BUT ALSO IN THE WINTER WHEN IT SNOWS. MM
O CHRISTMAS TREE, O CHRISTMAS TREE,
HOW TRUE ARE YOUR LEAVES.
SO, SO THE WAY I LOVE YOU,
SO, SO YOU LOVE ME TOO!
THE TENDER LONGING I FEEL ONLY FOR YOU.
YES, YES, YES, YES I FEEL ONLY FOR YOU.
Submitter comment:
SHE DID NOT KNOW HOW TO SPEAK ENGLISH UNTIL SHE ENTERED
HIGH SCHOOL.
Data entry tech comment:
Keypunched by R.J.Miller 11/82
Updated by TRD 01/12
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; PEORIA
Keyword(s): Carol ; CHRISTMAS ; Evergreen ; holiday ; Lyrics ; SONG ; Tree
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Admiration Praise Adulation CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F122 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Songs, caroling |
Date learned: 11-00-1971
THE FOLLOWING IS IN THE INFORMANT'S OWN WORDS.
"IN MY SENIOR YEAR IN HIGH SCHOOL, THE GIRLS GLEE CLUB
PERFORMED THREE FRENCH CAROLS AT OUR CHRISTMAS CONCERT. I HAVE
NOT HEARD ANY OF THE CAROLS SINCE, BUT I LIKED ONE SO WELL THAT I
MADE AN EFFORT TO REMEMBER IT, AND I SANG IT TO MY DAUGHTERS WHEN
THEY WERE SMALL:
"ONCE UPON A WINTER'S NIGHT MANY YEARS AGO IT'S TOLD
WHEN THE WIND WAS AT ITS HEIGHT
AND THE SNOW WAS DEEP AND COLD,
INTO BETHLEHEM DID RIDE GENTLE MARY ON A BEAST WITH JOSEPH
WALKING BY HER SIDE
SEEKING SHELTER FOR THE NIGHT.
COLD AND WEARY FROM THEIR FLIGHT, AT AN INN THEY SOUGHT A
BED
BUT THE KEEPER SCORNED THEIR PLIGHT
`THERE'S NO ROOM TONIGHT,' HE SAID,
`FOR POOR FOLK WHO CANNOT PAY
FOR THE KING OF ALL THE LAND WILL SOON PASS THIS WAY.'
SO THEY TURNED BACK TO THE NIGHT.
HAVE YOU NOT BEEN TOLD THE NEWS
THAT TONIGHT WILL PASS THIS WAY
THE MESSIAH OF THE JEWS--HE WILL COME IN FULL ARRAY
SING HOSANNAH, HOSANNAH, HOSANNAH IN EXCELSIS--OH SING
HOSANNAH TO HIS NAME.
BUT THEY SOON DID COME IN SIGHT OF A LOWLY HOUSE AHEAD
AND WERE WELCOMED BY THE LIGHT OF THEIR HUMBLE HOST WHO
SAID,
`ENTER IN AND SHARE MY ROOF. I CAN OFFER YOU THE STABLE
THERE WITH STRAW AND HAY ENOUGH. FIND YE COMFORT FOR
THE NIGHT.'
IN THAT STABLE WARM AND BRIGHT, WITH THE OXEN STANDING BY
CHRIST WAS BORN ON CHRISTMAS NIGHT
AND THE ANGELS IN THE SKY
SANG THEIR SONG WITH GLADSOME VOICE
`HALLELUJAH! PEACE ON EARTH! NOEL! LET EVERYONE REJOICE!
SING WE ALL THIS CHRISTMAS NIGHT!"
Where learned: OHIO ; CINCINNATI
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Religious Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Festival CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Songs, caroling |
Willia (Veeleea) (unsure of spelling)
This is a Polish custom that was brought over from Poland, near
Krakow. On Christmas Eve, we would eat a supper of 12 items,
including fish, pierogi, sour mushroom soup (made with dried
mushrooms), bread, butter, prunes and barley. I can't remember
what else-- except no meat. We did not get presents because we
really did not have money, so there was usually a long table set up
that had straw on it, covered by a white table cloth. Under the
straw, there were pennies, and when it was time, the children put
their hands under the straw and found as many pennies as they
could. We would then go to Christmas Eve Mass, and then go
caroling from house to house. This was the big thing years ago.
We were gone half the night, usually in a horse and buggy. We
would then go back to the house we started at, and eat the ham
which we were now allowed to eat because it was after midnight.
The money that we had gotten from under the straw we used to buy
candy. There was a candy store at the corner of 23 Mile Road, and
when we went back to school we would stop there to buy the candy.
Submitter comment:
Because of this "penny tradition," I remember that whenever my
Great Uncle Al came to Grandma's house when we were there, he
always passed out silver dollars to the children. He also did this
when my mom was a little girl. We liked it when he came over
because he gave us the silver dollars, but we could have done
without his cigars.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Mount Clemens
Date learned: 00001920'S
GERMAN CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
IN GERMANY, THREE BOYS DRESS UP LIKE THE THREE KINGS
AND THEY GO TO FARMHOUSES AND SING CHRISTMAS SONGS.
ONE BOY HAS A LONG STICK WITH A STAR ON THE TOP OF IT.
THEY COLLECT APPLES, NUTS, ETC.
Submitter comment: SHE LEARNED IT BECAUSE SHE LIVED IN GERMANY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; GERMANY ; DETROIT
Date learned: 02-07-1967
VIGILIA--KOLENDAS
THE SONGS SUNG DURING THE CHRISTMAS SEASON ARE THE
KOLENDAS. THEY ARE, IN EFFECT, POLISH CHRISTMAS CAROLS.
IN POLAND, THEY ARE SUNG ON CHRISTMAS EVE, AFTER THE
MEAL, AND SOME POEPLE FORM INTO GROUPS AND SING THEM
IN THE STREET, WALKING FROM HOUSE TO HOUSE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TAYLOR
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Songs, caroling |
Date learned: 11-27-1967
WIGILIA--TRADITIONAL POLISH CHRISTMAS EVE SUPPER
AT OUR HOME, WE STILL PRACTICE THE TRADITIONAL WAY OF
CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS EVE, "WIGILJA." IT IS A FAMILY
HOLIDAY AND THE SUPPER STARTS IN THE EVENING WHEN THE
FIRST STAR APPEARS.
THE SUPPER ITSELF CONSISTS OF 12 COURSES IN HONOR OF THE
12 APOSTLES. THE OLDEST MEMBER STARTS BY TAKING THE
"OPLATEK," A WHITE WAFER MADE OF FLOUR AND WATER, AND
BREAKS IT WITH THE NEXT OLDEST MEMBER, WISHING EACH OTHER
LUCK AND HAPPINESS. THE BREAKING OF THE WAFER AND GOOD
WISHES CONTINUE BETWEEN EVERYONE ELSE. THIS IS A
PRACTICE WE DO TO THIS DAY.
THIS FINISHED, EVERYONE SITS DOWN TO EAT. IT'S A CUSTOM
TO HAVE AN EVEN NUMBER OF PEOPLE AT THE TABLE FOR GOOD
LUCK. THERE IS AN EMPTY CHAIR LEFT AND PLACE SETTING FOR
AN ABSENT MEMBER OR FRIEND. HAY IS PLACED BENEATH THE
TABLE CLOTH IN THE CENTER OF THE TABLE IN REMEMBERANCE OF
CHRIST'S HUMBLE BIRTH.
ALL COURSES SERVED ARE MEATLESS. FIRST THERE IS HERRING,
MARINATED OR IN OLIVE OIL. NEXT IS "BARCZCY, BEET ROOT SOUP
WITH "USZKI," TINY DUMPLINGS STUFFED WITH MUSHROOMS.
THEN TWO KINDS OF FISH ARE SERVED, FRIED OR IN GELATIN
WITH HORSERADISH. THEN SAUERKRAUT WITH MUSHROOMS. NEXT
IS SERVED THE MILLET WITH PRUNES OR "KASZA JAGLONA." THEN
THERE ARE CHEESE DUMPLINGS FOLLOWED BY STEWED FRUIT OF
APPLES, PEARS, AND PRUNES. THE MEAL IS COMPLETED WITH
TEA OR COFFEE AND DIFFERENT CAKES FOR THE SEASON, SUCH AS
POPPY SEED, ALMONDS, OR COFFEE CAKE, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS
"BABKA."
AFTER SUPPER, EVERYBODY SINGS CHRISTMAS CAROLS BY THE LIT
CHRISTMAS TREE. WE BEGIN WITH "WSROD NOCNEZ CISZY," AT
MIDNIGHT'S SILENCE.. OTHER FAVORITES ARE "DZISIAJ IR
BETLEJEM"-TODAY IN BETHLEHEM, "GDY SIE CHRYSTUS RODGI,"
WHEN CHRIST IS BORN, "LULAJZE JEZUNIU," ROCK A BYE BABY
JESUS, AND "PRZYBIEZELIDO BETLEJIM POSTERZE," SHEPHERDS
COME TO BETHLEHEM.
AFTER THE CAROLS, PRESENTS ARE OPENED FROM UDNER THE TREE
AND AT MIDNIGHT THE CHRISTMAS MIDNIGHT MASS IS ATTENDED.
James Callow comment:
TRANSCRIBED FROM HANDWRITTEN 5 X 8 CARD. SPELLING MAY BE
WRONG FOR THIS REASON.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
Date learned: 10-28-1967
GERMAN CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
IN GERMANY, THREE BOYS DRESS UP LIKE THE THREE KINGS
AND THEY GO TO FARMHOUSES AND SING CHRISTMAS SONGS.
ONE BOY HAS A LONG STICK WITH A STAR ON THE TOP OF IT.
THEY COLLECT APPLES, NUTS, ETC.
Submitter comment: SHE LEARNED IT BECAUSE SHE LIVED IN GERMANY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; GERMANY ; DETROIT
Date learned: 02-07-1967
CHRISTMAS CAROLS
DURING THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS, FAMILIES, CLUBS,
ORGANIZATIONS, ETC., GO AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOODS
OF COMMUNITIES AND SING CAROLS FOR THE
BENEFIT OF THE RESIDENTS. THE RESIDENTS COME
TO THE WINDOWS AND LISTEN TO THEM.
Submitter comment: LEARNED THIS IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Songs, caroling |
Date learned: 12-01-1967
WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMAS
IN GERMANY, A WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMAS, THE CHILDREN
DRESS UP AS THE THREE WISE MEN AND GO THROUGH THE
STREETS SINGING CHRISTMAS CAROLS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Songs, caroling |
Date learned: 12-00-1967
BEFORE CHRISTMAS
THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT WE PUT OUR ADVENT WREATH
IN THE CENTER OF OUR DINNER TABLE. EACH NIGHT UNTIL
CHRISTMAS, WE LIGHT THE CANDLES (ONE THE FIRST WEEK,
TWO THE SECOND, ETC.) BEFORE DINNER AND SING THE
FIRST VERSE OF THE SONG "O COME, O COME, IMMANUEL."
THEN WE SAY GRACE. WE LEAVE THE CANDLES LIGHTED ALL
DURING THE MEAL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | 645 September 23 Equinox to December 20 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Songs, caroling |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN