The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

FESTIVAL OF DIWALI

ALSO CALLED FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS, AND IS CELEBRATED IN
NOVEMBER. IT COMMEMORATES A RELIGIOUS MYTH CONCERNING
THE GOD SHIVA AND HIS WIFE, THE GODDESS KALI, WHO THE
PEOPLE WORSHIP IN A SPECIAL WAY AT THIS TIME.
KALI MARRIES SHIVA WHO LIVES IN THE MOUNTAINS CALLED
KAILASH. KALI RETURNS TO VISIT HER FAMILY WHERE
EVERYONE IS MAKING FUN OF HER HUSBAND WHO THEY SAY
LIVES NAKED IN THE MOUNTAINS AND MEDITATES ALL THE
TIME. THEY ASK HER OF WHAT GOOD IS HE AND WHY DID
SHE MARRY HIM.
KALI FINALLY COMMITS SUICIDE AND HER HUSBAND, SHIVA,
ON FINDING HER, PUTS HIS WIFE'S BODY ON HIS SHOULDERS,
AND ENRAGED, HE DANCES THE DANCE OF DESTRUCTION. THE
PEOPLE BEG ANOTHER GOD, VISHNU, TO HELP THEM AND TO PUT
AN END TO ALL OF THE DESTRUCTION. HE TELLS THEM THAT
THEY MUST REMOVE THE WIFE'S BODY FROM SHIVA'S
SHOULDERS.
VISHNU, USING A MAGIC WEAPON, DESTROYS THE WIFE'S BODY
BY CUTTING IT INTO MANY PIECES AND WHERE EACH OF THOSE
PIECES FELL, A TEMPLE WAS BUILT TO MARK THE PLACE
AND TO WORSHIP HER.
UPON THE REMOVAL OF HIS WIFE, THE GOD SHIVA REGAINED
HIS SENSES AND THEN DANCED THE DANCE OF CREATION.
PEOPLE CELEBRATE THE OCCASION BY NUMEROUS AND SPLENDID
FIREWORKS AND LIGHT UP THEIR HOUSES INSIDE AND OUTSIDE
WITH CANDLES. THE WHOLE CITY APPEARS TO BE LIT UP.

Data entry tech comment: OCTOBER-NOVEMBER (KARTIKA)--SPICER, "BOOK OF FESTIVALS,"
KC[ P. 161, KATHY LOESER.
CN[ TYNAN, ANDREA

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; INDIA ; CALCUTTA

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

View just this record

INDIAN FEAST

IN OCTOBER, THE FEAST OF PUJA IN WHICH THE YOUNG GIRLS
MAKE THEIR OWN DOLLS AND EXHIBIT THEM FOR THEIR FRIENDS.
THIS SYMBOLIZES THE VICTORY OF GOOD WINNING OVER THE
DEMON. THIS IS NOT A FIXED DATE, BECAUSE THE INDIAN
CALENDAR IS BASED UPON THE LUNAR CALENDAR.

Data entry tech comment: SEPT.-OCT. (ASVINA), SPICER, "BOOK OF FESTIVALS," P. 161,
KC[ KATHY LOESER.
CN[ BOWMAN, GILBERT

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 02-29-1968

View just this record

FESTIVAL OF DURGA PUJA

THE FESTIVAL IS CELEBRATED IN OCTOBER AND IS BASED ON
AN ANCIENT RELIGIOUS MYTH.
ONCE THERE WAS A DEMON (REPRESENTING EVIL) WHO WAS
CAUSING TERRIBLE DESTRUCTION AND SICKNESS THROUGHOUT
THE WORLD. A GODDESS WITH TEN ARMS APPEARED RIDING
ON THE BACK OF A LION AND KILLED THE DEMON WITH A SPEAR.
MEANING: GOOD OVERCOMES EVIL.
THE PEOPLE OF BENGAL CELEBRATE THE OCCASION BY BUILDING
AN IDOL OF THIS GODDESS IN EACH NEIGHBORHOOD, ABOUT
12 TO 20 FEET HIGH OUT OF CLAY. THEY WORSHIP THE IDOL
BY CARRYING A PLATE CONTAINING CANDLES TO HER (THE
PLATE IS CALLED "ARATI"). AFTER FIVE DAYS OF FESTIVI-
TIES, THE IDOLS ARE TOTED TO A RIVER AND DUMPED IN TO
SYMBOLIZE THAT THE GODDESS HAS RETURNED TO HEAVEN
AFTER KILLING THE DEMON.

Data entry tech comment: SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER (ASVINA). SPICER-"BOOK OF FESTIVALS,"
P. 161, KATHY LOESER.
CN[ TYNAN, ANDREA

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; INDIA ; CALCUTTA

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

View just this record

ON HALLOWEEN, I REMEMBER MY BROTHERS GOING OUT AND COLLECTING TWIGS,
BRANCHES, FLOWERS, ETC. THESE THEY TOOK OUT AT NIGHT AND WOULD PUT ON THE WINDOW SILLS
OF THEIR GIRLFRIENDS' HOUSES.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 10-07-1972

View just this record

CUSTOMS

ON HALLOWEEN IN GREECE, THE KIDS GO FROM DOOR TO DOOR
KISSING THE HANDS OF THE GROWN-UPS. THEY THEN RECEIVE A
FEW PENNIES IN RETURN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALLEN PARK

James Callow Keyword(s): GIFT-GIVING

Date learned: 10-02-1972

View just this record