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 F663.12.5 returned 68 results.
EASTER MONDAY
THE DAY AFTER EASTER WAS CALLED "DYNGUS DAY" OR "SWITCHING DAY."
THE MONDAY AFTER EASTER THE BOYS WOULD SWITCH THE GIRLS OR IN OTHER
WORDS THEY WOULD HIT THEM ON THE LEGS WITH A SWITCH OR A PIECE OF
STICK. IF THE BOY CAUGHT YOU AND SWITCHED YOU, YOU HAD TO GIVE HIM
SOME CANDY OR AN APPLE OR HERE IN AMERICA SOME MONEY. THE NEXT
DAY, TUESDAY, IT WAS THE GIRL'S TURN TO SWITCH THE BOYS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; informant's home
Keyword(s): DYNGUS DAY ; EASTER GIFTS ; FOOD CUSTOM ; HEALTH ; REVENGE ; RITUAL WHIPPING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Tuesday Revenge Day |
Date learned: 03-11-1970
DYNGUS DAY
ACCORDING TO OLD POLISH CUSTOM, ON EASTER MONDAY, ALL YOUNG POLISH
BOYS ARE ALLOWED TO TEASE GIRLS AND SWITCH THEM LIGHTLY WITH A
BRANCH OR TWIG ETC. THIS IS A SIGN OF SPRING AND A YOUNG BOY
BECOMING INTERESTED IN GIRLS.
Submitter comment:
IT IS A CUSTOM IN INFORMANT'S FAMILY ALSO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): DYNGUS DAY ; RITUAL WHIPPING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus |
SWITCH DAY
THE DAY AFTER EASTER IS KNOWN AS SWITCH DAY (DIENGUS) AMONG POLES.
ON THIS DAY BOYS BUY RED SWITCHES AND ARE ALLOWED TO TRY AND
"SWITCH" THE GIRLS. IF THEY SUCCEED, THE GIRLS MUST TAKE THEM HOME
FOR DINNER, WHERE THE GIRLS' FATHERS SEE THAT THE BOYS HAVE ALL THEY
WANT TO EAT AND DRINK. THE DAY AFTER THIS, THE SITUATION IS
REVERSED AND THE GIRLS GET TO SWITCH THE BOYS THEN TAKE THEM HOME
FOR DINNER.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS STILL A CUSTOM PRACTICED IN HAMTRAMCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): DYNGUS DAY ; FOOD CUSTOM ; REVENGE ; RITUAL WHIPPING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Tuesday Revenge Day |
Date learned: 04-10-1967
CUSTOM
ON THE DAY AFTER EASTER, THE POLISH CHILDREN WOULD GO FROM HOUSE TO
HOUSE KNOCKING ON THE DOORS. THE PEOPLE INVITED THEM INSIDE
WHERE ONE OF THE CHILDREN WOULD BRUSH THE PERSON ACROSS THE ANKLES
WITH A SWITCH WHILE THE OTHERS RECITED A SPECIAL GROUP OF WORDS.
WHEN THEY WERE FINISHED, THE OWNER OF THE HOUSE WOULD GIVE THEM
A BLESSED EGG, A PIECE OF CANDY, OR IN MOST CASES, MONEY.
THIS WAS CALLED DINGUS DAY, THE NAME DERIVED FROM THE WORDS RECITED;
DINGUS, DINGUS, PODINGUS...
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share the same surname.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; TAYLOR
Keyword(s): EASTER GIFTS ; RITUAL SPEECH ; RITUAL WHIPPING
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Custom Festival C840.663 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus |
Date learned: 11-27-1967
AFTER-EASTER CUSTOM
DYNGUS DAY (SWITCH DAY)--ON EASTER MONDAY, BOYS IN CERTAIN POLISH
VILLAGES WILL SWITCH GIRLS THEY LIKE ON THE LEGS WITH A WILLOW
BRANCH, AND THEN WILL POUR A LITTLE WATER ON THEIR LEGS TO TEASE
THEM; SORT OF A COUNTERPART TO OUR SADIE HAWKINS DAY.
Where learned: OVER THE TELEPHONE
Keyword(s): DYNGUS DAY ; RITUAL WHIPPING ; WATER
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus |
Date learned: 11-02-1971
YUGOSLAVIAN EASTER CUSTOM
ON EASTER MONDAY, CROATIAN CHILDREN WOULD GO FROM HOUSE TO HOUSE
CARRYING AN ORANGE, AND THEIR NEIGHBORS WOULD STICK DIMES OR NICKELS
INTO THE ORANGE FOR GOOD HEALTH.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share the same surname and residence.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; informant's home
Keyword(s): BEGGING ; EASTER GIFTS ; FOOD CUSTOM ; HEALTH
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: (VARIOUS DATES)
CUSTOM
ON THE MONDAY AFTER EASTER THE FARMERS BLESSED THE FOUR CORNERS
OF THEIR LAND WITH HOLY WATER.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; TAYLOR
Keyword(s): SYMBOL: FOUR CORNERS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus BELIEF -- Prayer BELIEF -- Number |
Date learned: 11-27-1967
ON EASTER MONDAY, TO PROTECT THE CHILDREN OF THE HOUSE FROM EVIL, IT
IS ADVISABLE TO WRITE THE INITIALS OF THE THREE WISE MEN
OVER THE HOUSE DOOR.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share the same surname.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
Keyword(s): SYMBOLS: INITIALS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus BELIEF -- Word Letter |
Date learned: 10-25-1969
ITALIAN EASTER MONDAY CUSTOM
THE ITALIANS BELIEVE THAT EATING JUST BREAD AND DRINKING JUST WATER
ON THE MONDAY AFTER EASTER SUNDAY FOR SEVEN YEARS WILL BRING
BLESSINGS.
Submitter comment:
[INFORMANT] RELATED THAT HE TRIED IT FOR FOUR YEARS AND GAVE UP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM ; SELF-SACRIFICE--FASTING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus BELIEF -- Number BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 11-17-1968
POLISH EASTER MONDAY CUSTOM
EVERYONE GIVES FOOD TO EVERYONE ELSE FOR FERTILITY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; STUDENT UNION BUILDING ; told at work
Keyword(s): EASTER GIFTS ; FOOD CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus |
Date learned: 11-25-1969
EASTER CELEBRATIONS
A POLISH CUSTOM IS THAT ON THE DAY AFTER EASTER IF A
BOY CATCHES A GIRL SHE MUST GIVE HIM ONE OF HER EGGS. SHE MAY
CHALLENGE HIM FOR THAT EGG. THIS IS DONE BY THE HITTING OF THE
TWO EGGS TOGETHER. IF HER EGG DOESN'T BREAK THEN SHE GETS HIS EGG.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector are the same person.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GRAND RAPIDS
Keyword(s): GAME
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter eggs CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
HOLIDAY
CHAMELNEISM IS A HOLIDAY CELEBRATED THE MONDAY AFTER EASTER IN
EGYPT. IT IS THE ONLY FEAST THAT EVERYONE CELEBRATES TOGETHER.
IT USED TO BE A NATIONAL HOLIDAY.
PEOPLE WAKE UP VERY EARLY AND GO TO THE NILE AND FEAST. BESIDES LOTS
OF OTHER FOOD, EVERYONE MUST EAT ONIONS, EGGS AND SALTED FISH,
THE DATE IS SET ACCORDING TO THE COPTIC EASTER WHICH USUALLY
FALLS AFTER THE LAST FULL MOON OF FEBRUARY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals |
Date learned: 02-00-1972
EASTER CUSTOM
FROM EASTER DAY TO ASCENSION IT IS CUSTOMARY TO GREET PEOPLE
WITH "KRISTOS VOSKRESE}" (CHRIST IS RISEN).
TO WHICH ONE WOULD ANSWER
"VOISTYNU VOSKRES}" (HE IS TRULY RISEN}).
Submitter comment:
THIS GREETING HAS BEEN PASSED DOWN FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION.
THIS IS HOW THE COLLECTOR CAME ACROSS THE GREETING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
CUSTOM
ON DYNGUS DAY, THE MONDAY AFTER EASTER, MEN SWITCH WOMEN'S LEGS
WITH A TREE BRANCH. ON TUESDAY, ALSO CALLED DYNGUS DAY, WOMEN
SWITCH MEN'S LEGS.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A POLISH CUSTOM. THE INFORMANT SAID FRIENDS SWITCHED
EACH OTHER. AFTER SWITCHING, THE SWITCHER EXPECTED A DRINK.
THIS CUSTOM HAS NOT TAKEN PLACE FOR MANY YEARS. THE INFORMANT
SAID IT LAST HAPPENED TO HER MOTHER. A FRIEND SWITCHED HER LEGS
WHILE SHE WAS WASHING DISHES AND SHE POURED A GLASS OF COLD
WATER DOWN HIS BACK FOR REVENGE.
THIS IS A LIMITED FORM OF RITUAL BEATING OR RITUAL WHIPPING, A
SYMBOLIC GESTURE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus |
EASTERTIDE
ON THE DAY AFTER EASTER A BOY WILL MAKE A BRAID OUT OF RIBBON, AND
THEN HE GOES TO THE GIRL OF HIS CHOICE, AND SHE'LL TWIRL AROUND IN
FRONT OF HIM, AS HE HITS HER WITH THE BRAID.
THIS SEEMS TO BE ENJOYED BY EVERYONE IN THE VILLAGE
Submitter comment:
POLAND. SHE LIVED IN A SMALL VILLAGE OUTSIDE OF WARSAW.
MY INFORMANT LEARNED ABOUT THIS CUSTOM WHEN SHE WAS A SMALL GIRL IN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE
James Callow Keyword(s): RITUAL WHIPPING
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus |
ENTERTAINMENT
DYNGUS DAY IS CELEBRATED ON EASTER MONDAY. YOUNG MEN TAKE BRANCHES
TO SWITCH THE LADIES' LEGS AND GET PAILS OF WATER TO POUR ON THE
LADIES THEY LIKE. RECENTLY, ESPECIALLY IN THE CITIES, THEY CHANGED
FROM USING WATER TO COLOGNE.
Submitter comment:
THIS CUSTOM IS POPULAR IN POLAND AND STILL IS FOLLOWED IN DETROIT
AND ITS SUBURBS.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus |
EASTERTIDE
THERE IS A PROCESSION AT SUNRISE ON EASTER MONDAY CALLED THE
RESURRECTION. EVERYONE MARCHES AROUND THE CHURCH THREE TIMES
CARRYING CANDLES AND PICTURES OF THE VIRGIN MARY, JESUS, AND THE
PATRON OF THE CHURCH.
Submitter comment: THIS CUSTOM IS OBSERVED IN POLAND.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 686.1 Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus |
Date learned: 04-02-1979
MOVEABLE DATE
TO THE POLISH THE DAY AFTER EASTER IS "DINGUS DAY". BOYS HIT THE
GIRLS WITH SWITCHES IF THEY LIKE THEM.
Submitter comment: MRS. KOBERT IS NOT AWARE OF THIS OCCURING TO DATE IF IT IS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
James Callow Keyword(s): RITUAL WHIPPING.
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus |
Date learned: 00001920S ; 02-16-1980
DYNGUS DAY
ON EASTER MONDAY, YOUNG BOYS TAKE THE BRANCHES OF PUSSYWILLOWS
(DYNGUS) AND SWITCH YOUNG GIRLS WITH THE BRANCHES.
Submitter comment:
SOME FAMILIES PAY THE BOYS SO THE BOYS WILL NOT SWITCH THEIR
DAUGHTERS. SOME FAMILIES PAY THE BOYS TO SWITCH THEIR
DAUGHTERS. SOME FAMILIES HAVE GIVEN UP THIS PRACTICE.
PERSONALLY, THE INFORMANT HAS GIVEN UP THIS PRACTICE. HOWEVER, AS
OF 1980, SHE KNOWS OF INDIVIDUALS WHO PERSIST IN SWITCHING
YOUNG GIRLS.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): POLISH
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus |
Date learned: CA00001890S ; 01-13-1980
"DINGUS DAY" - IT IS THE DAY AFTER EASTER, WHEN BOYS GO AROUND TO
FRIENDS AND RELATIVES WHERE THERE ARE GIRLS IN THEIR OWN AGE GROUP
AND WHIP THEM UNTIL THEIR MOTHER GIVES THE BOYS A PIECE OF THE
BLESSED FOOD. THE SECOND DAY AFTER EASTER, THEY REVERSE THIS CUSTOM
SO THAT THE GIRLS GET THE BLESSED FOOD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BERKELEY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Tuesday Revenge Day |
Date learned: 00-00-1950