Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for P425 returned 237 results.
GOOD FRIDAYS
MY MOTHER, ON GOOD FRIDAY, USED TO TAKE HER BROOM
AND SWISH IT AROUND THE HOUSE TO RID IT OF EVIL SPIRITS.
SHE EVEN SHOOK THE BROOM IN THE CLOSETS. SHE USED TO MUTTER
SOMETHING IN SICILIAN AS SHE DID IT, A CURSE; THE LAST WORD
OF WHICH WAS A SWEAR WORD.
Submitter comment: INFORMANTS MOTHER IMMIGRATED FROM SICILY AS A YOUNG GIRL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEWOOD MANOR ; ROSEVILLE
Subject headings: | 663 Good Friday Favorites BELIEF -- Devil Demon |
WHEN IT IS THUNDERING AND LIGHTENING AND RAINING AT THE SAME TIME
THIS MEANS THE DEVIL IS BEATING HIS WIFE.
Where learned: DETROIT
Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Sign or prediction through Spiritual beings, things, or places BELIEF -- Sign or prediction through Natural atmospheric phenomenon |
Date learned: 12-00-1972
WEATHER BELIEF
IF IT'S RAINING OUT AND THE SUN IS SHINING, THE DEVIL IS BEATING HIS
WIFE BEHIND THE DOOR. INFORMANT SAID HER PARENTS WOULD TELL HER
THIS ANY TIME SHE ASKED THEM WHY THE SUN WOULD SHINE EVEN THOUGH IT
WAS RAINING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Sun BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew |
Date learned: 11-06-1972
LOVE
A DANISH SUPERSTITION SAYS THAT LOVE FOR ONE'S WIFE SHOULD NOT
BE TOLD SO THE DEVIL CAN'T HEAR ABOUT IT AND DO HER HARM.
Submitter comment: THIS IS THE REASON WHY HUSBANDS CALL WIVES "MY OLD LADY" ECT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Love BELIEF -- Devil Demon |
Date learned: 10-25-1972
IT IS A CUSTOM TO SAY "GOD BLESS YOU" IMMEDIATELY AFTER SOMEONE
SNEEZES. THIS "BLESSING" CATCHES THE DEVIL (WHO CAME OUT WITH
THE SNEEZE) BEFORE HE HAS A CHANCE TO GET BACK INTO THE BODY OF THE
PERSON.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Devil Demon SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00001965-1966 CA
SPIRIT IN HER SHOES
THEODORA HAYNES WAS MARYLOU'S ROOMMATE AT WESTERN MICHIGAN
UNIVERSITY
BEFORE GOING TO BED, SHE WOULD PLACE HER SHOES UNDER THE BED SO
NO SPIRIT COULD COME DURING THE NIGHT TO COMMAND HER SOUL,
HER. {SIC} /THEODORA WAS 18, A BLACK-AMERICAN AND SINGLE
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): MAGICAL OBJECT AMULET ; NEGRO
Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color |
HORSESHOES
NEVER HANG A HORSESHOE UPSIDE DOWN BECAUSE IT REPRESENTS THE
DEVIL'S HORNS.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN ;
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION ; SYMBOL
Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Circle and other round forms |
Date learned: CA1963-1975
DEVIL'S NIGHT
ON DEVIL'S NIGHT RING DOORBELLS AND SOAP WINDOWS
TO SHOW YOUR RESPECT FOR THE DEVIL'S POWER.
Where learned: HOME ; SCHOOL ; MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F103 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- September 23 equinox to December 20 Also used for Advent. BELIEF -- Devil Demon |
Date learned: CA1963-1975
BELIEF
A PRAYING MANTIS IS AN AGENT OF THE DEVIL. IT MAY SPIT IN YOUR
EYE AND BLIND YOU IF ANNOYED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Insect BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal P477.11 |
Date learned: 02-02-1970
BANSHEE
IRISH: WHENEVER A BANSHEE (DEVIL) APPEARED THIS BECAME AN OMEN OF A
DEATH OF A FRIEND OR RELATIVE. THE BANSHEE IS USUALLY A BEAUTIFUL 6 INCH WOMAN.
James Callow comment: BANSHEES ARE NOT USUALLY EQUALLED WITH DEVILS
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal P477.4 BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
SUPERSTITION
IT IS BELIEVED IN EL SALVADOR THAT THE DEVIL TAKES THE FORM OF A
DOG OR A FOX AND WEARS A CAPE. HE LIVES IN OLD HOUSES, AND WARM
CHIMNEY CORNERS OR WHEREVER IT IS DARK. HE PESTERS PEOPLE, MOVES
THINGS, LOSES AND MISPLACES THINGS. HE IS INVISIBLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMALS
Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Devil Demon |
Date learned: 02-04-1968
DEVIL BELIEF
IN HAITI, AT NIGHT, ONE MUST BE GOOD TO THE DEVIL, AND EVEN TALK
TO HIM, SO AS TO AVOID THE DEVILS WRATH, WHICH USUALLY IS
STRANGULATION OF THE PERSON BY THE DEVIL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Devil Demon |
Date learned: 00-00-1969
SUPERSTITION
IF YOU LOOK INTO A MIRROR, YOU WILL SEE THE DEVIL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): CONJURATION
Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Devil Demon |
Date learned: 10-25-1969
POLISH SUPERSTITION
IF YOU GO TO A DANCE DURING LENT, YOU WILL DANCE WITH THE DEVIL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION
Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal P477.8 |
Date learned: 10-25-1969
BELIEF, DEVIL
THE LORD'S PRAYER SAID BACKWARDS IS A PRAYER TO SATAN. IF ONE
FIRMLY BELIEVES IN WHAT HE IS SAYING, THE DEVIL WILL APPEAR
IN SOME FORM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GRAND RAPIDS
James Callow Keyword(s): CONJURATION
Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
DEVIL WORKING
IF THE SUN COMES OUT WHILE IT IS RAINING, IT MEANS THE DEVIL IS
BEATING HIS WIFE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): PUNISHMENT
Date learned: 11-17-1969
BELIEF
IF YOU STEP ON A CRACK IN THE SIDEWALK, YOU BREAK THE DEVIL'S
DISHES.
Submitter comment: HEARD IN NEW YORK AS A BOY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 09-22-1970
CUSTOM PROTECTING AGAINST DEVIL
WHEN YOU SNEEZE, THE DEVIL CAN ENTER YOUR MOUTH IF SOMEONE DOES
NOT SAY GOD BLESS YOU.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
MIRROR
WHEN YOU LOOK IN A MIRROR IN CHURCH, YOU WILL SEE THE DEVIL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Devil Demon |
DEVIL BELIEF
WHISTLING IN THE HOUSE BRINGS OUT THE DEVIL.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal P477.8 |