Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for 686.1.1 returned 589 results.
BLESSING HOMES
IT IS A CUSTOM THAT WHEN A NEW HOUSE IS BUILT AS SOON AS THE POEPLE
MOVE IN, TO CELEBRATE A MASS WHERE THE PRIEST SPRINKLES HOLY WATER
IN EVERY ROOM OF THE HOUSE. THIS IS DONE TO PREVENT EVIL SPIRITS FROM
ENTERING.
Where learned: PUERTO RICO
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Home BELIEF -- Devil Demon |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
UNKNOWN
IF YOU KIGHT THREE CIGARETTES WITH ONE MATCH THE THIRD PERSON WILL
DIE.
Where learned: PUERTO RICO
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
POLISH BAPTISMAL CUSTOM
IT IS CUSTOMARY AMONG SOME POLISH PEOPLE TO FASHION A BAPTISMAL
DRESS FOR A FIRST BORN CHILD FROM THE WEDDING VEIL OF THE MOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 02-00-1979
POSTCARD FOR LUCK
GOOD LUCK
I PATIENTLY TUMBLED OVER
THE POSTCARDS OLD AND NEW,
TO FIND THIS FOUR LEAF CLOVER
TO SEND FOR LUCK TO YOU.
THE FIRST LEAF STANDS FOR PATIENCE
THE SECOND FOR PLUCK
THE THIRD FOR PERSEVERANCE
THAT'S WHY THE FOURTH BRINGS LUCK.
Submitter comment:
THE VERSE IS PRINTED ON THE FRONT CARD, WITH A PICTURE OF A
CLOVER.
Where learned: OHIO ; VERSE ON POSTCARD ; PAINESVILLE
Keyword(s): CHARM ; RHYME: ABABCDED
James Callow Keyword(s): AMULET ; SYMBOL
BIRTH:
IN A LUG GET-TOGETHER, PARTY OR CELEBRATION ETC., THE GREEKS SAY THE
PREGNANT WOMAN IS SUPPOSED TO GET THE FIRST TASTE OF ALL THE FOOD
GIVEN .
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): EATING NATIONALITY
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: 11-14-1969
FIRST BIRTHDAY
ON A BABY'S FIRST BIRTHDAY, PLACE A ROSARY, WHISKEY GLASS AND SOME
MONEY BEFORE HIM. WHICHEVER HE PICKS WILL BE WHAT HE BECOMES;
A PRIEST, A DRUNK, OR A WEALTHY PERSON.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT SAYS THIS WAS A PRACTICED CUSTOM AMONG HER FAMILY
Where learned: TOLD IN ; MCKENDRICK ; ANCIENT DRAMA CLASS
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOLS
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. Observation CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: 02-12-1971
CIGARS FOR BIRTH
IT IS A QUITE COMMON CUSTOM FOR A FATHER TO HAND OUT CIGARS TO HIS
FRIENDS AFTER HIS FIRST CHILD HAS BEEN BORN.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS, ASSUMED
James Callow Keyword(s): GIFT-GIVING
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: 02-22-1968
BED CHARM
MATTHEW, MARK, LUKE, AND JOHN
BLESS THE BED THAT I LIE ON
FOUR CORNERS TO MY BED
FOUR ANGELS ROUND MY HEAD
ONE AT HEAD AND ONE AT FEET
AND TWO TO GUARD MY SOUL ASLEEP.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): RHYME: AABBCC PRAYER
James Callow Keyword(s): FOUR EVANGELISTS
Date learned: 00-00-1965
IF THE 24TH OF AUGUST BE BRIGHT AND CLEAR,
IF THE FIRST WEEK OF AUGUST BE UNUSUALLY WARM,
THE WINTER WILL BE WHITE, COLD, AND LONG
THEN HOPE FOR A PROSPEROUS AUTUMN THAT YEAR.
Where learned: DETROIT, ASSUMED ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
James Callow Keyword(s): COLOR ; METONYMY: WHITE FOR SNOW ; TEMPERATURE
Date learned: 02-15-1968
TO BRING GOOD LUCK TO YOUR FUTURE ALWAYS LOOK AT THE NEW MOON OVER
YOUR LEFT SHOULDER
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. BELIEF -- Moon BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 10-00-1979
FIRSTS
ON FIRST BIRTHDAY, CLIP ALL CHILD'S HAIR SO IT WILL GROW IN THICKER.
Submitter comment: BOTH SEXES
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE
Date learned: 00001930S ; 02-16-1980
POLISH CUSTOM FOR A NEW HOUSE
THE FIRST THINGS TO ENTER A NEW HOUSE ARE A TABLE, A CROSS, AND
SOME HOLY WATER.
Submitter comment:
BRINGING THE TABLE INSURES THAT THE FAMILY WILL NEVER BE WITHOUT
FOOD. THE CROSS, REPRESENTATIVE OF RELIGION, GUARANTEES A BLESSED
LIFE. THE HOLY WATER REMOVES EVIL FROM THE HOUSE.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOLS
Date learned: 01-13-1980
BASEBALL SUPERSTITION
AT THE END OF AN INNING THE OPPOSING TEAM THROWS THE BALL TO THE
MOUND AND THE PITCHER MUST BE THE FIRST ONE TO TOUCH THE BALL. THIS
IS GOOD LUCK TO THE PITCHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: CA0001979
BELIEF IN A PRAYER CUSTOM
WHENEVER YOU WALK INTO A NEW CHURCH (ONE YOU HAVE NEVER BEEN IN
BEFORE), YOU SHOULD SAY 3 OUR FATHERS, 3 HAIL MARYS, 3 GLORY BES AND
MAKE A WISH.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT PRACTICES THIS AND CLAIMS THAT ALL HIS WISHES HAVE COME
TRUE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Church BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 01-31-1980
WHEN YOU SEE THE FIRST ROBIN OF SPRING, LICK YOUR THUMB, RUB IT ON
THE OPPOSITE FIST AND BANG THEM TOGETHER. THEN MAKE A WISH.
Submitter comment: 1 HE LEARNED THIS IN GERMANY
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TROY
Date learned: 00-00-1950
IF A MALE IS THE FIRST VISITOR AFTER TWELVE MIDNIGHT, NEW YEARS DAY,
IT MEANS GOOD LUCK WILL BE WITH YOU FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR. IF THE
FIRST VISITOR IS A FEMALE, IT MEANS YOU WILL HAVE BAD LUCK FOR THE
REST OF THE YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BERKELEY
Date learned: 00-00-1950
IF YOU STEP ON THE "M" ON CENTRAL CAMPUS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF
MICHIGAN BEFORE YOUR FIRST EXAM, YOU WILL FAIL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: CA00001979
KWANZA
KWANZA IS AN AFRICAN HOLIDAY. IT IS CELEBRATED
DECEMBER 26 THROUGH JANUARY 1. IT IS AN EVENT WHICH
IS CELEBRATED ANNUALLY AND IS BASED ON AFRICAN
HARVEST CELEBRATIONS. KWANZA MEANS THE FIRST FRUIT.
THE PURPOSE OF KWANZA IS THE THANKING OF OUR ANCESTORS
IN ORDER TO INSURE A GOOD HARVEST FOR THE ENSUING YEAR.
DURING THE HARVEST CELEBRATIONS, THERE ARE
FEASTING, DRUMMING AND DANCING. STORY_TELLING
IS HEARD. FAMILY TIES ARE STRENGTHENED
AND ENCOURAGED.
MOST HOLIDAYS HAVE SYMBOLS WHICH ARE IDENTIFIABLE
WITH A PARTICULAR CELEBRATION. KWANZA DOES ALSO.
THE SYMBOLS OF KWANZA ARE: MEKA (STRAW) THE MHUMA (CANDLE),
ZAWADI (GIFTS) AND MAHINDI (CORN). THE CORN
REPRESESENTS ALL THE CHILDREN IN THE HOUSEHOLD.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST, THERE IS THE KIKOMBE (UNITY CUP).
COMMUNITIES AND HOMES ARE DECORATED, HOWEVER, EMPHASIS
IS ON THE USE OF NATURAL THINGS.
THE COLORS OF RED, GREEN AND BLACK ARE USED.
THEY ALSO SYMBOLIZES THE BLOOD SHED BY AFRICANS
IN THE STRUGGLE FOR FREEDOM AND PEACE.
THESE COLORS REPRESENTS BLOOD, LAND AND COLOR.
BLACK IS FOR THE AFRICAN SKIN COLOR. GREEN IS FOR FERTILITY.
EMPHASIS IS PLACED UPON THE CHILDREN WHO RECEIVE
MOST OF THE GIFTS AND ARE ASKED TO MAKE A COMMITMENT.
A CHILD MIGHT ASK FOR BETTER GRADES IN SCHOOL.
IF THE CHILD GRADES HAS IMPROVED CONSIDERABLY, HE IS REWARDED.
THE REWARDS ARE CLOTHING, EXTRA FOOD OR A VISIT OUT OF TOWN.
TRADITIONALLY, THE STRENTH OF THE AFRICAN FAMILY
HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE FAMILY. BECAUSE OF THIS, THE FAMILY
IS THE FOCAL POINT OF THE CELEBRATION.
Submitter comment:
THE MEANING OF THE WORD FAMILY HERE CONSIST OF
THE FATHER, MOTHER, CHILDREN, AUNTS AND UNCLES.
FAMILY MEANS THE EXTENDED FAMILY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
NAMING OF CHILDREN
IN MOST GREEK FAMILIES, THE FIRST BORN CHILD IS NAMED
AFTER THE FATHER'S PARENTS, DEPENDING ON IF IT IS A
BOY OR A GIRL. CHILDREN BORN AFTER THE FIRST CHILD
WILL BE NAMED AFTER ITS REMAINING GRANDPARENTS. IF THE
PARENTS HAVE MORE THAN FOUR CHILDREN, THEN THEY WILL BE
NAMED AFTER UNCLES AND AUNTS.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A TRADITION THAT HAS BEEN GOING ON IN GREEK
FAMILIES FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS. IT HAS BEEN PASSED
ON FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION, AND IT WILL
CONTINUE IN THE YEARS TO COME.
THIS IS A GREEK-AMERICAN CUSTOM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | Person / Nickname 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Baptism Naming rite |
Date learned: CA00001962
GOOD LUCK IN RESTAURANTS
ON NEW YEAR'S DAY, A NEW ONE DOLLAR BILL IS PLACED
ON THE WALL OF THE RESTAURANT. IT REMAINS ON THE
WALL UNTIL THE NEXT YEAR, WHEN A NEW ONE DOLLAR
BILL IS PUT UP.
Submitter comment:
BY DOING THIS, THE RESTAURANT WILL HAVE GOOD LUCK
ALL YEAR, AS WELL AS GOOD BUSINESS. GOOD FOOD AND
GOOD SERVICE WILL PREVAIL ALL YEAR ROUND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT