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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

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HAIR BELIEF

IN MEXICO ITS A CUSTOM FOR CHILDREN NOT TO GET THEIR HAIRCUT FOR THE
FIRST YEAR OF THEIR LIFE OR THEY'LL GO BLIND.

Submitter comment: A BELIEF OF SABINAS MEXICO AND THE INFORMANT PRACTICED IT ON HER CHIL
DREN (THE COLLECTOR INCLUDED). THE INFORMANT DOES'NT BELLIEVE THE
CHILDREN WILL GO BLIND BUT PRACTICES IT BECAUSE IT'S TRADITION.
CHILDREN

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually.
Favorites
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Private birthday or anniversary
BELIEF -- Body part Senses
BELIEF -- Measure of time Year
BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness
BELIEF -- Bad luck

Date learned: 11-00-1981

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BAD LUCK BIRTH

CHILDREN BORN DURING AN ECLIPSE WILL BE DEFORMED

Submitter comment: A BELIEF OF SABINAS, HIDALGO MEXICO; BUT THE INFORMANT, WHO WAS RAI
SED THERE, EXPRESSED LITTLE FAITH IN IT.
RAISED

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: Observation
BELIEF -- Sun
BELIEF -- Moon
BELIEF -- Birth
BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness
BELIEF -- Bad luck

Date learned: 11-00-1981

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FOOD BELIEF

MILK IS NOT TO BE DRANK WITH A MEAL HAVING AVOCADO: YOU'LL HAVE BAD
LUCK.

Submitter comment: COLLECTOR WAS TOLD THIS IN SABINAS MEXICO IN MID 1970'S.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: Food Drink -- Plant food Fruit
Food Drink -- Drink from animal product Milk
BELIEF -- Bad luck

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SUPERSTITOUS BELIEF

IT IS CONSIDERED BAD LUCK TO PASS SOMEONE ON THE STAIRS. YOU HAVE
TO WAIT UNTIL THE OTHER PERSON IS UP OR DOWN THE STAIRS BEFORE YOU
CAN USE THEM.

Submitter comment: LAURA LEARNED THIS FROM HER GRANDMOTHER, AGNUS SYLVAIN, WHO IS 83
YEARS OLD.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Mount Clemens

James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Bad luck

Date learned: 10-00-1981

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CREOLE BELIEF

BROKEN MIRROR IS SEVEN YEARS OF BAD LUCK

Where learned: CALIFORNIA ; BREAUX BRIDGE ; LOS ANGELES

Subject headings: 686 Seven / Sevenths / Several
BELIEF -- Measure of time Year
BELIEF -- Bad luck

Date learned: 00-00-1930

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CREOLE BELIEF

DO NOT WALK OVER A BROOM, BECAUSE IT IS BAD LUCK.

Where learned: CALIFORNIA ; BREAUX BRIDGE ; LOS ANGELES

James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Bad luck

Date learned: 00-00-1930

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CREOLE BELIEF

DON'T SWEEP DIRT OUTSIDE AFTER DARK BECAUSE IT'S BAD LUCK.

Where learned: CALIFORNIA ; BREAUX BRIDGE ; LOS ANGELES

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour
BELIEF -- Measure of time Working
BELIEF -- Bad luck

Date learned: 00-00-1930

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CREOLE BELIEF

DO NOT PUT A MAN'S HAT ON THE BED OR YOU WILL HAVE BAD LUCK.

Where learned: CALIFORNIA ; BREAUX BRIDGE ; LOS ANGELES

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Bad luck

Date learned: 00-00-1931

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IF A SOLDIER ENTERS YOUR HOME, YOU MUST BE HOSPITABLE
AND GRANT EVERY WISH THEY DESIRE IN ORDER TO RETAIN GOOD LUCK
IN THE HOME. THIS BROUGHT GOOD LUCK IF DONE CORRECTLY.
IF NOT FOLLOWED THROUGH, MISFORTUNE MAY OCCUR TO MALE MEMBERS
OF THE FAMILY.

Submitter comment: THIS BELIEF WAS HELD BY INFORMANT'S GRANDMOTHER
DURING 1940-1941 WHEN ENGLAND WAS IN WWII ALONE WITHOUT
THE AID OF THE UNITED STATES.

Where learned: COLLECTED BY MAIL ; COOKHAM RISE ; BERKSHIRE

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- B439
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535
BELIEF -- Legend
BELIEF -- Good luck
BELIEF -- Bad luck

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WHEN AN UNFAMILIAR GUEST ENTERS YOUR HOME, YOU
MUST HAVE FRESH FLOWERS IN THE HOUSE. THIS CUSTOM
ENSURED A HAPPY VISIT FOR BOTH PARTIES.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: CANADA ; COLLECTED BY MAIL ; MONTREAL

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; CUSTOM ; FLOWERS ; Guest ; HOSPITALITY ; SUPERSTITION ; tradition

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: 00-00-1970

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BAD LUCK

BREAKING A MIRROR IS SEVEN YEARS BAD LUCK.

Where learned: OHIO ; CONTINENTAL

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Bad luck

Date learned: 00001909-00001919 CHILDHOOD, 00001922-00001929, TEEN AGE YEARS

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BAD LUCK

SPILLING SALT IS BAD LUCK.

Where learned: OHIO ; CONTINENTAL

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Bad luck

Date learned: 00001909-00001919 CHILDHOOD, 00001922-00001929, TEEN AGE YEARS

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SERBIAN CHRISTMAS CUSTOM

THE SERBIAN COMMUNITY OF DUQUESNE, PENNSYLVANIA OBSERVED
THE RUSSIAN ORTHODOX 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS BY SPREADING
STRAW ON THE FLOOR, THE KITCHEN TABLE, AND THROUGHOUT THE
KITCHEN TO REPRESENT JESUS' MANGER. A BURNING CANDLE WAS
PLACED ON THE TABLE AND IT WAS CONSIDERED BAD LUCK FOR THE
ENTIRE YEAR IF THE CANDLE WENT OUT. MY MOTHER WITNESSED
THE PRACTICE IN DUQUESNE, PENNSYLVANIA AROUND 1947.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT'S MOTHER'S NAME IS MARY MORSILLO GINGERICH,
BORN OCTOBER 3, 1937, FARRELL, PENNSYLVANIA.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK

Subject headings: Observation
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- 39815
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- 39816
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 4
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 5
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F122
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 28 Holy Innocents
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 26 Boxing Day St. Stephen's Day
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below.
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F122
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F123
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Lights and candles
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Straw
BELIEF -- Measure of time Year
BELIEF -- Good luck
BELIEF -- Bad luck

Date learned: 09-00-1982

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IF YOU BREAK A GLASS, YOU WILL HAVE SEVEN YEARS OF BAD LUCK IF YOU
DON'T BURY THE BROKEN GLASS.

Submitter comment: WATCH FOR THE ACCIDENT ELEMENT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: 686 686.1
BELIEF -- Bad luck
BELIEF -- Conversions

Date learned: 09-19-1982

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UKRAINIAN BELIEF

WHEN A BIRD HITS THE WINDOW, SOMETHING BAD IS
GOING TO HAPPEN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

Subject headings: Observation
BELIEF -- Bird
BELIEF -- Bad luck

Date learned: 03-00-1983

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WEST GERMAN DATING AND COURTSHIP CUSTOM.

IN PIRMENSENS, WHEN A GIRL DATES A BOY SHE NEVER
BRINGS HIM TO HER HOUSE NOR DOES SHE INTRODUCE HIM
TO ANY OF HER FAMILY MEMBERS. THE BOY AND GIRL MUST
MEET AT A RENDEVOUS AND GO OUT FROM THERE. IF THE
BOY MEETS ANY OF THE GIRL'S FAMILY BEFORE THEY ARE
ENGAGED, IT IS BELIEVED TO BRING BAD LUCK AND THE TWO
WILL NEVER MARRY.

Submitter comment: LISE REALLY BELIEVES THIS. SHE IS MY MOTHER AND
DOES NOT ALLOW DATES TO COME TO OUR HOUSE UNLESS I
AM ENGAGED TO THE GUY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: Favorites
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage
BELIEF -- Marriage
BELIEF -- Bad luck

Date learned: 00001970S

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NO ONE SHOULD OUT DRESS OR LOOK MORE RADIANT THAN THE
BRIDE AT A WEDDING. THE BRIDE SHOULD BE THE ONLY PERSON
WHO SHOULD LOOK REALLY GOOD. IF SOMEONE OUT DOES THE
BRIDE THEN THEY WILL HAVE BAD LUCK.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage
BELIEF -- Bad luck

Date learned: 03-00-1983

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NEVER SIT WITH YOUR BACK TOWARDS A DOOR, THIS WILL
DEFINITELY BRING YOU BAD LUCK.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Bad luck
SPEECH -- Gesture

Date learned: 03-00-1983

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ON EPIPHANY IN THE MORNING, WE'D GO TO MASS AND BRING
FRANKINCENSE AND MYRHH AND A BIT OF GOLD TO BE BLESSED.
WHEN WE GOT HOME, THE FRANKINCENSE WOULD BE PUT ON HOT COALS
AND WE'D WALK WITH IT THEN ALL OVER THE HOUSE, INTO EVERY
ROOM WITH IT, I GUESS IT WAS SUPPOSED TO DRIVE OUT EVIL SPIRITS
OR CLEAN THE AIR FOR GOOD ONES OR SOMETHING, I DON'T REALLY
KNOW... ANYWAY, AFTER WE FINISHED GOING THROUGH THE HOUSE,
OVER EACH DOORWAY IN THE HOUSE, WE'D WRITE IN CHALK
A " K " THEN A CROSS, THEN A " M ", THEN ANOTHER CROSS, AND
A " B " . THE THREE LETTERS WERE THE INITIALS OF THE NAMES OF
THE THREE WISE MEN WHO CAME TO SEE THE BABY JESUS. YOU HAD TO
LEAVE THE CHALK UP ALL YEAR LONG; IF YOU WASHED THE WALLS,
YOU WASH AROUND THE CHALK. IT WAS BAD LUCK IF YOU WIPED IT OFF
BEFORE THE NEXT YEAR'S EPIPHANY.

Submitter comment: THIS IS AN OLD POLISH-CATHOLIC CUSTOM. MRS. MASTERS GREW UP
IN ST. HEDWIG'S PARISH, WHERE MANY OLD WORLD TRADITIONS LIVED.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD

Subject headings: Favorites
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany
BELIEF -- Measure of time Year
BELIEF -- Bad luck

Date learned: 11-00-1983

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PREDICTION DIVINATION BELIEF

IF YOUR LEFT HAND ITCH YOU WILL HAVE BAD LUCK.

Where learned: LOUISIANA ; HAYNESVILLE

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Body part Senses
BELIEF -- Bad luck

Date learned: 01-00-0198

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