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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for F546 returned 563 results.
Mafia Tradition
Mafia members send white roses to the widow of an
enemy upon his death. This means that they will take
care of the widow. The grudge is broken because her
husband is dead.
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Color |
Date learned: 00001972CA
Death Custom
After a family member dies in an Italian family,
the relations must all wear black for one week.
They have to wear everything black!
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Color |
Date learned: 00001972CA
Small Town Funeral Customs
The small towns in the western part of
Wisconsin have furniture stores next to
the funeral homes. They serve as parlors
for the funeral. The funeral home is really
the casket builder's.
Where learned: WISCONSIN ; Sparta
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
I AM TOLD THAT, IN A CASE WHERE THE MOTHER IN A FAMILY
DIED AND THE FATHER IS UNABLE TO TAKE CARE OF THE
CHILDREN, ANOTHER FAMILY MEMBER WILL STEP IN AND TAKE
CARE OF THE CHILDREN AND RAISE THEM AS THEIR OWN.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; MARTIN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F553 |
Date learned: 00001940CA
Camp Songs, Girl Scouts
This song is used internationally
to proclaim the ending of an activity, day, or at a funeral
Day is done, gone the sun,
from the lakes, from the hills, from the skies,
all is well, safely rest, God is nigh.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Camp Innisfree ; Howell
Date learned: 08-00-1990
It was a custom that during the wakes for the departed that
were always held at a house the women would sit in the living
room with the body and cry and pray while the men sat in the
kitchen. They (the men) would eat, drink and make merry.
Submitter comment:
The informants' uncle learned to jig on the kitchen table at a
very young age at the wakes.
This is considered an Irish custom of that era.
Where learned: CAMBRIDGE ; Massachusetts
Keyword(s): Dancing: Irish Jig
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Crucial moment of life Life cycle CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Typical Elements of a Festive Pattern |
Date learned: 00-00-1935
IN THE PHILIPPINES MANY PEOPLE BELIEVE IT BAD LUCK TO EAT MEAT
WITHIN TWO DAYS OF A LOVED ONE'S DEATH. THIS IS SO IN CASE THE
PERSON HAS BEEN REINCARNATED INTO A PIG OR A COW.
Where learned: PHILIPPINES
| Subject headings: | 686 Seconds / Twice / Two CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial Food Drink -- Meat Food Drink -- Meat Bred animal BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
IF YOU WANT A LOVED ONE TO BE HAPPY AND FULFILLED IN THE
AFTER LIFE, YOU MUST BE HAPPY AND THROW A PARTY OF CELEBRATION ON
THE LOVED ONE'S FUNERAL OR RESTING DAY.
Submitter comment: MY INFORMANT LEARNED THIS BELIEF WHILE IN THE ORIENT.
Where learned: ORIENT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 00-00-1975
When one dies in Greece, the body is taken to the deceased
person's home and there the wake takes place. At some point during
the wake all the women close to the deceased gather around the body
of the deceased and make up songs describing his/her life and his/her
accomplishments. These songs are known as "Merologie" - meaning
"words of fate." The songs sung all have rhyme and meter although
there is no prescribed rhyme scheme or certain meter used but rather
any that the singer chooses to use. One would sing her song first and
then the next in chronological order around the circle. If one
disagrees with what is being said, she gracefully interrupts and
sings what she thought of the deceased. This used to be widespread
but now takes place only in small towns of Greece for the most part.
Where learned: GREECE
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Death CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 00001947CA
No black: We celebrate the dead and heaven one's life by wearing
color.
Where learned: OHIO ; CLEVELAND
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Color |
Date learned: 00-00-1991
If it rains on the day of a funeral, it is felt to be a sign
that the dead person lived a life filled with love and laughter.
Submitter comment:
This was said at the funeral of my aunt, whose life was truly
filled with love and laughter.
Keyword(s): COMPENSATION
James Callow Keyword(s): CONTRAST
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew |
Date learned: 00-00-1989
Louisiana Funerals
My uncle and grandfather always told me of Louisiana-style
funerals where there were actually bands playing blues songs at the
funeral. After the memorial portion of the sermon, the funeral
procession would "march" to the place of interment to the beat of
blues songs. After gravesite services were over, the procession
would leave to the tune of "When the Saints Come Marching In."
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
All Souls Day
People in the areas of southern Mexico and below (Guatemala and
Honduras) celebrate All Souls Day by taking food to the graveyard to
gather with and honor their deceased ancestors.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WESTLAND
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- November 2 All SoulsDay of the Dead CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 01-00-1990
Japan-Suicide
In Japan, suicide is an acceptable way to solve problems. The
Japanese feel that the spirit is more important than the body and
still lives on after death.
In fact, in Japan there is a lovers' leap. Lovers whose families
won't allow them to marry tie themselves together and jump together.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WESTLAND
James Callow Keyword(s): cliff
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Formation BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 01-00-1990
Japan -- Abortion
In Japan, abortion and birth control are not allowed. There is a
strong concern for the spirit of the unborn. They have abortion
cemeteries for victims of abortion. In these cemeteries, there are
stone figures of babies, on which are placed little knitted caps.
These babies are called "water babies".
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WESTLAND
James Callow Keyword(s): NAME
Date learned: 01-00-1990
When people stopped for funerals, this meant not only giving
respect to the deceased but to their family.
Where learned: GEORGIA
Keyword(s): DEATH
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
People had funerals on Sunday following church services
because it was convenience for family and friends to attend.
Sunday was considered a day of worship; therefore they didn't
have to work.
Where learned: GEORGIA
Date learned: 01001910 CA
Never speak ill of the dead; if someone dies, never say
anything bad about them. If you do they could come back and
haunt your house: this would cause discomfort and confusion.
Submitter comment:
This informant believes this very strongly. She said her
mother has told her tales of happenings to friends. She said
when she gets the time, she would tell me some of those stories.
Where learned: ONTARIO ; WINDSOR
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 02-10-1992
Holiday
On Christmas Eve my family exchanges gifts after enjoying a
dinner with every one present. We give our thanks to God and
remember all of our family members who have passed before us.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Prayer |
WHEN THERE WAS A DEATH IN THE FAMILY AND THE PERSON WAS
WAKED AT HOME, THE TOP OR COVER OF THE CASKET WAS
PLACED OUTSIDE ON THE FRONT LAWN OF THE HOUSE.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT REMEMBERS THIS CUSTOM TAKING PLACE IN POLAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; POLAND
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 03-10-1970