Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for F533 returned 456 results.
ITS A TRADITION IN THIS FAMILY THAT WHEN A CHILD IS CHRISTENED,
THE GOD-PARENTS ARE ITS ELDEST UNCLE AND AUNT.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Baptism Naming rite |
TO CALL ANOTHER CHILD OUT TO PLAY,
A CHILD WILL SING THEIR FRIEND'S NAME OUTSIDE
HIS FRIEND'S HOUSE.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS THE ONLY WAY A CHILD CALLED UPON A FRIEND.
USING THE TELEPHONE OR DOORBELL WAS UNHEARD OF.
Where learned: DETROIT
Date learned: 00-00-1975
MOTHER-IN-LAW AVOIDANCE
YOU DO NOT TALK OR SPEAK TO YOUR MOTHER-IN-LAW. RELAYING MESSAGES TO
THEM THROUGH A THIRD PERSON IS PERMISSABLE. BAD LUCK TO THE MARRIAGE
IF THE HUSBAND TALKS TO THE MOTHER-IN-LAW DIRECTLY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 11-00-1982
CHRISTMAS FOOD CUSTOM
AT CHRISTMAS, ONE SHOULD BREAK A PIECE OF WAFER AND SHARE IT WITH
FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
Submitter comment: ITEM WAS LEARNED IN WYANDOTTE, MICHIGAN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Oplatki |
Date learned: CA00001960S
FORGETFULNESS TRADITION
IF YOU LEAVE THE HOUSE FORGETTING SOMETHING, YOU MUST SIT DOWN AND
COUNT TO TEN BEFORE LEAVING THE HOUSE AGAIN.
Submitter comment: THIS ITEM WAS LEARNED IN DETROIT
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; BOTSFORD GRADE SCHOOL ; WAYNE COUNTY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Number P686.3.10 |
Date learned: CA00001930S
BROOM SUPERSTITION
WHEN YOU MOVE FROM ONE RESIDENCE TO ANOTHER, NEVER TAKE YOUR BROOM.
Submitter comment: ITEM WAS LEARNED IN WEST VIRGINIA ALTHOUGH COLLECTED IN DETROIT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; BOTSFORD GRADE SCHOOL ; CLARENCEVILLE DISTRICT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Home CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 11-00-1982
PRAYER BELIEF
BEFORE WE GO ON A TRIP WE ALWAYS SIT DOWN TOGETHER, THINK A SILENT
PRAYER FOR A SAFE RETURN AND THEN START ON OUR TRIP. WE DO IT FOR
JUST A MOMENT OR TWO.
Submitter comment: ITEM WAS LEARNED IN THE CITY OF DETROIT ALTHOUGH COLLECTED IN SUBURB
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; BOTSFORD GRADE SCHOOL ; CLARENCEVILLE DISTRICT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 11-00-1982
FASCHNACHT DAY
ON THE DAY BEFORE ASH WEDNESDAY, THE CHILDREN
OF LEWISTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA WOULD BRING DOUGHNUTS
TO THEIR SCHOOLROOM EARLY, BEFORE THEIR TEACHER
ARRIVED. WHEN THEIR TEACHER SHOWED UP, THEY
WOULD LOCK HIM, OR HER, OUT OF THE ROOM, EAT THE
DOUGHNUTS, AND REMAIN LOCKED IN THE CLASSROOM
UNTIL THE TEACHER FINALLY LEFT. WHEN THEY WERE
SURE THAT THE TEACHER HAD GONE, THE CHILDREN WENT
HOME FOR THE DAY.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT CANNOT RECALL THE DATE THAT HER
FATHER TOLD HER THE STORY. HER FATHER'S NAME
IS MARTIN GINGERICH, BORN MAY 24, 1933, LEWISTOWN,
PENNSYLVANIA. HER FATHER REMEMBERS THIS CUSTOM
FROM LEWISTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA AROUND 1942. THOUGH
HE BELIEVES THAT IT BEGAN AS A PENNSYLVANIA DUTCH
CUSTOM, ALL CHILDREN PARTICIPATED.
THE INFORMANT CELEBRATED FASCHNACHT IN ANN ARBOR,
MICHIGAN IN 1982 BY BAKING SEVERAL BATCHES OF DOUGHNUTS
AND EATING THEM ON THE SAME DAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
James Callow Keyword(s): LOCK-OUT ; THE LOCK OUT
Date learned: 09-00-1982
FRENCH NEW YEAR'S CUSTOM
ON THE EVE OF NEW YEAR'S, AT THE STROKE OF MIDNIGHT, THE
CHILDREN KNEEL BEFORE THEIR PARENTS AND ASK TO BE
FORGIVEN ANY WRONGS THEY HAVE COMMITTED DURING THE YEAR.
THEN THEY ASK FOR THEIR PARENT'S BLESSING. THE PARENTS
PLACED THEIR HANDS ON EACH CHILD'S HEAD TO BLESS THEM.
THE CHILD ROSE AND KISSED THE PARENTS.
Where learned: CANADA ; ONTARIO ; WINDSOR
Date learned: 00-00-1935
UKRAINIAN GREETING FOR A BISHOP
THE GREETING OF A BISHOP, ARCHBISHOP OR CARDINAL BY THE
UKRAINIANS FOLLOWS CERTAIN CUSTOMS. WHEN THE DIGNITARY
ARRIVES AT THE CHURCH DOOR, HE IS MET BY THE PASTOR, AN
ELDERLY PARISHONER OR CHURCH PIONEER AND A LITTLE GIRL.
THE PIONEER HOLDS A TRAY ON WHICH AN EMBROIDERED CLOTH
HAS BEEN PLACED. A ROUND BREAD WITH A CANDLE IN THE CENTER
IS PLACED ON THE TRAY TOGETHER WITH A CONTAINER OF SALT.
SOMETIMES A SYMBOLIC KEY IS ALSO ON THE TRAY. THE ELDERLY
PARISHONER EXTENDS THE TRAY TO THE CHURCH DIGNITARY FOR
A BLESSING. THE GIRL, OFTEN DRESSED IN A FULL UKRAINIAN
COSTUME OF BOOTS, SKIRT, BLOUSE, VEST AND HEADPIECE, THEN
PRESENTS A BOUQUET OF FLOWERS TO THE DIGNITARY. THE TWO
PEOPLE MAKING THE PRESENTATIONS EXTEND A FEW WORDS OF
WELCOME ON BEHALF OF THE PARISH. THEN THE PASTOR LEADS
THE DIGNITARY DOWN THE AISLE AT WHICH TIME HE BLESSES
THE CONGREGATION.
Submitter comment:
THIS FORMAL WELCOME WOULD BE EXTENDED ON AN OFFICIAL
VISIT SUCH AS A PARISH VISITATION.
Where learned: CANADA ; ALBERTA ; MUNDARE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church BELIEF -- Mineral |
Date learned: 00001940S
EPIPHANY CEREMONY
EACH YEAR ON THE FEAST OF EPIPHANY, JANUARY 6, THE FATHER
USING A WHITE CHALK, MAKES A CROSS OVER EACH DOORWAY.
NEXT TO THE CROSS HE WRITES THE YEAR. IT'S SYMBOLIC OF
ASKING GOD'S BLESSING ON ANYONE WHO ENTERS THE ROOMS
FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR. THE CROSS, SYMBOLIC OF CHRIST,
REMINDED EACH PERSON THAT GOD MANIFESTED HIMSELF AT THE
BAPTISM OF JESUS IN THE JORDAN RIVER.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SHAMOKIN
Date learned: 00001970S
A WOMAN SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE HOME ON MONDAY
BEFORE A MAN ENTERS AND DEPARTS.
Submitter comment: ITEM SHOWS SEXISM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Week Day Hour |
POLISH-AMERICAN CUSTOM: WHENEVER IT SNOWS, A POLISH FAMILY IN
CHEBOYGAN, MICHIGAN SHOVELS A PARKING SPOT IN THE STREET AND
PLACES A CHAIR (USUALLY TAKEN FROM THE KITCHEN) IN THE PARKING
SPACE. NO ONE USUALLY TAKES THE CHAIR OR USES THE PARKING SPACE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Home CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 09-21-1982
SCARCITY OF FOOD
OUR DOOR IS ALWAYS OPEN TO UNEXPECTED FRIENDS AND RELATIVES
WHEN THEY POP BY. IF THEY HAPPEN TO DROP BY DURING DINNERTIME
OR BEFORE THE MEAL HAS STARTED MY PARENTS ALWAYS INVITE THEM TO
EAT WITH US. OF COURSE NOT BEING COUNTED ON IN THE MEAL
PLANNING LEAVES THE FOOD SITUATION A LITTLE SCARCE. MY MOM AND
DAD AT THAT POINT THEN WHISPER TO EACH OF THE KIDS, "FAMILY GO
EASY" AND WE KNOW NOT TO EAT A LOT.
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00-00-1968
WEST GERMAN TRADITION
IN GERMANY ON A CHILD'S VERY FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL HE/SHE
RECEIVES A SPECIAL PRESENT. THE PARENTS OF THE CHILD
GIVES HIM/HER A HUGE CONE FILLED WITH CANDY. THIS IS
DONE IN OREDR TO GIVE THE CHILD A GOOD PERSPECTIVE ABOUT
SCHOOL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 02-00-1983
I'VE ALWAYS BEEN AFRAID OF THUNDER AND LIGHTENING SO
WHEN I WAS A LITTLE GIRL MY MOMMA TOLD ME THIS STORY.
SHE TOLD ME THAT ALL THE THUNDER WAS JUST SOME ANGELS
PLAYING POOL AND EVERY TIME THEY HIT A BALL WE WOULD
HEAR ITS ECHO. THE LIGHTENING WAS NOTHING MORE THAN A
PRANKSTER ANGEL CUTTING THE LIGHTS ON AND OFF UP IN
HEAVEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION ; MATERNAL ROLE
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Lightning Thunder |
Date learned: 03-00-1983
YOU SHOULD ALWAYS RESPECT THE SABBATH AND NOT WORK
NOR SWEAR. THIS DAY SHOULD BE SET ASIDE AND SHARED WITH
YOUR FAMILY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 03-00-1983
IN OUR FAMILY, THE ELDEST SON PLACES THE DECORATIVE ANGEL ATOP
THE TRIMMED CHRISTMAS TREE. IF HE IS NOT HOME FOR CHRISTMAS,
THE ANGEL IS NOT PUT IN PLACE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK ; OAKLAND COUNTY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas tree |
IT IS FORBIDDEN FOR A PREGNANT WOMAN TO WALK ABOUT
IN A SUNNY DAY OR SIT UNDER A TREE, BECAUSE EVIL SPIRITS
WALK ABOUT IN THE SUNNY DAY AND THEY ALSO
HOLD MEETINGS UNDER THE TREE.
IF A PREGNANT WOMAN IGNORES THIS WARNING, AN EVIL SPIRIT WILL ENTER
HER TUMMY AND DRIVE AWAY THE REAL CHILD. THUS, SHE WILL GIVE
BIRTH TO A DEVIL-POSSESSED CHILD. THE CHILD WILL TORTURE
HER PARENTS WITH THE EVIL SPIRIT, AND DIE IN INFANCY.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT LOOKED SERIOUS WHEN NARRATING THIS ITEM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 00-00-1958
WHEN AN ORPHAN IS MISTREATED BY HIS GUARDIAN, HE CAN INFORM HIS
DEAD PARENTS OF HIS MISTREATMENT BY WRITING A LETTER EXPLAINING
THE WHOLE SITUATIONS IN THE LETTER. THEN, HE CAN GO AND THROW
IT IN A RIVER, SEA OR OCEAN. THE DEAD PARENTS WILL RECEIVE (IT), AND
THEY WILL SEND SPIRITS TO GO AND HELP THE CHILD.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT LOOK SERIOUS WHILE NARRATING THE ITEM
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |