Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for P475 returned 568 results.
WEATHER BELIEF
WHEN GRASS IS DRY AT MORNING LIGHT
LOOK FOR RAIN BEFORE THE NIGHT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 00001970S
EAT A LOT OF CARROTS
IF YOU EAT A LOT OF CARROTS YOU WILL HAVE PRETTY EYES.
WAS A WAY MOTHERS IN ITALIAN FAMILIES GOT THEIR CHILDREN TO EAT FOOD
IF THEY DID NOT LIKE IT>
Submitter comment: PASSED DOWN FROM MY GREAT GRANDMOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Eyes, evil eye BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 12-00-1982
NEVER USE A TREE FOR FIRE WOOD THAT'S BEEN STRUCK BY LIGHTNING.
WATER CAN BE FOUND BY "WITCHING" WITH A GREEN BRANCH FROM
CERTAIN TREES.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: OHIO ; CONTINENTAL
Keyword(s): ; Aphorisms ; dowsing ; Tips ; TREES ; WATER ; Witch ; WOOD
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Water |
TATTOO
MY FATHER, WHO GREW UP IN LEBANON, HAD A CLOVER-LIKE TATTOO ON EACH
OF HIS TEMPLES. HE EXPLAINED THAT WHEN HE WAS A CHILD, HE HAD VERY
POOR EYESIGHT AND WAS BELIEVED TO BE GOING BLIND. HIS GRANDMOTHER
TOOK HIM TO A MAN WHO GAVE HIM THE TATTOOS. HE SWORE HIS VISION WAS
RETURNED TO NORMAL. HE NEVER WORE GLASSES UNTIL HE WAS ABOUT
50 YEARS OLD.
Submitter comment:
MY FATHER WAS BORN IN THE UNITED STATES, BUT LIVED IN LEBANON
FROM THE TIME HE WAS A YEAR OLD UNTIL HE WAS TWENTY AND CAME TO THE
U.S. HE DIED IN DEARBORN, MICHIGAN IN 1980.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Body part Senses Eyes, evil eye ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Human or animal body Tattoo BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
FOOD GATHERING CUSTOM
TRUFFLES SHOULD BE GATHERED AT MIDNIGHT WHEN THEY WILL POP UP
OUT OF THE GROUND. IF GATHERED AT ANY OTHER TIME THEY WILL
NOT BE ANY GOOD.
Submitter comment: THIS BELIEF DOES NOT HOLD TRUE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CLINTON TOWNSHIP
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Plant food BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour |
Date learned: 11-00-1982
FEAST OF THE EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS-SEPTEMBER 14
UKRAINIANS OF THE BYZANTINE RITE VENERATE THE CROSS IN A
SPECIAL MANNER ON THIS DAY. FLOWERS, USUALLY RED ROSES OR
CARNATIONS ARE ARRANGED ON A WIRE BACKING. THE CROSS IS THEN
PLACED ON TOP OF THE FLORAL ARRANGEMENT WITH A CHALICE PATEN
UNDER IT. A RED MATERIAL, SOMETIMES A PART OF THE PRIEST'S
VESTMENT, IS TIED AROUND THE BOTTOM OF THE CROSS AND THE STEMS
OF THE FLOWERS. IT IS CARRIED AROUND THE ALTAR BY THE PRIEST
BEFORE THE FIRST MASS OF THE DAY. THEN IT IS PLACED ON A
PILLOW ON THE TETRAPOD, A SMALL TABLE IN THE FRONT CENTER OF
THE CHURCH. THE CROSS AND THE FLORAL ARRANGEMENT UNDER IT
REMAIN THERE FOR A WEEK FOR VENERATION BY THE FAITHFUL. THE
CROSS IS KISSED UPON ENTERING AND EXITING THE CHURCH. AFTER
EACH SERVICE THE CONGREGATION SINGS THREE TIMES THE PHRASE
O LORD, WE ADORE THY CROSS AND GLORIFY THY HOLY RESURRECTION.
AFTER EACH SINGING, A PROFOUND BOW IS MADE BY THE PEOPLE.
MANY OF OUR OLDER WOMEN CONSIDER THE DEAD FLOWERS TO BE A
SACRAMENTAL AND ASK TO TAKE THEM HOME WHEN THE ARRANGEMENT
IS TAKEN APART. SOME KEEP THEM ON DRESSERS, IN PRAYER BOOKS,
AND IN THEIR BIBLES.
Submitter comment:
THE UKRAINIANS ALSO VENERATE THE CROSS IN A SIMILAR MANNER
ON THE THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; ROCHESTER
Keyword(s): FLOWERS
| Subject headings: | 663 Lent 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- September 14 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Week Day Hour BELIEF -- Plant SPEECH -- Religious |
Date learned: 00001950S
IF A PERSON KEEPS A CLOVE OF GARLIC IN HIS PURSE OR WALLET,
HE WILL ALWAYS HAVE SOME MONEY.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT HEARD THIS FROM A POLISH FRIEND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth |
Date learned: 03-00-1983
WHEN A FEMALE IS IN HER CYCLE, SHE SHOULDN'T TOUCH
ANY PLANT OR CROPS BECAUSE IF SHE DOES THEN THEY WILL
DIE. THE REASON FOR THIS IS BECAUSE GOD CURSED WOMEN WITH
THIS CURSE BECAUSE EVE NED AND SO THE CURSE IS SIN
SINFUL AND CAN KILL LIVING PLANTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): MENSTRUATION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Gods BELIEF -- Creation and Order of Human Life BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
WHEAT IS BLESSED AND SPREAD OVER THE GRAVES OF THE RECENTLY
DECEASED WITH A PRAYER FOR THE SOUL. THE BELIEF IS THAT
THE WHEAT WILL PERPETUATE THE SOUL AND THE BIRDS WILL
CARRY THE WHEAT TO HEAVEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
TO WARD OFF THE EVIL EYE, WE SPIT THREE TIMES AND SAY
SKARTHO WHICH MEANS GARLIC IN GREEK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Curse SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
LONG TIME AGO, CHILDREN WOULD RECEIVE ORANGES FOR CHRISTMAS AND
THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO KEEP THE SEEDS FOR GOOD LUCK.
Submitter comment: THIS WAS ALSO DONE IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY
Where learned: GUADELOUPE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Gifts, gift giving at Christmas Food Drink -- Plant food Fruit BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Good luck Plants |
Date learned: 00001800S
AS SOON AS A PERSON IS DEAD, YOU SOULD STOP ALL THE CLOCKS IN THE
HOUSE AND COVER THEM; TURN OR COVER ALL MIRRORS; LIGHT A CANDLE
NEXT TO THE BED; PUT SOME BLESSED WATER AND A BRANCH OF "TAMARIN"
NEXT TO THE BODY; PUT A BUCKET OF WATER IN THE ROOM SO THAT THE
SOUL OF THE DEFUNCT COULD WASH ITSELF.
Where learned: GUADELOUPE
Keyword(s): TAMARIN IS A VERY COMMON TREE IN GUADELOUPE. IT GIVES SOME FRUITS ; THAT ARE EITHER SWEET OR SOUR DEPENDING ON THE TREE.
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 00-00-1980
IN ORDER TO KEEP FAMILY SPIRITS AWAY (THE DEAD) YOU SHOULD
PUT A FRESH PIECE OF PINE ACROSS THE FRONT DOOR,AND THEY WILL
NOT BE ABLE TO ENTER.
Where learned: NORTH CAROLINA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 04091984CA
BELIEF
IF YOU SWALLOW WATERMELON SEEDS, YOU WILL GROW A WATERMELON
IN YOUR STOMACH.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT USED TO TELL HER CHILDREN THIS SO THAT THEY
WOULD NOT SWALLOW WATERMELLON SEEDS.
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
IF IT IS A GOOD GROWING YEAR, THE CORN WILL BE KNEE HIGH
BY THE FOURTH OF JULY.
Submitter comment:
THIS BELIEF WAS PASSED TO BRIAN AS A CHILD GROWING UP IN
RURAL OHIO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): RHYME
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief C860.475 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- July 4 Independence Day BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- P535 |
Date learned: 11-02-1984 ; 00001960S
SUPERSTITION
IF A BOY EATS A LOT OF SPINACH, HE WILL DEVELOP A HAIRY
CHEST.
Submitter comment:
MY GRANDPA WOULD TELL THIS TO MY FATHER WHO DIDN'T LIKE
SPINACH BUT GREATLY ADMIRED HIS FATHER'S HAIRY CHEST.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Plant |
IF YOU EAT AN ACORN, A LOVED ONE
WILL BE SUCCESSFUL.
Submitter comment: SHE DID NOT BELIEVE IT THEN OR NOW.
Where learned: JAMAICA ; PRINCETON
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Plant food Nut BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 00-00-1970 ; 00-00-1985
"LADY IN WHITE"
IN THE WOODS ON BELLE-ISLE, ONE
COULD GO TO A TREE STUMP MARKED
CR + TL. STOP YOUR CAR, FLASH YOUR
LIGHTS THREE TIMES, SHUT THEM OFF, GO
OUTSIDE TO YOUR LEFT FRONT TIRE, KICK
IT THREE TIMES, GO BACK INTO YOUR CAR
AND BEEP YOUR HORN THREE TIMES. THE
LADY IN WHITE WILL APPEAR TO YOU. DO THIS
ONLY AT THE BEWITCHING HOUR.
Submitter comment:
TOLD AT A TEENAGE HOMECOMING PARTY.
IT WAS SAID THAT THE LADY IN WHITE WAS
A GIRL WHO GOT KILLED BY HER BOYFRIEND ON
HOMECOMING AND (HE) STUFFED HER IN THE TREE STUMP
AND MARKED THEIR INITIALS. SHE WAS WEARING
A WHITE GOWN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): MIDNIGHT
Date learned: 00-00-1985
EATING CARROTS MAKES ONE'S HAIR GROW FASTER.
Submitter comment:
MY GREATGRANDMOTHER USED TO TELL ME THIS SO I WOULD EAT MY
CARROTS.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Plant food Vegetable BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hair, on head, mustache, widow's peak BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
BLACK AMERICAN
PLAIT YOUR HORSE:S MANE WITH CORN-
SHUCKS TO PREVENT WITCHES FROM
RIDING HIM. INFORMANT HEARD FROM
GRANDFATHER.
Where learned: MISSISSIPPI
Keyword(s): WITCHES
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Witch Shaman BELIEF -- Plant |