Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for 686.1.1 returned 589 results.
WHEN ERECTING A NEW BUILDING IN GERMANY, THEY PLACE A SPRIG
OF PINE OR SPRUCE, OR FIR TREE AT THE TOP OF THE POLE
AND IT STAYS THERE FOR ONE YEAR AFTER COMPLETION. THIS
IS FOR GOOD LUCK.
Submitter comment: HE ACTUALLY SAW THIS IN GERMANY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; GERMANY ; DETROIT ; DEARBORN ; TV STUDIO
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Foundation rite Laying of cornerstone BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 09-28-1970
IN ENGLAND, NEW BUILDINGS ARE ADORNED WITH A WREATH, AND
A PARTY IS GIVEN BY THE BUILDER AND THE OWNER AS A GOOD
LUCK CELEBRATION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ENGLAND ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Foundation rite Laying of cornerstone BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
WHEN A SLOVAK OR RUSSIAN FAMILY MOVE INTO A NEW HOME, A
PRIEST AND HIS CANTOR (IF THE FAMILY IS CATHOLIC) ARE
INVITED TO BLESS THE HOUSE. THE CANTOR RESPONDS TO THE
PRIEST'S PRAYERS AS THEY WALK THROUGH EACH ROOM, THE
PRIEST SPRINKLING HOLY WATER EVERYWHERE. THE PRIEST
DISTRIBUTES HOLY CARDS TO THE FAMILY MEMBERS.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS DONE FOR GOOD LUCK AND FOR GOOD HEALTH IN THE
NEW HOME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 03-22-1970
WHEN BUILDINGS ARE CONSTRUCTED, A TIME CAPSULE CONTAINING
A NEWSPAPER, PICTURES, AND VARIOUS THINGS OF THE DAY
ARE PUT IN THE WALL OF THE BUILDING. IT IS USUALLY PUT
IN THE CORNER STONE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure |
Date learned: 11-18-1968
A CUSTOM OF CONSTRUCTION WORKERS (CEMENT LAYERS) IS TO
CELEBRATE THE FIRST LAYER OF CEMENT IN A BUILDING.
Submitter comment:
I USED TO WORK CONSTRUCTION; WE USED TO CELEBRATE THE
LAYING OF EVERY FLOOR, BY GETTING DRUNK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Foundation rite Laying of cornerstone |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
IN ORDER TO HAVE GOOD LUCK WHILE OWNING A BUSINESS, BURY
THE NECK OF A CHICKEN IN THE FOUNDATION OF A NEW
BUILDING.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT ACTUALLY PRACTICED THIS WHEN HER HUSBAND OPENED
A BUSINESS SEVERAL YEARS AGO. SHE HEARD THIS FROM AN
OLD WOMAN WHEN SHE WAS A CHILD IN HER NATIVE TOWN IN
ROMANIA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Foundation rite Laying of cornerstone BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 11-08-1971
WIGILIA
IN POLAND, THE MOST POPULAR SEASON IS CHRISTMAS TO THE
EPIPHANY. THE SEASON BEGINS ON THE VIGIL OF CHRISTMAS
(DEC. 24). THE APPEARANCE OF THE FIRST STAR OF THE EVENING
IS THE SIGNAL FOR THE CLOSEST OF KIN TO COMMENCE THE
TRADITIONAL "WIGILIA" (CHRISTMAS EVE SUPPER). STILL
PRACTICED IN SOME VILLAGES IS THE CUSTOM OF SPREADING
HAY BENEATH THE TABLECLOTH. THE SUPPER BEGINS WITH THE
BREAKING AND SHARING OF THE OPLATEK (BLESSED WAFER)
ACCOMPANIED BY A MUTUAL EXCHANGE OF WISHES. THEN AN ODD
NUMBER OF TRADITIONAL MEATLESS DISHES ARE SERVED ONE BY
ONE. AS THE REPAST ENDS, THE STRAINS OF OLD POLISH
CAROLS ARE SUNG THROUGHOUT THE HOUSEHOLD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIBRARY ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Date learned: 10-11-1972
IF THE FIRST PERSON TO ENTER A HOUSE ON NEW YEAR'S DAY
IS A WOMAN, THAT HOUSEHOLD WILL HAVE BAD LUCK AND
SICKNESS THROUGHOUT THE NEW YEAR. (I WAS TOLD THAT
THIS IS AN ENGLISH CUSTOM.)
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.42 |
Date learned: 10-25-1970
IF A MAN IS THE FIRST PERSON THAT COMES TO YOUR
HOUSE ON NEW YEAR'S, YOU'LL HAVE GOOD LUCK.
Submitter comment: THIS IS PRACTICED BY MANY PEOPLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's BELIEF -- Good luck P881.42 |
Date learned: 01-17-1972
PART OF BOYSCOUT INITIATION CONSISTS OF CERTAIN
RITUALS. PART OF WHICH, THE YOUNG SCOUT ANSWERS
ALL QUESTIONS WITH THE MAGIC WORD "WODANOSSIAM."
FREELY TRANSLATED MEANS: WHAT AN ASS I AM.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime |
Date learned: 11-29-1967
TO SLAY A SHEEP AND THEN TO DONOTE ITS MEAT TO THE
POOR BRINGS GOOD LUCK (1) WHEN YOU BUILD OR BUY A
HOUSE, (2) WHEN A BRIDE AND GROOM ENTER THEIR FIRST
HOME, (3) WHEN YOU HAVE A SERIOUSLY SICK PERSON IN
THE HOUSE.
Submitter comment: SUCH A CUSTOM HAS ITS ORIGIN IN BIBLICAL TIMES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; BAGHDAD ; IRAQ
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Good luck Animals |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
ITALIAN
FOR GOOD LUCK WITH A NEW CAR, HANG A RED BOW SOMEPLACE
IN THE CAR. THIS WILL ALSO KEEP YOU SAFE FROM
ACCIDENTS.
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM HER ITALIAN MOTHER.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; PLEASANTVILLE
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. BELIEF -- Color BELIEF -- Good luck Numbers |
Date learned: 12-27-1963
WHENEVER YOU MOVE INTO A NEW HOME, YOU MUST MAKE
SURE YOU HAVE A BROOM, SALT, AND A BIBLE WITH YOU.
THIS IS FOR GOOD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAID SHE HAD DONE THIS WHEN SHE MOVED
INTO HER NEW HOME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Good luck Broom Sweeping BELIEF -- Good luck Numbers |
Date learned: 03-18-1972
WHEN YOU MOVE INTO A NEW HOME YOU SHOULD SPILL
CHICKEN OR ROOSTER BLOOD OUTSIDE THE DOOR FOR
GOOD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAID THE SPILLING OF CHICKEN BLOOD REFERS *33460/CENCKEN
TO THE PAGAN TRADITION OF SACRIFICES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; OAK PARK
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. BELIEF -- Good luck Animals BELIEF -- Good luck Numbers |
Date learned: 02-14-1972
ITALIAN
WHEN YOU GUY A NEW HOUSE, YOU MUST IMMEDIATELY GO OUT
AND BUY A LOAF OF BREAD, A BOTTLE OF WINE, AND A BOX
OF SALT. PLACE THESE SOMEPLACE IN YOUR HOUSE AND
NEVER TOUCH THEM FOR ANY REASON. THIS WILL ASSURE
YOU OF LUCK AND HAPPINESS IN YOUR NEW HOME.
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM HER ITALIAN MOTHER.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; PLEASANTVILLE
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Good luck Food and drink BELIEF -- Good luck Numbers |
Date learned: 12-27-1963
BEFORE MOVING INTO A NEW HOUSE, YOU PLACE SALT AND
A LOAF OF BREAD TO BRING YOU GOOD LUCK ANYWHERE IN
THE HOUSE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Good luck Food and drink BELIEF -- Good luck Numbers |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
WHEN SOMEONE MOVES INTO A NEW HOME, HE SHOULD SPRINKLE
SALT ALL THROUGH THE HOUSE. THIS WILL BRING GOOD
LUCK, AND ALSO KEEP AWAY THE EVIL SPIRITS.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM HER SISTER-IN-LAW, WHO
DID ACTUALLY DO THIS WHEN THE INFORMANT AND HER
HUSBAND MOVED INTO THEIR FIRST HOME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Good luck Numbers |
Date learned: 05-18-1965
YOU HAVE YOUR NEW HOUSE BLESSED FOR GOOD LUCK THAT NO
WRONG COMES TO THE HOME OR THE PEOPLE IN IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church BELIEF -- Prayer BELIEF -- Good luck Numbers |
Date learned: 03-17-1971
THE FIRST PERSON TO ENTER YOUR HOME ON NEW YEAR'S DAY
SHOULD BE A DARK-HAIRED MAN. THIS WILL BRING GOOD
LUCK TO THE ENTIRE HOUSEHOLD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's BELIEF -- Good luck Numbers |
Date learned: 03-27-1970
ON NEW YEAR'S DAY THE MAN OF THE HOUSE SHOULD ENTER
FIRST TO INSURE GOOD LUCK.
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM HER MOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's BELIEF -- Good luck Numbers |
Date learned: 03-22-1967