Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for P438 returned 634 results.
DREAM BELIEF
IF YOU DREAM OF TEETH, SOMEONE CLOSE TO YOU WILL EITHER DIE,
BECOME ILL, OR BECOME INJURED VERY SOON. MY MOTHER TOLD
ME THAT SHE HEARD THIS FROM HER MOTHER IN DUQUESNE,
PENNSYLVANIA AROUND 1945. SHE SAYS THAT HER MOTHER
BELIEVED IT TO BE TRUE BECAUSE SHE HAD ONCE DREAMED OF TEETH
JUST BEFORE A FRIEND'S HUSBAND DIED.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT'S MOTHER'S NAME IS MARY MORSILLO GINGERICH,
BORN OCTOBER 3, 1937, FARRELL, PENNSYLVANIA. THE
GRANDMOTHER'S NAME IS ELIZABETH DORULLA MARTIN AND IS OF
SLOVAKIAN DESCENT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Dreams Foretelling a death |
Date learned: 09-00-1982
HAIR CUTTING BELIEF
HAVING YOUR HAIR CUT ON GOOD FRIDAY WILL BRING GOOD LUCK
FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR. MY GRANDMOTHER TOLD THIS TO MY
MOTHER IN DUQUESNE, PENNSYLVANIA AROUND 1945. MY MOTHER
THINKS THAT MY GRANDMOTHER BELIEVED IT TO BE TRUE BUT
DOESN'T RECALL ANYONE ACTUALLY HAVING THEIR HAIR CUT ON
GOOD FRIDAY IN ORDER TO BRING GOOD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
THE GRANDMOTHER, ELIZABETH DORULLA MARTIN IS OF SLOVAKIAN
DESCENT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
Date learned: 09-00-1982
RURAL BLACK BAD LUCK OMEN
IF YOU STUB YOUR TOE, YOU MUST IMMEDIATELY SPIN AROUND
THREE TIMES IN SUCCESSION. IF YOU DO NOT, YOU WILL HAVE
BAD LUCK. WE ACTUALLY DID BELIEVE THIS AS CHILDREN AND WE
SELDOM FAILED TO SPIN AROUND WHEN THE SITUATION CALLED FOR
IT. OF COURSE, ONCE WE BECAME A BIT OLDER, IN HIGH
SCHOOL, WE NO LONGER BOTHERED WITH THIS SORT OF THING. IT
WAS STRICTLY FOR KIDS.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT SPENT HIS CHILDHOOD IN A RURAL BLACK PORTION
OF LOUISVILLE, MISSISSIPPI DURING THE 1930'S. THE FAMILY
MOVED TO DETROIT DURING WORLD WAR II AND HAS LIVED IN
DETROIT SINCE THAT TIME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 09-00-1982
RURAL BLACK BAD LUCK OMEN
BLACK CHILDREN IN LOUISVILLE, MISSISSIPPI THOUGHT THAT
STEPPING ON SOMEONE'S HEEL WOULD BRING THAT PERSON BAD LUCK.
THE BAD LUCK COULD ONLY BE REMOVED BY STRIKING THE VICTIM
ON THE BACK THREE TIMES. NOW IT HAD TO BE THE SAME PERSON
WHO HAD STEPPED ON HIS HEEL TO BEGIN WITH. SOMETIMES WE
WOULD MAKE A GAME OF IT BY REFUSING TO STRIKE THE VICTIM'S
BACK. NATURALLY, A CHASE WOULD DEVELOP, USUALLY ENDING
ONLY AFTER THE VICTIM HAD THE CURSE REMOVED. WE DIDN'T
REALLY BELIEVE IN BAD LUCK, EVEN AS KIDS, BUT WE LIKED TO
MAKE A GAME OF IT. FREQUENTLY, WE WOULD STEP ON A BUDDY'S
HEEL AND REFUSE TO REMOVE THE CURSE JUST FOR THE FUN OF THE
CHASE, OR THE WRESTLING MATCH, OR THE MOCK-FIGHT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple Observation Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Racing Chasing Fighting BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Bad luck Gestures |
Date learned: 09-00-1982
COFFEE MAKES PEOPLE DARK.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT WAS TOLD THIS BY HER MOTHER AT A VERY YOUNG
AGE AND SAYS SHE HAS NEVER DRUNKEN COFFEE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): COMPLECTION
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Brew of leaf, bark, root BELIEF -- Body part Senses |
Date learned: 03-00-1983
IF YOU WANT TO KNOW HOW MANY KIDS YOU WILL HAVE
YOU CAN FIND OUT BY COUNTING THE WHITE LINES IN
YOUR FINGER-NAILS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Spirit / Mind / Body BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Number Counting beliefs |
Date learned: 04-00-1983
AFRO-AMERICAN BELIEFS
TO TALK WITH THE DEAD WAIT UNTIL MIDNIGHT, WRITE THE NAME
OF THE PERSON YOU WISH TO CONVERSE WITH, COVER A GLASS
OF WATER WITH THE NAME WRITTEN ON A SHEET OF PAPER, AND
STAND BEFORE A MIRROR WITH LIGHTED CANDLE. THE FIGURE OF
THE PERSON WILL APPEAR IN THE MIRROR. MM
IF A PERSON SWEEPS ACROSS YOUR FEET WITH THE BROOM YOU
MUST SPIT UPON IT OR YOU WILL GO TO JAIL. MM
PICKING A MARRIAGE PARTNER:
A WOMAN WHOSE SECOND TOE IS LONGER THAN THE FIRST IS A
POOR CHOICE FOR A WIFE IN THAT SHE WILL MAKE HER
HUSBAND MISERABLE BY DOMINATION OR HER ATTEMPTS AT DOING
SO. MM
ANOTHER IS THAT A PREGNANT WOMAN SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED
TO PREPARE FOOD BECAUSE SHE IS UNCLEAN. MM
IF A MAN'S WIFE
CLIMBS ACROSS HIM TO GET OUT OF BED HE WILL BEAR THE
LABOR PAINS.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): CONTAGIOUS MAGIC ; TRANSFER
Date learned: 07-00-1967
SUPERSTITIONS AND CONTAGIOUS MAGIC
A PACKET CONTAINING NAIL PARINGS, A LOCK OF HAIR AND
THREE DROPS OF BODY FLUID, USUALLY BLOOD, PLACED UNDER THE
BOTTOM STEP OF A LOVE OBJECT WILL ENSURE THAT THE LOVED (ONE)
WILL LOVE NO OTHER. MM
A MIXTURE OF ROOSTER BLOOD, CORN WHISKEY, AND A SMALL
AMOUNT OF DRIED BULL DUNG WILL ENSURE POTENNENCE AND MALE
OFFSPRING. CC POTENCY MM
A WOMAN WHO HANDLES ANY ANIMALS DURING HER PREGNANCY
"MARK" HER BABY WITH EITHER ANIMALISTIC FEATURES OR
BEHAVIOR. CC MARKS? MM
IF YOU ALLOW AN ALBINO PERSON TO TOUCH YOU YOU WILL BE
BLINDED OR ONE LEG WILL BECOME SHORTER THAN THE OTHER
BY THE NEXT FULL MOON FOLLOWING THE INCIDENT.
Where learned: SOUTH CAROLINA ; COLUMBUS
Date learned: 00-00-1918
PREDICTION DIVINATION BELIEF.
IF YOUR RIGHT HAND IS ITCHING YOU WILL GET SOME MONEY.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; HAYNESVILLE
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Body part Senses |
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
DURING THE GREEK WEDDING CEREMONY, A PRAYER IS READ REGARDING
THE ROLE OF HUSBAND AS RULER OF THE HOUSEHOLD AND THE
RULER OF HIS WIFE. IF THE BRIDE HAS ANY OBJECTION TO
THIS, SHE DISCREETLY TAPS THE GROOM'S FOOT WITH HER RIGHT
FOOT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Ceremony BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
DURING THE GREEK BAPTISMAL RITES, THE BABY IS ANOINTED
ON THE CHEST TO SIGNIFY THE LOVE FOR GOD IN HIS HEART,
ON THE BACK TO SIGNIFY CARRYING HIS CROSS FOR LIFE AND
ON THE PALMS AND FEET AS REMINDERS OF THE CRUCIFIXION.
AT THIS POINT THE GREEKS BELIEVE THAT THE CHILD IS
BLAMELESS, SPOTLESS, AND WITHOUT SIN, A SAINT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Baptism Naming rite BELIEF -- Body part Senses |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
PEOPLE WHO HAVE SIX FINGERS INSTEAD OF FIVE ARE REGARDED
AS PEOPLE WITH GOOD LUCK. WHOEVER MAKE A DEAL WITH THEM WILL BE
LUCKY TOO.
Submitter comment: HE WAS EXCITED WHILE NARRATING THE ITEM.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Sixths / Six Favorites BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Work Commerce Business BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 00-00-1967
IF A WOMAN USED TO GIVE BIRTH TO ABIKU (A CHILD THAT DIES)
SHE CAN BE FREED OF THIS ORDEAL BY CONSULTING AN HERBALIST.
IF SHE HAS ANOTHER CHILD, SHE WILL TAKE HER TO AN HERBALIST WHO
WILL PERFORM A KIND OF RITUAL FOR THE BABY WHICH WILL INVOLVE
MAKING SOME MARKS ON THE FACE OF THE CHILD WITH BLADE, THEN HE WILL
PUT SOME BLACK MAGIC POWDER ON THE FRESH MARKS HE HAS JUST CUT.
THE MARKS ON THE CHILD'S FACE WILL DRY UP AFTER TWO DAYS, THUS THE
CHILD WILL NOT BE AN "ABIKU". THERE IS USUALLY ONE ONE-INCH
MARK ON EACH CHEEK BONE AT ITS HIGHEST POINT.
Where learned: NIGERIA ; KADUNA
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 00-00-1974
IF SOMEONE TAKES SOME OF YOUR HAIR, WRAP IT AROUND A DIME,AND
PUT IT IN A LOFT, YOU WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO LEAVE THAT PERSON.
Where learned: MISSISSIPPI
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color |
A PERSON CAN PUT YOUR HAIR AND A PIECE OF YOUR UNDERCLOTH
IN A JAR,BLOW SMOKE ON IT COVER IT PUT IT UNDER YOUR PORCH,
AND EVERYTIME YOU TRY TO GO IN YOUR HOUSE YOU WILL GET SICK.
Where learned: LOUISIANA
Date learned: 01111984CA
A PERSON CAN TAKE SOME OF YOUR HAIR,BORE A HOLE IN A TREE,
PUT YOUR HAIR IN IT AND DRIVE YOU CRAZY, THE ONLY WAY YOU
CAN STOP IT IS CUT ALL OF YOUR HAIR OFF AND CLEAN YOUR HEAD.
Where learned: LOUISIANA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
BAD LUCK WITH A BROOM
IF YOU SWEEP SOMEONE'S FOOT WITH A BROOM, THEY MUST SPIT ON THE
BROOM TO GET RID OF THE BAD LUCK YOU GAVE THEM.
Where learned: DETROIT ; PARENTS HOME
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Bad luck Broom Sweeping BELIEF -- Conversions |
MAY RAIN
IF YOU CATCH THE FIRST RAIN IN MAY IN A BUCKET AND BOIL IT AND
WASH YOUR HAIR WITH IT, YOUR HAIR WILL GROW.
Where learned: HOME ; DETROIT ; PARENTS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- May BELIEF -- P 68 P 68.1 BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew |
Date learned: 02-21-1984
IF A PREGNANT WOMAN IS FRIGHTENED AND SHE TOUCHES A PART OF HER
BODY SHE WOULD GIVE THE CHILD A BIRTHMARK IN THAT SPOT. THE SHAPE
OF THE MARK WOULD RELATE TO WHATEVER CAUSED THE FEAR. MY
MOTHER-IN-LAW BELIEVED THAT THAT WAS WHY MY OLDEST DAUGHTER HAS A
WHEEL SHAPED BIRTHMARK ON THE BACK OF HER LEG. A WHEEL FELL OFF
OF OUR CAR WHEN I WAS PREGNANT AND SHE THINKS I MUST HAVE GRABED
MY LEG AND GIVEN CATHY THE BIRTHMARK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Sun BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 01-15-1984