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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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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
ON NEW YEAR'S IN VIETNAM, EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE ALL THEIR
DEBTS PAID UP OR THEY WILL HAVE BAD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; NEW BALTIMORE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.42 |
Date learned: 02-27-1971
ON NEW YEAR'S DAY (TET) AND FOR THREE DAYS AFTER, IF
YOU BREAK CHINA, YOU WILL HAVE BAD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; NEW BALTIMORE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- 39815 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- 39816 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 4 BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.42 |
Date learned: 02-27-1971
GREEK NEW YEAR'S CUSTOM
A SPECIAL SWEETBREAD IS MADE FOR NEW YEAR'S. A $5
SILVER PIECE KEPT ALL YEAR IN THE FAMILY ICON IS BAKED IN
THE BREAD. ON NEW YEAR'S MORNING, THE BREAD IS CUT INTO
AS MANY SLICES AS THERE ARE PEOPLE AT THE TABLE. EACH
PERSON PUTS HIS FINGER ON THE SLICE OF BREAD HE WANTS
AND EVERYBODY REMOVES HIS PIECE TOGETHER. WHOEVER GETS
THE PIECE WITH THE SILVERPIECE WILL HAVE GOOD LUCK FOR
THE YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 01-30-1967
FIRST FOOTING
MRS. SULLIVAN AND HER NEIGHBORS FIRMLY BELIEVE IN AN OLD
GERMAN AND SCOTTISH PRACTICE CALLED "FIRST FOOTING."
ACCORDING TO SUPERSTITION, THE FIRST-FOOTER, A TALL,
DARK MALE, WHO FIRST COMES TO THE HOUSE ON THE FIRST
DAY OF THE NEW YEAR MUST BRING WITH HIM A GIFT OF FOOD
AND DRINK FOR THE INHABITANTS, TO INSURE HEALTH AND
SUFFICIENT FOOD AND DRINK FOR THE ENSUING YEAR. IF
THE FIRST-FOOTER BRINGS NO SUCH GIFTS, HE WILL BRING
DISEASE AND HIS LACK OF GIFTS WILL MEAN FAMINE AND
THIRST FOR THE HOUSE'S OCCUPANTS DURING THE NEW YEAR.
MRS. SULLIVAN AND HER NEIGHBORS KEEP THEIR DOORS LOCKED
UNTIL THE HOUSE IS PROPERLY FIRST-FOOTED.
I HAVE NOTED THE EXISTENCE OF THIS PRACTICE AMONG SCOTCH
FAMILIES IN OTHER AREAS OF EAST DETROIT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FRASER
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 |
Date learned: 12-31-1966
IF YOU EAT BLACK-EYED PEAS AND COLLARD GREENS ON NEW
YEAR'S DAY, YOU WILL HAVE MONEY ALL THROUGH THE YEAR.
Submitter comment:
MY MOTHER COLLECTED THIS FROM A WOMAN WITH WHOM SHE
WORKED. MRS. HAIRSTON LEARNED IT FROM HER MOTHER
AND HER GRANDMOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 02-00-1967
IF YOU HAVE A GOOD SUPPLY OF FOOD STUFFS ON NEW YEAR'S
DAY YOU WILL HAVE A GOOD SUPPLY FOR THE REST OF
THE YEAR.
Submitter comment: LEARNED AT HOME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's BELIEF -- Measure of time Year |
Date learned: 02-14-1967
CHINESE FESTIVAL
"THE CHINESE NEW YEAR" IS CELEBRATED ON THE FIRST DAY OF
THE FIRST MOON. IT IS A TIME OF PARTY GIVING, FAMILY
REUNION, AND GENERAL MERRIMENT. THE TRADITIONAL GREETING
IS "KUNG HEI FAT CHOY." ON THIS OCCASION, WE HAVE
TO WEAR NEW CLOTHES, SHOES, AND HAVE FLOWERS AND FRUITS
IN OUR HOME, WHICH WE BELIEVE WILL BRING PROSPERITY
AND GOOD LUCK TO THE FAMILY.
Data entry tech comment:
ALWAYS BETWEEN JANUARY 21 AND FEBRUARY 19--K. LOESER.
CK SPRING
CN[ KNUFF, JEAN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Winter |
Date learned: 02-24-1968
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
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
GERMAN BELIEF: DON'T HANG A CALENDAR BEFORE THE
FIRST OF THE YEAR.
Submitter comment: BAD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's BELIEF -- Bad luck Activities |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
EACH NEW FAMILY WE VISITED, MY MOTHER INSISTED THAT
MY FATHER ENTER THE HOME FIRST. WHEN I ASKED HER
WHY, SHE SAID THAT IF A MAN (EXCLUDING ANY MALE
LIVING IN THE HOME) IS THE FIRST PERSON TO ENTER
THE HOUSE ON NEW YEAR'S DAY, THE FAMILY WILL HAVE
GOOD LUCK. BUT IF A WOMAN ENTERS THE HOUSE FIRST,
THERE WILL BE BAD LUCK FALL UPON THE HOUSE.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LEARNED THIS SUPERSTITION AS A CHILD
IN WINDLIER, PENNSYLVANIA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's BELIEF -- Bad luck Numbers |
ON NEW YEAR'S DAY IN POLAND, IN ORDER TO DECIDE WHO WOULD
GET MARRIED FIRST, GIRLS WOULD BAKE PANCAKES AND LINE
THEM UP ON THE FLOOR. THEY WOULD THEN RELEASE A CAT.
THE GIRL WHO GETS HER PANCAKE EATEN FIRST BY THE CAT
WILL GET MARRIED FIRST.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; POLAND
Date learned: 04-05-1972
GOOD LUCK NUT
NUTS ARE PLACED IN DISHES AS PART OF THE CHRISTMAS
FEAST CELEBRATION IN BULGARIA. EVERYONE IN THE
HOUSEHOLD RETAINS ONE TO BE SAVED UNTIL NEW YEAR'S
DAY. EVERYONE THEN BREAKS OPEN THEIR NUT AND THE
CONDITION OF THE INTERIOR INDICATES THE OWNER'S
FUTURE FOR THE COMING YEAR. A SOUND NUT MEAT
INDICATES PROSPERITY FOR ITS OWNER, WHILE A ROTTEN IN-
TERIOR SAYS THE COMING YEAR WILL NOT BE GOOD FOR
ITS OWNER.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT REMEMBERS THIS AS A COMMON PRACTICE OF
HIS FAMILY IN BULGARIA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; BULGARIA
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below. Food Drink -- Plant food Nut BELIEF -- Use of Object Food |
Date learned: 03-21-1970
IF YOU EAT BLACKEYED PEAS ON NEW YEAR'S DAY, THIS
WILL BRING YOU LUCK THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE YEAR.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; Greenville
Date learned: 03-24-1969
PUT A DIME IN THE BLACK EYED PEAS ON NEW YEAR'S DAY
FOR PROSPERITY.
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals Food Drink -- Plant food Vegetable |
Date learned: 06-09-1972
IN POLISH FAMILIES, THEY THROW PENNIES AROUND THE
HOUSE ON NEW YEAR'S DAY FOR PROSPERITY.
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's BELIEF -- Home BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth |
IF YOU EAT BLACK-EYED PEAS AND HOG JOWL ON NEW YEAR'S DAY,
YOU WILL HAVE MONEY ALL YEAR.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; FRANKLIN
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
IN THE INFORMANT'S WEST VIRGINIA HOME, CABBAGE WAS ALWAYS
FIXED ON NEW YEAR'S DAY AND A QUARTER COOKED IN WITH THE
GREENS. WHOEVER WAS SERVED THE SERVING OF CABBAGE THAT
CONTAINED THE QUARTER WOULD HAVE GOOD LUCK THROUGH HE
YEAR.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT SAID THAT THOUGH SHE HATED CABBAGE, SHE
Where learned: WEST VIRGINIA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's BELIEF -- Measure of time Year |
Date learned: 06-20-1972