Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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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: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's BELIEF -- Good luck BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 03-27-1970
IN CZECHOSLOVAKIA, GOOD LUCK WOULD COME TO A HOUSEHOLD IF
ON NEW YEAR'S DAY, A PROSPEROUS MAN WAS THE FIRST ONE TO
COME INTO ONE'S HOUSE.
Submitter comment: FROM MY MOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's BELIEF -- Good luck BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 03-02-1970
A MAN WITH BLACK HAIR SHOULD BE THE FIRST ONE IN THE
HOUSE ON NEW YEAR'S DAY. THIS IS FOR GOOD LUCK.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT'S MOTHER BELIEVED FIRMLY IN THIS CUSTOM.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's BELIEF -- Good luck BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 03-17-1972
A DARK-HAIRED MAN MUST BE THE FIRST TO ENTER YOUR HOUSE
ON NEW YEAR'S DAY TO BRING GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's BELIEF -- Good luck BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 04-00-1972
THE FIRST ONE TO COME THROUGH THE DOOR ON NEW YEAR'S DAY
SHOULD BE A MAN, FOR GOOD LUCK. IF IT'S A WOMAN, IT'S
BAD LUCK. ALSO APPLIES TO THE FIRST PERSON WHO CALLS
YOU ON THE PHONE ON NEW YEAR'S DAY.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT'S FATHER BELIEVED STRONGLY.
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's BELIEF -- Good luck BELIEF -- Bad luck BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 02-12-1972
AMONG THE UKRAINIANS, THE FIRST TO ENTER THE HOUSE ON
NEW YEAR'S DAY FORETELLS THE WAY THE NEW YEAR WILL TURN
OUT. THEREFORE, YOUNG BOYS GO FROM HOUSE TO HOUSE
TO BRING NEW YEAR'S GREETINGS, RECITE A SPECIAL VERSE,
AND THEN SCATTER GRAINS OF WHEAT OR OTHER SEED OVER
THE FLOOR AS A SYMBOL OF GOOD LUCK AND GENERAL PROSPERITY
FOR THE COMING YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's BELIEF -- Good luck BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 10-00-1970
NO TRASH MAY BE THROWN OUT ON NEW YEAR'S DAY.
OTHERIWSE ALL ONE'S GOOD LUCK FOR THE NEW YEAR WILL
GO WITH IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's BELIEF -- Good luck BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 01-01-1970
YULE LOG
EVERY NEW YEAR'S DAY YOU SHOULD CUT THE FIRST LOG OF THE
YEAR AND HOLLOW IT OUT. THEN SPOTLESSLY CLEANING OUT
YOUR FIREPLACE, YOU SHOULD BURN IT TO ASHES ALL BY
ITSELF. THIS WILL BRING ALL WHO LIVE IN THE HOUSE
GOOD LUCK ALL YEAR.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT WAS TOLD THIS BY HIS FATHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 02-13-1972
IT IS A CUSTOM TO CLEAN THE CHIMNEY ON NEW YEAR'S DAY
SO THAT GOOD LUCK CAN DESCEND INTO THE HOUSE AND REMAIN
THERE ALL YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 10-28-1967
SPRINKLE LIME POWDER BEHIND DOORS ON NEW YEAR'S DAY FOR
GOOD LUCK.
Submitter comment: FROM MOTHER.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 11-11-1967
WIGILIA--TRADITIONAL POLISH CHRISTMAS EVE SUPPER
AT OUR HOME, WE STILL PRACTICE THE TRADITIONAL WAY OF
CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS EVE, "WIGILJA." IT IS A FAMILY
HOLIDAY AND THE SUPPER STARTS IN THE EVENING WHEN THE
FIRST STAR APPEARS.
THE SUPPER ITSELF CONSISTS OF 12 COURSES IN HONOR OF THE
12 APOSTLES. THE OLDEST MEMBER STARTS BY TAKING THE
"OPLATEK," A WHITE WAFER MADE OF FLOUR AND WATER, AND
BREAKS IT WITH THE NEXT OLDEST MEMBER, WISHING EACH OTHER
LUCK AND HAPPINESS. THE BREAKING OF THE WAFER AND GOOD
WISHES CONTINUE BETWEEN EVERYONE ELSE. THIS IS A
PRACTICE WE DO TO THIS DAY.
THIS FINISHED, EVERYONE SITS DOWN TO EAT. IT'S A CUSTOM
TO HAVE AN EVEN NUMBER OF PEOPLE AT THE TABLE FOR GOOD
LUCK. THERE IS AN EMPTY CHAIR LEFT AND PLACE SETTING FOR
AN ABSENT MEMBER OR FRIEND. HAY IS PLACED BENEATH THE
TABLE CLOTH IN THE CENTER OF THE TABLE IN REMEMBERANCE OF
CHRIST'S HUMBLE BIRTH.
ALL COURSES SERVED ARE MEATLESS. FIRST THERE IS HERRING,
MARINATED OR IN OLIVE OIL. NEXT IS "BARCZCY, BEET ROOT SOUP
WITH "USZKI," TINY DUMPLINGS STUFFED WITH MUSHROOMS.
THEN TWO KINDS OF FISH ARE SERVED, FRIED OR IN GELATIN
WITH HORSERADISH. THEN SAUERKRAUT WITH MUSHROOMS. NEXT
IS SERVED THE MILLET WITH PRUNES OR "KASZA JAGLONA." THEN
THERE ARE CHEESE DUMPLINGS FOLLOWED BY STEWED FRUIT OF
APPLES, PEARS, AND PRUNES. THE MEAL IS COMPLETED WITH
TEA OR COFFEE AND DIFFERENT CAKES FOR THE SEASON, SUCH AS
POPPY SEED, ALMONDS, OR COFFEE CAKE, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS
"BABKA."
AFTER SUPPER, EVERYBODY SINGS CHRISTMAS CAROLS BY THE LIT
CHRISTMAS TREE. WE BEGIN WITH "WSROD NOCNEZ CISZY," AT
MIDNIGHT'S SILENCE.. OTHER FAVORITES ARE "DZISIAJ IR
BETLEJEM"-TODAY IN BETHLEHEM, "GDY SIE CHRYSTUS RODGI,"
WHEN CHRIST IS BORN, "LULAJZE JEZUNIU," ROCK A BYE BABY
JESUS, AND "PRZYBIEZELIDO BETLEJIM POSTERZE," SHEPHERDS
COME TO BETHLEHEM.
AFTER THE CAROLS, PRESENTS ARE OPENED FROM UDNER THE TREE
AND AT MIDNIGHT THE CHRISTMAS MIDNIGHT MASS IS ATTENDED.
James Callow comment:
TRANSCRIBED FROM HANDWRITTEN 5 X 8 CARD. SPELLING MAY BE
WRONG FOR THIS REASON.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
Date learned: 10-28-1967
AN OLD CHRISTMAS EVE CUSTOM
ON CHRISTMAS EVE, THE FIRST THING IN THE MORNING, WE WERE
GIVEN SOME SILVER MONEY. WE KEPT THE MONEY IN OUR HANDS
ALL THE TIME WE WASHED OURSELVES. WE DID THIS TO HAVE
GOOD LUCK ALL YEAR LONG. THE IMPORTANT THING WAS THAT
THE MONEY HAD TO BE SILVER.
Submitter comment:
WE DID THIS, AS CHILDREN, FOR AS LONG AS I REMEMBERED.
EVEN AS AN ADOLESCENT AND SOMEWHAT BEYOND, I PARTICIPATED
IN THE RITUAL WITH THE REST OF THE FAMILY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Beliefs BELIEF -- Prayer BELIEF -- Use of Object BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 04-00-1965
KISS OF PEACE: ON CHRISTMAS DAY, KISS EVERYONE IN THE
FAMILY--A SYMBOL OF PEACE AND GOOD LUCK IN THE FAMILY.
Submitter comment:
SHE LEARNED THIS FROM HER MOTHER AND IT IS STILL
PRACTICED IN HER FAMILY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MADISON HEIGHTS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below. BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 12-01-1967
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
SETSUBUR IS THE CEREMONY PERFORMED ON THE EVE OF THE
SPRINGTIDE.
SETSUBUR WAS BORN FROM THE OLD BELIEF THAT THE GODS VISIT
EVERY HOUSE AND BRING IT GOOD LUCK. ON THE NIGHT OF
SETSUBUR THE JAPANESE FAMILY THROWS PARCHED BEANS BOTH
INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE HOUSE, CRYING "FUKU WA UCKI! ONI
WA SOK!" WHICH MEANS, "IN WITH LUCK, OUT WITH DEVILS."
IT IS SAID IN THIS WAY SICKNESS AND EVIL CAN BE DRIVEN
OUT AND HAPPINESS ENJOYED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; JAPAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting F663.9 BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 11-11-1969
CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
YOU SHOULD GROW WHEAT IN YOUR HOME TO INSURE GOOD
LUCK.
Submitter comment: SHE HEARD THIS FROM HER MOTHER.
Data entry tech comment:
SHE APPARENTLY MEANS DISPLAY WHEAT--NOT GROW IT AT HOME.
CN[ JACOB, THOMAS W.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MADISON HEIGHTS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Beliefs BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 12-01-1967
BIRTHDAY CUSTOM
THE DAY BEFORE A BIRTHDAY IS CALLED THE "PINCHING DAY."
ON THIS DAY, ONE WISHES THE PERSON GOOD LUCK BY
PINCHING HIM.
THE DAY AFTER THE BIRTHDAY IS CALLED THE "KISSING DAY."
ON THIS DAY, ONE WISHES THE PERSON GOOD LUCK BY KISSING
HIM.
THESE WERE POPULAR WHEN I WAS IN GRADE SCHOOL, BUT I
HAVEN'T HEARD OF THEM SINCE.
Submitter comment: I LEARNED THEM IN SOUTHWEST DETROIT (MICHIGAN).
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Private birthday or anniversary BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 10-00-1967
THERE IS A POLISH CUSTOM WHERE THEY HAVE A CHRISTMAS
WAFER AND FOR EASTER A HARD BOILED EGG. ANYONE
WHO TAKES A BITE OF YOUR EGG OR WAFER WILL HAVE
GOOD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
CHRIS LEARNED THIS FROM HER MOTHER AND IT'S PRACTICED
IN THEIR HOME STILL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 F642.28 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter eggs CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 02-24-1970
GOOD LUCK OMEN AFTER RAIN
THE OIL IN THE STREET AFTER IT RAINS--ALL KINDS OF
DIFFERENT COLORS--WELL, IF YOU STEP IN IT, IT MEANS
GOOD LUCK.
Submitter comment: POPULAR TRADITION IN GLOUCESTER, OHIO
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; OHIO ; DETROIT ; GLOUCESTER
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 05-11-1965
MY GRANDFATHER HAD A FRIEND WHO HAD A RED CEILING IN
HIS KITCHEN. HIS FRIEND BELIEVED THAT IF HIS
CEILING WERE RED, THIS WOULD STOP PEOPLE FROM COMING
OVER WHO HAD EVIL DOINGS IN MIND. THE RED CEILING
WOULD KEEP BAD LUCK OUT AND GOOD LUCK IN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Sign Color BELIEF -- Good luck BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN