Dr. James T. Callow publications
Browse by
Questions or comments on this site? Please email davidsor@udmercy.edu.
The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for 122.7 returned 47 results.
POLISH CHRISTMAS CUSTOMS
CHRISTMAS IS A BELOVED HOLIDAY FOR THE POLISH PEOPLE. BEGINNING AT
SUNDOWN, THE FAMILY SITS DOWN TO THE EVENING MEAL. THIS MEAL IS
MEATLESS AND CONSISTS OF NINE COURSES. WHEN THE FIRST EVENING STAR
APPEARS THE MEAL BEGINS. STRAW IS PLACED UNDERNEATH A WHITE
TABLECLOTH TO SIGNIFY CHRIST'S BIRTH IN A MANGER. A CHRISTMAS WAFER
CALLED "OPLATEK" IS SHARED WITH EACH MEMBER OF THE FAMILY BEGINNING
WITH THE FATHER. GOOD HEALTH, GOD'S BLESSINGS AND JOY IS EXTENDED
TO ALL. THIS COMPLETED, THE MEAL BEGINS. THE SOUP IS CREAMED
MUSHROOM. FOLLOWING WE HAVE PIEROGI (DUMPLINGS) WITH CABBAGE OR
POTATO AND CHEESE. WE ALSO HAVE A VARIETY OF FISH. COLD HERRING,
FISH IN GELATIN (GALARECIE), BAKED FISH, RYE BREAD AND SAUR KRAUT
PREPARED WITH MUSHROOMS. COFFEE AND BABKA FOR DESERT. AFTER THE
PEOPLE RETURN FROM MIDNIGHT MASS THEY BRING OUT THE BAKED HAM AND
HOMEMADE KIELBASA WHICH EVERY GOOD POLAK MAKES HIMSELF AND THEY EAT,
DRINK AND MAKE MERRY.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share the same surname.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; informant's home ; 25940 MADISON CT, S. ; St. Clair Shores
Keyword(s): ABSTINENCE FROM MEAT ; FOOD CUSTOM
Date learned: 11-01-1971
CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEARS CUSTOMS, POLISH
THE TRADITIONAL POLISH CELEBRATION OF CHRISTMAS BEGINS BY OBSERVING
THE ADVENT SEASON, AWAITING THE FESTIVE CHRISTMAS. THIS IS
CULMINATED AT THE VIGILIA MEAL, SERVED ON CHRISTMAS EVE. THIS IS
THE TRANSITION BETWEEN ADVENT AND THE DAY ON WHICH POLES COMMEMERATE
CHRIST'S BIRTH. THE WORD VIGILIA MEANS WATCHING AND THIS IS IN
EFFECT WHAT THE PARTICIPANTS DO. THE MENU INCLUDES HERRING, WHICH IS
THE MAIN COURSE. THIS IS EATEN WITH MILK SYMBOLIZING A BITTER-SWEET
TIME OF REPENTANCE AND AWAITED JOY. UPON THE CONCLUSION OF THE MEAL
THE CHRISTMAS WAFER (OPLATEK) IS BROKEN FIRST BY THE HEAD OF THE
HOUSEHOLD AND DISTRIBUTED TO MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY, THE OLDEST
RECEIVING HIS PORTION FIRST. EACH FAMILY MEMBER IN TURN BREAKS THE
WAFER WITH ANOTHER WISHING PEACE AND GOOD WILL TO ONE ANOTHER. THE
WAFER SYMBOLIZES THE BLESSINGS OF CHRIST THAT ARE HOPED TO BE
BESTOWED DURING THE COMING YEAR. FOLLOWING THE MEAL A SZOPKA MAY BE
PRESENTED. THIS IS A PUPPET SHOW RE-ENACTING "THE NATIVITY" AND IS
SHOWN IN A SPECIALLY BUILT, RICHLY ORNATE, WOODEN STAGE. IN THIS
WAY THE CHILDREN OF THE POLISH FAMILY COME TO UNDERSTAND THE TRUE
MEANING OF CHRISTMAS.
NO MORE ACTIVITY TAKES PLACE IN THE HOME. ITS MEMBERS ASSUME A
SOMBER CONDITION OF MIND AND DEPART FOR THE MIDNIGHT MASS. THIS MASS
IS THE TRADITIONAL PASTERKA IN WHICH THE SOLEMN TONE OF THE SEASON IS
HIGHLIGHTED BY THE SINGING OF KOLENDY OR POLISH NATIONAL CHRISTMAS
CAROLS. FOLLOWING MASS THE FAMILY RETURNS HOME AND EXCHANGE GIFTS.
NEW YEAR'S EVE IS NOT CELEBRATED AS A FESTIVE EVENT, BUT THE FEAST OF
THE THREE KINGS SYMBOLIZES THE END OF THE POLISH CHRISTMAS SEASON.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY LOUNGE
Date learned: 11-26-1970
CHRISTMAS DAY IN POLAND
CHRISTMAS DAY IN POLAND FINDS THE TABLES LADEN WITH FOOD. THEIR
FAVORITE KIELBASA, HAM AND BEEF CAN BE SEEN. ALSO, THE BEST IN
POLISH WINES, THEIR FAVORITE BAKED GOODS ARE SHARED WITH FAMILY
AND FRIENDS. NEIGHBORS VISIT ONE ANOTHER AND SING KOLENDY OUTSIDE
THEIR DOORS, A CUSTOM EVERYONE THOROUGHLY ENJOYS--SO THE DAY GOES--A HAPPY TIME FOR ALL.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share same surname.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; informant's home ; St. Clair Shores ; 25940 MADISON CT., S.
| Subject headings: | 122 Christmas CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Songs, caroling |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR.
HOLIDAY MEAL
VOGELIA--IN A SPECIAL FAMILY DINNER ON CHRISTMAS OR EASTER, AN
ODD NUMBER OF COURSES ARE SERVED (7,9, OR MORE). NO MEAT IS SERVED
AT ALL, BUT FISH IS ALLOWED. EACH COURSE IS BROUGHT OUT
INDIVIDUALLY; FOR EXAMPLE, BREAD MIGHT BE FIRST, THEN
FOLLOWED BY SOUP, THEN FOLLOWED BY THE FISH OR BY FRUIT FOR DESSERT.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
James Callow comment:
Please make a copy. Label it F663
Keyword(s): ABSTINENCE FROM MEAT ; CHRISTMAS ; Easter ; FOOD ; FOOD CUSTOM ; holiday ; Menu ; tradition ; VOGELIA
| Subject headings: | 122 Christmas 686 Seven / Sevenths / Several 686 Ninths / Nine CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday |
Date learned: 11-02-1971
CUSTOM
IT IS A POLISH CUSTOM THAT NINE DIFFERENT KINDS OF FOOD ARE
EATEN ON CHRISTMAS DAY. IT STANDS FOR THE NINE MONTHS OF THE YEAR.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: RESIDENCE
Keyword(s): CUSTOM ; FOOD CUSTOM ; holiday ; POLISH ; tradition
| Subject headings: | 122 Christmas 686 Ninths / Nine |
Date learned: NOT RECORDED
A CUSTOM OF THE POLISH IS TO HAVE ON THE TABLE FOR CHRISTMAS
DINNER 7 DIFFERENT KINDS OF FOOD.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; HOLDEN HALL ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CHRISTMAS ; Dinner ; FOOD CUSTOM ; holiday ; POLISH
| Subject headings: | 122 Christmas 686 Seven / Sevenths / Several |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
CHRISTMAS DINNER
CHRISTMAS DINNER IN DENMARK. THE MAIN DISH IS DUCK, USUALLY
WITH A SWEET, RICH SAUCE. BEFORE ANYTHING ELSE IS EATEN A
DISH CALLED RISENGROD, A RICE PUDDING, IS SERVED. IN THE PUDDING
IS ONE ALMOND. THE PERSON WHO GETS THE ALMOND GETS A SPECIAL
GIFT MADE FROM MARZIPAN.
Submitter comment:
(THE INFORMANT IS) DANISH.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Keyword(s): CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; Danish ; Denmark ; DUCK ; FOOD CUSTOM ; GIFTS ; holiday ; Marzipan ; tradition
| Subject headings: | 122 Christmas |
Date learned: NOT RECORDED