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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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ON LITTLE CHRISTMAS (JANUARY 7) WE HAVE A NICE DINNER WITH THE WHOLE
FAMILY AND RECOGNIZE THAT IT IS THE DAY THE THREE KINGS WENT TO THE
MANGER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROCHESTER HILLS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 7 |
Date learned: CA00001963
FOLKLORE OF EPIPHANY
IN CANADA, A SMALL CROWN IS BAKED IN A CAKE. THE PERSON WHO GETS
THE CROWN IN HIS PIECE IS THE "KING" FOR THE DAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany |
BLESSING HOUSES WITH HOLY WATER
ON EPIPHANY DAY, THE DAY CHRIST WAS BAPTIZED, WATER
BLESSED IN THE CHURCH IS DISTRIBUTED TO THE FAITHFUL.
THE WATER IS TAKEN HOME AND IT IS SPRINKLED IN EVERY
ROOM IN THE HOUSE.
Submitter comment:
THE WATER THAT IS BLESSED IN THE CHURCH SYMBOLIZES
THE WATER THAT CHRIST WAS BAPTIZED. SPRINKLING IT IN
EVERY ROOM IN THE HOUSE BRINGS GOOD LUCK TO THOSE
THAT LIVE THERE.
THIS IS A GREEK-AMERICAN CUSTOM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CENTERLINE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Home CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church BELIEF -- Water BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: CA00001964
SERBIAN CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
THE SERBIAN COMMUNITY OF DUQUESNE, PENNSYLVANIA OBSERVED
THE RUSSIAN ORTHODOX 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS BY SPREADING
STRAW ON THE FLOOR, THE KITCHEN TABLE, AND THROUGHOUT THE
KITCHEN TO REPRESENT JESUS' MANGER. A BURNING CANDLE WAS
PLACED ON THE TABLE AND IT WAS CONSIDERED BAD LUCK FOR THE
ENTIRE YEAR IF THE CANDLE WENT OUT. MY MOTHER WITNESSED
THE PRACTICE IN DUQUESNE, PENNSYLVANIA AROUND 1947.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT'S MOTHER'S NAME IS MARY MORSILLO GINGERICH,
BORN OCTOBER 3, 1937, FARRELL, PENNSYLVANIA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
Date learned: 09-00-1982
EPIPHANY-JANUARY 6
FOR UKRAINIANS VARIOUS EVENTS ARE COMMEMORATED ON THIS
DAY WHICH IS ALSO CALLED "THEOPHANY" OR MANIFESTATION. IT
CELEBRATES THE BAPTISM OF CHRIST AND THEREFORE WATER IS
BLESSED IN THE CHURCHES. THE BLESSING FOLLOWS THE MASS
WHEN THE PRIEST SUBMERGES THREE SETS OF THREE LIGHTED
CANDLES. A CRUCIFIX IS ALSO MOVED THROUGH THE WATER IN
THE FORM OF A CROSS. THE PEOPLE FILL THEIR JARS WITH HOLY
WATER TO BRING HOME. EACH PERSON DRINKS SOME HOLY WATER
AND SOME IS POURED INTO THE HOLY WATER FONTS. IN THE WEEKS
FOLLOWING EPIPHANY, THE PASTOR VISITS THE HOMES OF HIS
PARISHONERS TO BLESS THEM. THE HOLY WATER IS ALSO USED FOR
BLESSING FARMS, CATTLE, AND CROPS. ON SPECIAL FEAST DAYS,
THE CHURCH ALSO BLESSES FRUIT, FLOWERS, AND FOOD. IT IS ALSO
USED IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE SACRAMENTS.
Submitter comment:
TO UKRAINIANS ALL BODIES OF WATER SUCH AS LAKES, RIVERS,AND
PONDS WERE CONSIDERED HOLY. THE BLESSING OF WATER IN THE
UKRAINE TOOK PLACE AT THE EDGE OF THE RIVER NOT IN THE
PARISH CHURCH.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; ROCHESTER
Keyword(s): THREE
Date learned: 00001950S
EPIPHANY CEREMONY
EACH YEAR ON THE FEAST OF EPIPHANY, JANUARY 6, THE FATHER
USING A WHITE CHALK, MAKES A CROSS OVER EACH DOORWAY.
NEXT TO THE CROSS HE WRITES THE YEAR. IT'S SYMBOLIC OF
ASKING GOD'S BLESSING ON ANYONE WHO ENTERS THE ROOMS
FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR. THE CROSS, SYMBOLIC OF CHRIST,
REMINDED EACH PERSON THAT GOD MANIFESTED HIMSELF AT THE
BAPTISM OF JESUS IN THE JORDAN RIVER.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SHAMOKIN
Date learned: 00001970S
UKRAINIAN EPIPHANY
SOME UKRAINIANS FOLLOW THE OLD CALENDAR AND FOR THEM THE
EPIPHANY IS CHRISTMAS EVE. FOR OUR FAMILY IT IS ON JANUARY 6
AND IT IS CALLED CHEDRY VECHER AND WE BASICALLY EAT THE SAME
MEAL AS AT CHRISTMAS BUT INSTEAD OF CAROLS BETWEEN THE COURSES
WE SING SCHEDIVKY. THESE SONGS ARE MORE FOLKISH THAN RELIGIOUS
LIKE THE CAROLS. AGAIN WE GO TO CHURCH FOR MIDNIGHT MASS AND THE
THE NEXT DAY WE EAT THE SAME MEAL AGAIN. AT MASS THEY BLESS THE
HOLY WATER FOR THE NEXT YEAR. IT IS A VERY INVOLVED CEREMONY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 5 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany |
ON EPIPHANY IN THE MORNING, WE'D GO TO MASS AND BRING
FRANKINCENSE AND MYRHH AND A BIT OF GOLD TO BE BLESSED.
WHEN WE GOT HOME, THE FRANKINCENSE WOULD BE PUT ON HOT COALS
AND WE'D WALK WITH IT THEN ALL OVER THE HOUSE, INTO EVERY
ROOM WITH IT, I GUESS IT WAS SUPPOSED TO DRIVE OUT EVIL SPIRITS
OR CLEAN THE AIR FOR GOOD ONES OR SOMETHING, I DON'T REALLY
KNOW... ANYWAY, AFTER WE FINISHED GOING THROUGH THE HOUSE,
OVER EACH DOORWAY IN THE HOUSE, WE'D WRITE IN CHALK
A " K " THEN A CROSS, THEN A " M ", THEN ANOTHER CROSS, AND
A " B " . THE THREE LETTERS WERE THE INITIALS OF THE NAMES OF
THE THREE WISE MEN WHO CAME TO SEE THE BABY JESUS. YOU HAD TO
LEAVE THE CHALK UP ALL YEAR LONG; IF YOU WASHED THE WALLS,
YOU WASH AROUND THE CHALK. IT WAS BAD LUCK IF YOU WIPED IT OFF
BEFORE THE NEXT YEAR'S EPIPHANY.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS AN OLD POLISH-CATHOLIC CUSTOM. MRS. MASTERS GREW UP
IN ST. HEDWIG'S PARISH, WHERE MANY OLD WORLD TRADITIONS LIVED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany BELIEF -- Measure of time Year BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 11-00-1983
POLISH CUSTOM FOR EPIPHANY
FOR EPIPHANY ONE WOULD GO TO CHURCH AND GET CHALK
AND INCENSE. WITH THE CHALK ONE WOULD WRITE ABOVE THE
DOORWAY TO ONE'S HOME THE NUMBER OF THE NEW YEAR AND THE
INITIALS OF THE THREE KINGS. IT WOULD LOOK LIKE THIS:
19 + K + M + B + 84
THIS STOOD FOR PROSPERITY AND HAPPINESS IN THE NEW YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Farmington Hills
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany |
Date learned: 12-00-1983
"LES ROIS MAGES"(THREE-KINGS DAY)
THREE-KINGS DAY IS USUALLY CELEBRATED ON JANUARY 6, AND PEOPLE
BAKE OR BUY CAKES, AND INSIDE THESE CAKES THERE IS A SMALL
OBJECT, AND THE PERSON THAT FINDS THIS OBJECT IS THE KING. SUCH
PERSON IS GIVEN A GOLDEN CROWN MADE OUT OF HARD PAPER, AND HE
OR SHE WEARS IT ALL DAY LONG. SOMETIMES CHILDREN ALSO RECEIVE
GIFTS ON THAT DAY.
Submitter comment:
THIS SMALL OBJECT INSIDE THE CAKE COULD BE A RING, A COIN, A
SUGAR-COATED ALMOND, ETC.
Where learned: GUADELOUPE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany |
Date learned: 00-00-1967
CHRISTMAS IN ITALY
THIS IS THE WAY MRS. POPP CELEBRATED CHRISTMAS
UNTIL SHE WAS SEVEN YEARS OLD, WHEN SHE AND HER FAMILY
MOVED TO AMERICA, LEAVING THE TRADITIONS IN ITALY.
CHRISTMAS IN ITALY STARTS IN EARLY FALL AND ENDS ON JANUARY 6
WITH THE ARRIVAL OF LA BAFANA, SANTA'S ASSISTANT.
IN THE EARLY FALL THE YOUNG CHILDREN WOULD GO HOUSE TO
HOUSE BEGGING FOR WOOD, PREPARING FOR THE MOST EXCITING
PART OF THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY, THE GIANT BONFIRE. EVERY YEAR
THE BIGGEST THICKEST LOG, CALLED THE YULE LOG WAS SAVED
THROUGHOUT THE YEAR FOR GOOD LUCK. INSTEAD OF A CHRISTMAS
TREE ITALIANS SET UP A PRESEPIO, AN ELABORATE MODEL OF
BETHLEHEM. THE CRADLE WAS LEFT EMPTY UNTIL CHRISTMAS EVE
WHEN A SPECIAL CHILD WAS GIVEN THE HONOR OF PLACING THE
SMALL STATUE IN THE CRADLE. AT THE CENONE (GREAT BIG DINNER)
SEVEN DIFFERENT KINDS OF FISH ARE SERVED. BEFORE THE FAMILY
GOES TO BED THEY LEAVE CAKES AND CANDY ON THE TABLE AS AN OPEN
INVITATION FOR MARY AND HER SMALL CHILD TO SPEND THE NIGHT.
THIS WAS THEIR WAY OF TELLING MARY THAT THEY NEVER WANTED HER
TO LOOK FOR A PLACE TO LAY HER CHILD, SHE WAS ALWAYS WELCOME
IN THEIR HOMES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 02-00-1984
Before the Gregorian calendar was placed into effect by Pope
Gregory XIII in 1582, Christmas was celebrated on January sixth
according to the Julian calendar which was created by Julius Caesar
in about 46 B.C. The calendar was accepted in France in 1582 but it
was not until 1752 that Great Britain decided to adopt it. My
informant is not sure when Greece accepted the new calendar because
even though Christmas in Greece is celebrated on December 25,
tradition is still to celebrate Christmas on January sixth. My
informant assumes, however, that it was accepted around the same time
Europe (France) accepted it in 1582ca.
Where learned: GREECE
Keyword(s): EPIPHANY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below. |
Date learned: 00001943CA
Each year on the 6th of January, which is known as Epiphany,
after morning liturgy, the minister and the entire congregation of
some Greek churches go to a dock on the seafront, the minister
carrying a cross of silver or gold that stands about six inches high
by four inches wide. After the minister blesses the cross, he throws
it into the sea. Then boys ages 16 to 32 (32 symbolizing the age of
Jesus at his death) leap off the dock and into the sea searching
frantically for the cross. The one who finds it is said to be blessed
for the duration of the year.
Submitter comment:
According to my informant, the minister and the select group of
boys may go on a boat just off shore instead of on the dock with the
congregation cheering them on from the shore. I was also told that
the cross, to the best of my informant's knowledge, has
always been found.
Where learned: GREECE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Measure of time Year BELIEF -- Prayer BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications BELIEF -- Number P686.1.16 BELIEF -- Number P686.1.32 BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 00001943CA
SLOVAK CUSTOM
ON THE FEAST OF THE THREE KINGS (JANUARY 6) THE SLOVAKS HAVE
A CUSTOM IN WHICH THE PARISH PRIEST VISITS EACH HOME IN THE
AREA. AS HE ENTERS THE HOUSE, HE WRITES IN CHALK THE SYMBOL
OF THE THREE KINGS OVER THE THRESHOLD OF ONE'S DOOR. THEN,
THE ENTIRE HOUSE IS BLESSED.
James Callow comment: THIS IS BACKLOG MATERIAL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany |
Date learned: 10-02-1971
IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, A FESTIVAL IS HELD EVERY JANUARY 6.
THE MAIN EVENT IS A PARADE THROUGH TOWN CONSISTING OF STEEL
BANDS, INSTRUMENTS MADE FROM OIL DRUMS, SCHOOL CHILDREN, AND
A REPRESENTATIVE GROUP FROM EACH ISLAND. AT THE END OF THE
PARADE IS A SMALL CEMENT MIXER FULL OF RUM WHICH HAS
A STREAM OF RUM POURING FROM IT. PEOPLE ARE RUNNING AFTER
IT WITH PAPER CUPS. I WAS DOWN THERE FOR THIS FESTIVAL
TWO YEARS AGO. IT WAS THE MOST CHAOTIC, RIOTOUS, DRUNKEN
EVENT I'VE EVER SEEN. NO DOUBT, A GOOD TIME WAS HAD BY ALL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; VIRGIN ISLANDS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
POLISH FEAST OF THE THREE KINGS
ON JANUARY 6, THE FEAST OF THE THREE KINGS, PRIESTS
VISIT THE HOMES OF POLISH CATHOLICS BEARING CHALK,
MYRRH, AND INCENSE. THEY BLESS THE HOUSE AND WRITE
THE NAMES OF THE THREE KINGS OVER THE DOORWAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BALTHAZAR ; KASPAR ; MELCHIOR
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany |
Date learned: 11-00-1968
POLISH
THIS IS A POLISH TRADITION OF PUTTING THE FIRST INITIAL OF
EACH OF THE THREE KINGS OVER THE PORTALS OF EVERY DOOR
IN THE HOUSE, (THE POLISH INITIALS READ K.M.B.) IN WHITE
CHALK, DURING THE FEAST OF THE THREE KINGS, JANUARY 6.
THE PURPOSE OF THIS CUSTOM IS TO KEEP OUT EVIL DURING
THE COMING YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BALTHAZAR ; KASPAR ; MELCHIOR
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
MEXICAN
IN MEXICO, CHRISTMAS GIFTS ARE GIVEN ON JANUARY 6. THE
CAKE SERVED ON THIS DAY IS A CIRCULAR CAKE WITH A
PORCELAIN DOLL BAKED INSIDE.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT LEARNED OF THIS CUSTOM DURING HIS VISIT
TO MEXI
IN 1968.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany |
Date learned: 10-25-1971 ; 00-00-1968
ON THE FEAST OF THE THREE KINGS, THE PARISH PRIEST WOULD
COME AROUND TO THE HOUSE, BLESS IT AND PUT THE LETTERS
KMB AND THE YEAR ON THE DOOR WITH CHALK.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; GLENVIEW
Keyword(s): BALTHAZAR ; KASPAR ; MELCHIOR
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany |
Date learned: 11-29-1970
IN FRANCE AND AMONG FRENCH FAMILIES, IT IS CUSTOMARY
TO BURY A STATUETTE OF A LITTLE KING INSIDE CAKES ON
JANUARY 6, THE FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany |
Date learned: 02-03-1970