Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for F122 returned 335 results.
CHRISTMAS BELIEF
NO CHRIST CHILD IN THE MANGER BEFORE CHRISTMAS EVE.
Submitter comment: SHE WILL NOT PUT THE FIGURE IN THE MANGER BEFORE THEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
| Subject headings: | Custom CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Manger scenes BELIEF -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 01-20-1971
MYTH
SANTA CLAUS- A FAT JOLLY OLD MAN WITH A WHITE BEARD WHO LIVES AT
THE NORTH POLE AND DISTRIBUTES GIFTS ON CHRISTMAS EVE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
James Callow Keyword(s): COLOR
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve BELIEF -- Supernatural Being |
Date learned: 11-00-1968
CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
THE ARMENIAN SANTA CLAUS IS CALLED BUFFANA. IT IS A LEGEND
THAT AT CHRISTMAS TIME BUFFANA GOES THROUGH ALL THE STREETS OF
ARMENIA AND PASSES OUT PRESENTS TO ALL THE POOR CHILDREN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 BELIEF -- Religious hero SPEECH -- Proper Name |
Date learned: 02-26-1971
SANTA CLAUS
ONE OF THE MOST WIDESPREAD LEGENDS I CAN THINK OF IS THAT
OF SANTA CLAUS. NOT ONLY IN THE UNITED STATES, BUT IN MANY
COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD, IT IS BELIEVED THAT THERE IS SOME
KIND OF JOLLY OLD MAN WHO BRINGS TOYS AND PRESENTS TO ALL GOOD
LITTLE BOYS AND GIRLS AT CHRISTAMS TIME.
Where learned: CHICAGO
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 BELIEF -- Secular hero |
Date learned: 00-00-1955
TOMTEN
TOMTEN IS A VERY SMALL AND VERY OLD MAN WITH A LONG BEARD.
HE LIVES IN STABLES AND SHEDS ON THE FARMS AND HE PROTECTS
THE FARMER FROM ILLNESS AND MISFORTUNE AND GIVES THE FARMER
RICHES AND HAPPINESS. TOMTEN IS A VERY IRRITABLE OLD MAN
AND YOU HAVE TO MAKE A FUSS WITH HIM NOW AND THEN AND ON CHRISTMAS
EVE A PLATE WITH PORRIDGE MADE OF RICE IS PUT INTO THE STABLE
SO THE LITTLE MAN CAN HAVE IT. THE SWEDISH JULTOMTEN, FATHER
CHRISTMAS, COMES FROM THE LEGEND OF TOMTEN.
James Callow comment:
PUTTING OF RICE IN THE BARN FOR THE "NISSES"--CHRISTMAS
ELVES--IS A COMMON MOTIF IN SCANDINAVIAN FOLKTALES.
ODDLY, THOMPSON SHOWS NOTHING.--F. M. PAULSEN
Where learned: SWEDEN
OPLATEK
BEFORE THE EVENING MEAL ON CHRISTMAS EVE, OPLATEK IS SERVED TO
EVERYONE PRESENT.
OPLATEK IS A THIN UNLEVEN(ED) WAFER SIMILAR TO THE HOST IN A CATHOLIC
CHURCH. EACH PERSON BREAKS OFF A SMALL PIECE OF ANOTHER'S
WAFER, WISHING HIM GOOD LUCK FOR THE COMING YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 |
THE CHRISTMAS TREE
ALL THE CHRISTMAS TREES IN POLAND ARE DECORATED WITH ORNAMENTS
MADE BY THE PEOPLE OF THE HOUSE. THESE ARE USED FROM
YEAR TO YEAR. SOMETIMES NUTS AND CRANBERRIES ARE
STRUNG TOGETHER AND THE GARLAND HUNG ON THE BRANCHES OF THE TREE.
THE LIGHTS ARE USUALLY SMALL CANDLES LIT CAREFULLY BY THE LADY
OF THE HOUSE. THE TREE IS ALWAYS DECORATED ON CHRISTMAS EVE,
LONG AFTER THE LITTLE ONES HAVE GONE TO BED.
Submitter comment: RECEIVED BY LETTER FROM POLAND SEVERAL YEARS AGO
Where learned: POLAND ; KRAKOW
James Callow Keyword(s): PLANTS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Food Drink -- Plant food Fruit Food Drink -- Plant food Nut |
Date learned: 12-01-1975
WHEN SETTING THE TABLE FOR CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER, AN EXTRA PLATE IS
ALWAYS PUT OUT FOR THE "UNINVITED GUEST." THIS IS DONE BECAUSE OF THE
BELIEF THAT CHRIST MIGHT COME TO THE HOME IN THE FORM OF A NEEDY
INDIVIDUAL SEEKING FOOD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): CHARITY ; POLISH CUSTOM
Date learned: 10-00-1975
CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
IT IS A WIDESPREAD AND WELL-KNOWN CUSTOM THAT A PIECE OF MISTLETOE
IS HUNG FROM DOORWAYS, CHANDELIERS, CEILINGS, ETC. AS A CHRISTMAS
DECORATION. IF A MAN AND WOMAN SHOULD BOTH HAPPEN TO BE STANDING
UNDER THE MISTLETOE, THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO KISS. IF ONE OF THEM IS
UNDER THE MISTLETOE ALONE, THE OTHER MAY COME UP TO KISS THEM.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS PROBABLY ONE OF THE MOST WIDESPREAD OF CHRISTMAS CUSTOMS.
PEOPLE PROBABLY FOLLOW IT BECAUSE IT IS FUN AND FITS IN WITH THE
FESTIVE HOLIDAY MOOD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): PLANT PARASITIC
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Mistletoe and other greenery SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: CA00001966
POLISH EASTER CUSTOM
ON HOLY SATURDAY, MY BROTHERS AND I USUALLY ACCOMPANIED MY MOTHER TO
CHURCH. WE TOOK WITH US FOOD THAT WOULD BE EATEN ON EASTER SUNDAY.
NOT ALL OF THE FOOD WOULD BE TAKEN, OF COURSE, BUT MERELY
REPRESENTATIVE PORTIONS. OUR BASKET WOULD CONTAIN A FEW LINKS OF
KIELBASA, SOME SLICES OF HAM, SEVERAL BOILED EGGS, A PORTION OF A
COFFEE CAKE WHICH MY MOTHER BAKED ONLY AT CHRISTMAS AND EASTER,
( AND ) SOME POTATOES WHICH WERE TO BE USED IN THE POTATO SALAD. I
BELIEVE WE WENT TO CHURCH IN THE AFTERNOON, WHEN LENT WAS
OFFICIALLY ENDED AND THERE THE PRIEST WOULD WALK UP AND DOWN THE
AISLES AND BLESS THE EASTER BASKETS WITH HOLY WATER. SOME PARISHES
IN WHICH WE LIVED DID NOT PRACTICE THIS CUSTOM AND FOR MANY YEARS WE
DID NOT HAVE OUR FOOD BLESSED. NOW, MY PARISH, WHICH IS BY NO MEANS
COMPRISED OF A POLISH ETHNIC GROUP, HAS BEGUN THE PRACTICE. THE
PEOPLE IN OUR SUBURB ARE CLAIMING THAT THIS PARISH IS THE ONLY ONE
TO DO THIS AND ( THAT ) IT IS A ROSEVILLE CUSTOM, NOT RELATED
IN ANY WAY TO POLISH CUSTOMS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM ; SWIECZONKA ; WATER
| Subject headings: | 663 Holy Saturday Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
ROUTINE ACTIVITY
INFORMANT STATED THAT CERTAIN TIMES EACH DAY WERE DESIGNATED AS
PERIODS OF SILENCE. HOWEVER, ON CHRISTMAS, EASTER, AND PENTECOST,
THE COMMUNITY OBSERVED GRAND CONGE DAY. ON THESE THREE DAYS THE
SISTERS COULD FEEL FREE TO TALK ALL DAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; SAINT RITAS CONVENT
Keyword(s): VOW OF SILENCE
Date learned: 03-01-1970
TOAST
( POLISH WORD OMITTED BECAUSE ALPHABET COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED ) --
(ENGLISH TRANSLATION "WAFER"). THIS IS BOTH A CHRISTMAS EVE AND
EASTER CUSTOM, BUT IS PRIMARILY RESERVED FOR THE POLISH LENTEN MEAL
AT EASTERTIME. THE CUSTOM IS THAT AT THIS MEAL THE OLDEST MEMBER OF
THE IMMEDIATE FAMILY (IN INFORMANT'S CASE, HIS GRANDFATHER) CRACKS
OFF A BIT OF THIS SPECIAL WAFER AND GIVES IT TO THE PERSON NEXT TO
HIM WISHING THEM ( HIM ) "GOOD HEALTH", "HAPPINESS", ETC.
Where learned: TELEPHONE ; TOLD BY
Keyword(s): FAMILY UNITY ; FOOD CUSTOM
Date learned: 11-02-1971
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.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM
Date learned: 11-02-1971
RELIGIOUS CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
CALLED THE OPLATKI. IT IS A BLESSED WAFER ON WHICH YOU PUT HONEY AND
A WALNUT. A GOOD WALNUT REPRESENTS GOOD HEALTH. THEY ALSO USED TO
PUT GARLIC ON IT TO CHASE AWAY THE EVIL SPIRITS. SHE SAID THAT THIS
TASTED AWFUL.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A SLOVAK CUSTOM THAT IS HARD TO PRACTICE BECAUSE OF THE
DIFFICULTY IN ACQUIRING A BLESSED HOST.
Where learned: OHIO ; CLEVELAND
Date learned: 10-00-1976
RELIGIOUS CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
MOTHER WOULD SAY IN SLOVAK WHAT ARE YOU BRINGING? WE WOULD ANSWER
THE NEW BORN JESUS. THEN THE MOTHER WOULD KNOCK THREE TIMES AND THEY
WOULD ANSWER PRAISE BE TO JESUS CHRIST. THEN SHE WOULD BLESS US
WITH HOLY WATER.
Submitter comment:
A SLOVAK FRIEND OF THE INFORMANT TOLD HER THIS CUSTOM WHICH SHE SAYS
IS STILL IN PRACTICE TODAY IN MANY SLOVAK HOMES.
Where learned: OHIO ; CLEVELAND
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 10-00-1976
ITALIAN-AMERICAN COOKING
AT CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER, MEAT IS NEVER SERVED. INSTEAD, ITALIAN-
AMERICANS DINE ON DIFFERENT KINDS OF FISH AND ROASTED CHESTNUTS.
Submitter comment: REALLY ENJOYS TALKING ABOUT ITALIAN COOKING.
Date learned: 10-00-1976
CUSTOM ON ST. ANDREW'S
IN POLAND, ON ST. ANDREW'S DAY, NOVEMBER 30, THE GIRLS WOULD POUR
HOT WAX ON TO WATER. WHEN THE PIECES OF WAX WERE REMOVED FROM THE
WATER, THEY WERE TO INDICATE THE GIRLS' FUTURE. THE SHAPE OF THE
WAX WOULD SUGGEST COMING CHRISTMAS PRESENTS AND HER FUTURE HUSBAND
PERHAPS.
Submitter comment: MY MOTHER REMEMBERS THIS FROM HER CHILDHOOD IN POLAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F113 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below. BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 11-28-1967
CUSTOM
A BRANCH FROM A CHERRY TREE WILL BLOOM, THAT IS, BLOSSOM ON CHRISTMAS
IF IT IS PICKED ON ST. BARBARA'S FEAST DAY, DECEMBER 4, AND
PLACED IN WATER.
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F120 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below. BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: NO DATE INDICATED.
THE HUNGARIAN CHRISTMAS
SANTA CLAUS COMES ON THE 6TH OF DECEMBER. JESUS COMES DOWN FROM
HEAVEN ON THE NIGHT OF THE 24TH. THEY BOTH BRING PRESENTS FOR
CHILDREN AND THE ADULTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): SANTA CLAUS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 6 Feast of St. Nicholas CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 |
Date learned: 03-05-1968
I WAS TAUGHT IN GRADE SCHOOL THAT ANYONE BORN BETWEEN DECEMBER 21
AND DECEMBER 26 WOULD BE ABLE TO HAVE COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE
SPIRITS.
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): SPIRITS
Date learned: 11-11-1969