Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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NEW YEAR GOOD LUCK TRADITION
ON NEW YEAR'S EVE THE EXCHANGEMENT OF SILVER COINS (USUALLY A SILVER
DOLLAR) IS A SIGN OF GOOD LUCK. WHEN SOMEONE SHAKES YOUR HAND
THEY HAVE THE COIN IN THEIR HAND AND THEY SLIP IT IN YOURS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve BELIEF -- Good luck P881.1 BELIEF -- Good luck P881.42 SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 00-00-1958
ON NEW YEAR'S EVE AT MIDNIGHT, LEAVE ALL THE LIGHTS ON IN THE HOUSE
FOR GOOD LUCK.
Submitter comment: THIS IS A FILIPINO BELIEF.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 11-21-1977
NEW YEARS EVE CUSTOM
EVERY NEW YEARS EVE A NEW DRINK WOULD BE CONCOCTED
AND WOULD THEN BE TOASTED AT MIDNIGHT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve |
SUPERSTITIONS
EAT LIMBURGER CHEESE AND HERRING ON NEW YEAR'S EVE FOR GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals BELIEF -- Good luck |
NEW YEAR'S DAY
PUT SILVER IN THE SINKS, AND COPPER ON ALL THE WINDOW SILLS, FOR
GOOD LUCK ON NEW YEAR'S EVE, SO THAT YOU WILL NEVER BE BROKE.
Submitter comment: THIS IS A VERY INTERESTING BELIEF, AND IT IS DONE BY MANY RACES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE
James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve BELIEF -- Mineral |
NEW YEAR'S EVE
MY GIRLFRIEND'S MOTHER BELIEVES THAT IF A FAMILY IS SEPARATED ON NEW
YEAR'S EVE THEN THEY WILL BE SEPARATED FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR.
FOR THIS REASON SHE WILL NOT LET HER DAUGHTER GO OUT ON THIS DAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Measure of time Year |
Date learned: 03-00-1979
"ONDEL, ONDEL"
THE ONDEL ONDEL IS ACTUALLY DERIVED FROM THE WAJUNG KULIT
OF INDONESIAN CULTURE. BUT WHILE THE WAJANG KULIT IS STATION-
ARY, THE ONDEL ONDEL IS ABLE TO MOVE ABOUT. ON NEW YEAR'S EVE
AN INDONESIAN NATIVE WOULD CARRY A LARGE STICK ON HIS BACK,
THE STICK WAS TWO LARGE PUPPETS. ONE WAS A MAN, THE OTHER
WAS A WOMAN, WALKING ABOUT, THE NATIVE WOULD BOUNCE UP
AND DOWN, CAUSING THE ARMS TO WAVE AROUND. THE NATIVES
DESCRIBED THE SOUNDS AND THE ACTION AS "ONDEL ONDEL".
THE IDEA WAS TO MAKE THE CHARACTERS SO RIDICULIOUS LOOKING,
THAT THEY MADE PEOPLE LAUGH. AS THIS WAS WALKING PAST
YOUR HOME, YOU WOULD PAY THEM A TIP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
Date learned: 04-00-1979 ; 00001930-1950
PICKLED HERRING AT MIDNIGHT ON NEW YEARS EVE AND PASS A SOLID SILVER
QUARTER TO YOUR NEIGHBOR WHILE KISSING.
Submitter comment: THIS IS A POLISH CUSTOM PRACTICED BY FRIENDS OF MINE.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT DORMS
Date learned: 00-00-1979
BAYBERRY CANDLES BURNED ON NEW YEAR'S EVE FOR PROSPERITY
IN THE NEW YEAR.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT DORMS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Year |
Date learned: 00-00-1978
KWANZA
KWANZA WAS CREATED BY DR. RON KARENGA FOR BLACK AMERICANS.
IT STARTS DECEMBER 26TH AND ENDS JANUARY 1ST.
BLACK, RED, AND GREEN ARE ITS COLORS. BLACK IS FOR OUR PEOPLE
RED FOR OUR CONTINUING STRUGGLE AND GREEN FOR LAND AND HOPE.
KANZA HAS SEVEN PRINCIPLES OF THE BLACK VALUE SYSTEM, CALLED THE
NGUZO SABA.
1. UMOJA -(UNITY)- TO STRIVE FOR AND MAINTAIN UNITY IN THE FAMILY,
COMMUNITY, NATION AND RACE.
2. KUJUCHAGULIA -(SELF-DETERMINATION)- TO DEFINE
OURSELVES, NAME OURSELVES,
CREATE FOR OURSELVES AND SPEAK
FOR OURSELVES RATHER THAT TO ALLOW OTHERS
TO DO THESE THINGS FOR US.
3. UJIMA -(COLLECTIVE WORK AND RESPONSIBILITY)- TO BUILD AND
MAINTAIN OUR COMMUNITY TOGETHER TO MAKE OUR SISTERS AND BROTHERS
PROBLEMS OUR PROBLEMS AND TO SOLVE THEM TOGETHER.
4. UJAMAA -(COOPERATIVE ECONOMICS)- TO BUILD AND MAINTAIN OUR
OWN STORES,
SHOPS, AND OTHER BUSINESSES AND TO PROFIT FROM THEM TOGETHER.
5. NIA -(PURPOSE)- TO MAKE OUR COLLECTIVE VOCATION THE BUILDING AN
DEVELOPING OF OUR COMMUNITY IN ORDER TO RESTORE OUR PEOPLE TO THEIR
TRADITIONAL GREATNESS.
6. KUUMBA -(CREATIVITY)- TO DO ALWAYS AS MUCH
AS WE CAN IN THE WAY WE
CAN, IN ORDER TO LEAVE OUR COMMUNITY MORE BEAUTIFUL AND BENEFICIAL
THAN WHEN WE INHERITED IT.
7. IMANI -(FAITH)- TO BELIEVE WITH ALL OUR
HEARTS IN OUR PEOPLE, OUR
PARENTS, OUR TEACHERS, OUR LEADERS AND THE
RIGHTEOUSNESS AND VICTORY OF OUR STRUGGLE. MM
CELEBRANTS BRING FOOD AND DRINKS TO SHARE FOR EACH DAY'S FEAST. EAC
CELEBRANT IS GREETED WITH THE WORDS "HABARI GANI" WHICH MEANS WHAT'S
THE NEWS OR WHAT'S HAPPENING. THE RESPONSE IS THAT DAY'S NQUZO SABA
PRINCIPLE.
THE HOUSE IS DECORATED WITH THE COLORS
GREEN, RED, AND BLACK. EVERYONE
GATHERS INTO A SEMICIRCLE. THE TABLE IS SET WITH THE SYMBOLS OF
KWANZA AND EACH PIECE IS EXPLAINED.
A STRAW MAT (MKEKA), THE SYMBOL
FOR OUR HISTORICAL FOUNDATION IN
TADITIONAL AFRICAN CULTURE. A CANDLEHOLDER
(KINARA), THE SYMBOL FOR OUR AFRICAN ANCESTORS. IT HOLDS SEVEN
CANDLES, (MISHUMAA), THREE RED, ONE BLACK, AND THREE GREEN ONES. TH
CANDLES REPRESENT THE SEVEN PRINCIPLES.
(MATUNDA)- TROPICAL FRUIT, VEGETABLES AND NUTS, WHICH REPRESENT THE
YIELD OF TRADITIONAL HARVEST.
EARS OF CORN WHICH REPRESENT THE NUMBER
OF CHILDREN IN THE FAMILY AND UNSHUCKED EARS OF CORN TO REPRESENT
CHILDLESS HOMES TO EXPRESS THE POTENTIAL FOR CHILDREN.
GIFTS, GIVEN ON THE SEVENTH DAY OF KWANZA, ARE MAINLY FOR CHILDREN
AND REPRESENT PARENT'S SATISFACTION
THAT THEIR CHILDREN HAVE ACHIEVED
AND GROWN IN A MANNER THAT GIVES HONOR TO THE FAMILY. THE GIFTS ARE
EXPRESSING THE HISTORY, CULTURE AND COMMITMENT
TO EDUCATION AS A LIBERATING
FORCE. MM
THE ELDERS OF THE FAMILY TAKE SEATS ON EACH SIDE OF THE KWANZA TABLE
SETTING AND THE CEREMONY BEGINS. THE
ELDERS CHARGE YOU TO REMEMBER OUR
ANCESTORS AND TO STRUGGLE FOR A NEW WORLD FOR
OUR CHILDREN. THEY POUR A LIBATION FORM THE UNITY CUP.
A LIBATION IS AN EXPRESSION OF COMMUNICATION AMONG US:
THE LIVING, OUR ANCESTORS AND OUR CHILDREN YET
TO BE BORN.
TO EXPRESS UNITY AS AN IDEAL IN BLACK
COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE WORLD,
THE ELDERS DRINK FROM THE UNITY CUP AND PASS IT TO THE
OTHER MEMBERS OF THE CELEBRATION.
EACH PERSON SHOUTS "HARAMBEE" (LET'S PULL TOGETHER),
THEREBY PLEDGING THEMSELVES TO UNITY.
THE CHILDREN LIGHT A CANDLE FOR EACH
DAY OF THE CELEBRATION WHICH HAS
PASSED AND FOR THE PRESENT DAY. EACH
CELEBRANT EXPRESSES THEIR THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS ABOUT THE PRINCIPLE
FOR THE DAY AND HOW IT AFFECTS THEIR LIVES. MM
KWANZA WAS FOUNDED TO CELEBRATE OUR FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES, OUR
WARMTH AND LOVE, OUR INTERDEPENDENCE AND FREEDOM STRUGGLE AND OUR
JOY AND STRENGTH. BECAUSE WE ARE AN AFRICAN PEOPLE. DR. KARENGA
LOOKING TO THE MOTHERLAND; BORROWED AN IDEAL; USED CREATIVITY AND
INGENUITY, AND MIXED IT WITH THE BLACK EXPERIENCE IN AMERICA. HE
CREATED MATUNDA YA KWANKA (KISWAHILI),
FOR FIRST FRUIT, THE CELEBRATION
COMMONLY KNOWN AS KWANZA.
KWANZA IS AN EXTENDED FAMILY CELEBRATION AND AN OCCASION FOR
STRENGTHENING FAMILY CONSCIOUSNESS AND SOLIDARITY WHILE SERVING AS A
EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE FOR CHILDREN IN SOCIAL AND SPIRITUAL MATTERS.
MUCH TIME IS SPENT REFLECTING ON THE PAST YEAR, MAKING DECISIONS
ABOUT IMPORTANT MATTERS THAT AFFECT THE FAMILY, WISHING RELATIVES A
PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR AND ENJOYING FOOD, MUSIC AND GAMES.
IN THE U.S. THE FIRST FRUIT CELEBRATION, KWANZA, IS A SYMBOLIC EVENT
DURING THE FESTIVAL BLACK PEOPLE COME
TOGETHER TO CELEBRATE OUR AFRICAN
HERITAGE, TO GIVE THANKS TO OUR ANCESTORS,
TO REAFFIRM THE BELIEF THAT ELDERS SHOULD BE
RESPECTED, TO REINFORCE OUR VALUE FRAMEWORK FOR OUR CHILDREN
AND TO CELEBRATE THE SEVEN PRINCIPLES OF THE BLACK VALUE SYSTEM,
THE NGUZO SABA.
Submitter comment:
I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN A CELEBRATION OF KWANZA LAST
YEAR AT A FRIEND'S HOUSE. SHE (MARLA PITTS), HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO
CELEBRATE IT WHILE ON HER VACATION IN 1975.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOLS
Date learned: 00-00-1978 ; 00-00-1975
NEW YEAR'S EVE
ALL CHURCH BELLS WOULD RING AT MIDNIGHT.
Where learned: WEST VIRGINIA ; MINDEN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Week Day Hour |
Date learned: 00-00-1924
NEW YEAR'S DAY IN LAGOS, NIGERIA
IN PREPARING FOR THE NEW YEAR ON DECEMBER 31 EVERYONE DRINKS A LOT A
GOES TO BED VERY LATE, BUT THIS ISN'T THE BIG EVENT.
AT 6:00 A.M. ON JANUARY 1 WE ALL AWOKE TO THE SOUND OF A CANNON
GOING OFF.
IN ABOUT 20 MINUTES EVERYONE IN THE VILLAGE MUST BE IN THE VILLAGE
SQUARE.
THE VOODOO MAN IS ABOUT TO ARRIVE.
HE IS DRESSED IN ANIMAL SKINS AND MATERIALS WITH A ANIMAL HEAD AND
HORNS.
NOTHING ON HIM IS VISIBLE.
HIS MAIN OBJECT AT THIS TIME IS TO CHASE EVERYONE AND IF HE
CATCHES YOU HE WILL HIT YOU WITH A SWITCH.
HE CARRIES BIG KNIVES THAT HE SWINGS BACK AND FORTH AND HE THROWS
THEM THROUGH THE AIR.
HE SEARCHES HOUSE FOR HOUSE TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE IS PFESENT.
IF YOU ARE SCARED TO COME OUT HE WILL COME IN AND BRING YOU OUT.
THROUGHOUT THE DAY EVERYONE FORMS ONTO GROUPS AND GOES ABOUT
SINGING AND DANCING AND DRINKING.
TOWARDS THE END OF THE DAY HE GOES FROM HOUSE TO HOUSE
TO RECIEVE GIFTS OF MONEY AND HE BLESSES THE HOUSE AND ANY
SMALL KIDS.
IF YOU GET NEAR THE WATER HE WILL NOT COME AFTER YOU.
Submitter comment:
THE SIGHT OF THE VOODOO MAN WAS TOO MUCH FOR ME.
I TRIED TO HIDE IN MY ROOM AND LOCK THE DOOR, BUT HE CAME WITH HIS
FOLLOWERS AND GOT ME.
WORD HAD SPREAD FROM DAY ONE THAT AN AMERICAN HAD COME TO THE
VILLAGE.
I DID EVENTUALLY JOIN IN AND FOLLOW THE CROWD.
Where learned: NIGERIA ; LAGOS
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve |
Date learned: 10-00-1979
NEW YEAR'S WISH
IF YOU WASH UP EVERYTHING IN THE ENTIRE HOUSE ON NEW YEARS EVE AND
GO INTO THE NEW YEAR'S CLEAN YOU WILL GET SOME MONEY
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve BELIEF -- Measure of time Year BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 10-00-1979
NEW YEAR'S EVE CUSTOMS
IN GREECE, FOR NEW YEAR'S EVE, THEY BAKE A SPONGE CAKE AND PUT
A DRACHMA INSIDE. THE PERSON WHOSE PIECE OF CAKE HAS THE DRACHMA IN
IT WINS A PRIZE AND WILL HAVE GOOD LUCK FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR.
Where learned: GREECE ; ATHENS
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve BELIEF -- Measure of time Year BELIEF -- Good luck |
NEW YEAR'S EVE CUSTOMS
IN GREECE, IT IS CUSTOMARY FOR PEOPLE TO VISIT EACH OTHER'S HOUSES
ON NEW YEAR'S EVE TO EXCHANGE GIFTS. THE CELEBRATION CONSISTS OF A
BIG MEAL. AFTER THE MEAL EVERYONE STAYS UP UNTIL MORNING TALKING,
SINGING AND DRINKING.
Where learned: GREECE ; ATHENS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 12-31-1979
NEW YEAR'S EVE CUSTOMS
IN MEXICO, IT IS CUSTOMARY TO INCLUDE CIDRA, OR FERMENTED CIDER
AS THE DRINK AT THE MEAL.
Where learned: MEXICO ; CIUDAD VALLES
NEW YEAR'S EVE CUSTOM
IN ORDER TO HAVE HEALTH, WEALTH AND BEAUTY IN THE YEAR TO COME, YOU
MUST EAT CREAMED HERRING AND WASH YOUR FACE WITH SILVER DOLLARS ON
NEW YEAR'S EVE AT MIDNIGHT.
Submitter comment: COIN SILVER DOLLARS ARE USED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals |
ON NEW YEAR'S EVE AT THE STROKE OF MIDNIGHT, WE THROW WATER OUT THE
WINDOWS BY THE BUCKETS TO SEND AWAY ALL BAD THINGS THAT CAME DURING
THE YEAR
Submitter comment: THEY DO THIS IN SAN JUAN.
Where learned: PUERTO RICO ; SAN JUAN
James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC ; PURIFICATION OF THE YEAR.
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F123 BELIEF -- Measure of time Year |
Date learned: CA00001950
ON NEW YEARS EVE, SPAINIARDS GATHER IN THE MAIN OR NEIGHBORHOOD SQUA
OF THEIR VILLAGES, TOWNS OR CITIES TO RING IN THE NEW YEAR AND
USHER OUT THE OLD. THEIR HOPES OF GOOD LUCK FOR A BETTER NEW YEAR
ARE FOUND IN GRAPES. AT EACH STRIKEOF THE GONG OF THE MIDNIGHT
HOUR, ONE GRAPE IS PUT INTO YOUR MOUTH TO BE EATEN. IF YOU MANAGE
TO DIGEST THEM ALL, OR AT LEAST SWALLOW THEM, AND NOT WHOLE, THEN
THE COMING YEAR WILL AFFORD YOU GOOD FORTUNE.
Submitter comment:
HIS MAY SEEM SIMPLE ENOUGH, BUT HAVE YOU EVER TRIED TO EAT TWELVE
GOOD SIZED GRAPES AT ONCE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MARQUETTE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals BELIEF -- P514 P514.2 |
Date learned: 06-00-1979
PURPOSE OF HERRING
EATING HERRING ON NEW YEAR'S EVE, GERMANS BELIEVE WILL BRING
MONEY ALL YEAR LONG.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: CA00001930