Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for F544 returned 51 results.
EACH MALE BORN IN THE FAMILY BUILDS A THRONE-TYPE CHAIR WHEN
HE REACHES THE AGE OF MATURITY (USUALLY 12 OR 13). HE THEN TAKES
THIS CHAIR WITH HIM IN HIS TRAVELS UNTIL HE IS WED. UPON WEDDING,
HE KEEPS THE CHAIR IN A POSITION OF GOOD SIGHT IN THE LIVING
ROOM OF HIS FAMILY DOMICILE.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS STARTED LONG AGO WHEN HIS ANCESTORS LOST THEIR THRONE
OF THE TURKISH EMPIRE. SINCE THAT TIME THE TRADITION HAS LIVED
IN THE FAMILY.
Where learned: TULSA ; OKLAHOMA
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Maturity ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Household furniture and utensil |
Date learned: 00-00-1960
It was the custom of young Cuban boys who were trying
to prove their manhood to dive into the waters of Havana
Harbor,near the old prison, and ride the sharks. It was
said that the sharks frequented the harbor because political
prisoners were placed in an underwater dungeon to be eaten
by the sharks.
Submitter comment:
This need to confront death and danger in order to establish
"machismo" is also seen in such activities as bullfighting.
This story was told to Carmen by her father, Gustavo Sebastian
Albore', who was very proud that he had been brave enough to
ride the sharks. Gustavo was proud also of his Castillian
Spanish parents, since in his mind, to be "Cuban"
meant to be black. He always, therefore, referred to himself
as "Castillian" whenever someone asked him his nationality.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; NEW ROCHELLE
Keyword(s): Courage, test, Hispanic, rite-of-passage
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Maturity |
Date learned: 00001930S
EVERY BIRTHDAY ONE PRESENT IS NOT GIVEN UNTIL YOUR SIXTEENTH
BIRTHDAY. ON YOUR SIXTEENTH BIRTHDAY YOUR ARE GIVEN THE
ACCUMULATION OF THE GIFTS, SOMETIMES IT'S JUST ONE EXPENSIVE
GIFT.
Submitter comment: MY INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM RELATIVES IN MAINE.
Where learned: MAINE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Maturity CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Private birthday or anniversary BELIEF -- Number P686.1.16 |
Date learned: 00001960S
Parade
In the Luzwick family, after each child was potty trained, the
members of the family had a parade to celebrate the child's
accomplishment. They used toy instruments, and traveled the house
cheering for the successful child.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO
Date learned: 00001971ca
HAIRCUTS
THE FIRST HAIRCUT OF AN INDIAN BOY OR GIRL IS AN
IMPORTANT EVENT. EVERYBODY IN THE FAMILY GOES TO
THE TEMPLE TO WITNESS IT.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Maturity CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 10-24-1968
IF A GIRL GIVES HERSELF A PERMANENT DURING MENSTRUATION, HER
HAIR WILL FRIZZ.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; PEABODY COLLEGE ; NASHVILLE
Keyword(s): OVERCURL
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Maturity BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hair, on head, mustache, widow's peak |
Date learned: 02-20-1969
IF YOU HAVE HEARTBURN DURING YOUR LAST TWO MONTHS OF PREGNANCY
IT MEANS THAT THE BABY YOU ARE CARRYING IS GROWING HIS HAIR
AND TOENAILS.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Maturity BELIEF -- Body part Senses Feet, toes, toenails BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hair, on head, mustache, widow's peak BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 06-16-1972
IF A BABY DOESN'T FALL OFF THE BED BEFORE IT IS TWO YEARS OLD,
IT WILL NOT LIVE.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | 686 Seconds / Twice / Two CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Maturity BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 06-16-1972
IN ST. LOUIS, THE "VEILED PROPHET" HAS BECOME A LEGENDARY
FIGURE. ACCORDING TO THE LEGEND, THIS PROPHET OR KING
FROM A FAR-AWAY LAND VISITS EVERY YEAR THE FAIREST CITY IN
THE LAND (WHICH IS ALWAYS ST. LOUIS) AND THERE SELECTS HIS
QUEEN OF LOVE AND BEAUTY, WHO WILL REIGN WITH HIM FOR A
YEAR. IN REALITY, THE ANNUAL OCCASION IS A SOCIAL AFFAIR
AT WHICH THE DEBUTANTES ARE PRESENTED TO SOCIETY. BUT IT
IS CARRIED OUT WITH ALL THE SPLENDOR AND POMP BEFITTING
HIS ROYAL MAJESTY WHO APPEARS AT THE BALL IN ROYAL ROBES
AND WITH VEILED FACE ACCOMPANIED BY HIS PAGES, HERALDS
(WHO ANNOUNCE THE DEBUTANTES WHOSE NAMES, ESPECIALLY
THAT OF THE CHOSEN QUEEN, HAVE BEEN KEPT SECRET UNTIL THIS
SHINING HOUR), AND THE BENGAL LANCERS WHO FORM AN HONOR
GUARD FOR THE QUEEN.
THE DAY AFTER THE BALL, THE VEILED PROPHET, HIS QUEEN AND
HER COURT, RIDE THROUGH THE STREETS OF THE CITY IN THE
ANNUAL VEILED PROPHET PARADE, COMPLETE WITH FLOATS,
MARCHING BANDS, ETC.
IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE PPARADE THE PROPHET "DISAPPEARS"
UNTIL HIS NEXT ANNUAL VISIT. (BUT SOMEHOW THE QUEEN
ALWAYS STAYS BEHIND TO PRESIDE AT ALL THE SOCIAL AFFAIRS OF
THE CITY.)
Where learned: NASHVILLE ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED
James Callow Keyword(s): ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Maturity CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Festival |
Date learned: 04-08-1969
Custom/Belief
Irregular Festival:
It is a custom in my family to have a big family gathering, celebration, reunion, and party whenever someone in the fammily has made the Sacrament of Confirmation or 1st Communion. The recipient recieves gifts and/or money from every other member of the fmaily. It roughlyparallels the Bar Matzvah of the Jewish Religion.
Data entry tech comment:
motifs added by TRD
Where learned: NEW YORK ; Myself ; LeRoy
Keyword(s): Celebration ; CUSTOM ; Maturity ; PARTY ; RELIGION ; RELIGIOUS ; Rite-of-Passage
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Maturity |
Wedding Custom
At a shower for a bride-elect, she wil have the same number of children as ribbons broken.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Keyword(s): Break ; Bridal ; Bride ; Broken ; CHILDREN ; CUSTOM ; Offspring ; Predict ; Ribbons ; Shower ; WEDDING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Maturity |