Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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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
RELIGIOUS CUSTOM
ON JANUARY 6, THE FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY, YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO WRITE
THE INITIALS OF THE THREE KINGS ABOVE YOUR DOORWAY. IT IS A WAY TO
CELEBRATE' A BLESSING AND A CATHOLIC CUSTOM. WE DIDN,T FOLLOW IT.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT WAS VERY INSISTENT IN THE FACT THAT HIS FAMILY DID NOT
FOLLOW THIS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HIGHLAND PARK
James Callow Keyword(s): NUMBERS
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 BELIEF -- Word Letter |
CURSE
IT IS AN ITALIAN BELIEF THAT A CURSE CAN BE UNCONSCIOUSLY
WISHED UPON YOU. IF YOU GET THE CURSE, THE ONLY WAY YOU CAN RID
YOURSELF OF IT IS TO HAVE THREE PEOPLE TRY TO GET RID OF IT. THEY
GET RID OF IT BE RECITING A SPECIAL CHANT. THE WORDS TO THE CHANT
CAN ONLY BE LEARNED ON CHRISTMAS EVE.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS TOLD TO MY INFORMANT BY HER COUSIN IN ITALY. EVERYONE IN
HER FAMILY HAD HEARD OF THE CURSE, BUT NO ONE KNEW THE WORDS TO CURE
IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): NUMBERS
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 BELIEF -- Curse SPEECH -- Formula |
CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
IN MANY RELIGIONS, IT IS A CUSTOM THAT YOU BUY AN ADVENT CALENDAR.
IT IS A CALENDAR WHICH HAS 24 ITEMS WHICH CAN BE PLACED ON THE
CALENDAR OR 24 PANELS WHICH CAN BE OPENED. THEN, ON DECEMBER 1, THE
DOOR OR PANEL IS OPENED. ON DECEMBER 2 THE SECOND DOOR IS OPENED
AND IT GOES ON. THE 24TH DAY'S ITEM IS USUALLY A PICTURE OF THE
NATIVITY SCENE, OR THE FINAL TOUCH TO THE NATIVITY SCENE.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A NICE CUSTOM IN ANTICIPATION OF CHRISTMAS. OUR FAMILY
HAS FOLLOWED IT FOR AS LONG AS I CAN REMEMBER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F120 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- September 23 equinox to December 20 Also used for Advent. BELIEF -- Number P686.1.24 |
Date learned: CA00001961
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
"BREAKING THE OPIATKEJ"
DURING THE HOLIDAYS OF CHRISTMAS AND EASTER, AN EMBOSSED PIECE OF
UNLEAVENED BREAD IS PASSED AROUND THE DINNER TABLE. EACH MEMBER,
STARTING WITH THE HEAD OF THE FAMILY, BREAKS OFF A PARTICLE AND
PARTAKES OF IT. THE OPIATKEJ IS SUPPOSED TO BRING GOOD LUCK AND
WELL-BEING TO THE FAMILY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FAMILY UNITY ; FOOD CUSTOM ; HEALTH ; LUCK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday |
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
NEW YEARS DAY CUSTOM
THE FIRST CHILD TO WISH YOU A HAPPY NEW YEARS WOULD GET A SPECIAL
TOKEN. MY FATHER WOULD SET HIS ALARM FOR 5 A.M. AND GO VISIT THE
NEIGHBORS. FOR BEING THE FIRST ONE HE WOULD GET 5 OR 10 CENTS.
HE WOULD SOMETIMES MAKE 7 DOLLARS.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SEEMED TO HAVE VERY VIVID RECOLLECTIONS OF HER FATHER
TELLING HER ABOUT HIS EXPLOITS. THIS IS AN OLD GERMAN CUSTOM.
Where learned: OHIO ; CLEVELAND
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 BELIEF -- Number SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 10-00-1976
ST. PATRICKS DAY CUSTOM
IN CERTAIN AREAS, ST. PATRICKS DAY IS "CELEBRATED" AMONG
SCHOOLCHILDREN IN THE FOLLOWING WAY: ANY CHILD WHO ARRIVES
AT SCHOOL NOT WEARING A GREEN ARTICLE OF CLOTHING IS
MERCILESSLY PINCHED BY CLASSMATES UNTIL THE UNFORTUNATE CHILD
EITHER ESCAPES SHRIEKING OR SUMMONS AID.
Where learned: MISSOURI ; SAINT JOSEPH
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- March 17 Feast of St. Patrick CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 |
I DONT CARE IF THERES SNOW UP TO YOUR KNEES ON ST. PATRICKS DAY-
THATS WHEN YOU PLANT POTATOES IF THEYRE GONNA GROW RIGHT.
Where learned: MISSOURI ; AGENCY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- March 17 Feast of St. Patrick CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 BELIEF -- Plant husbandry Farming BELIEF -- P663 |
Date learned: CA00001967
TRADITION
THE SWALLOWS RETURN TO CAPISTRANO ON THE FEAST OF ST. JOSEPH.
Data entry tech comment: ST. JOSEPH'S DAY: MARCH 19
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- March 19 Feast of St. Joseph CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 |
Date learned: 11-00-1968
ST. JOSEPH'S DAY--THE MIRACLE SAINT FOR ALL THINGS
A PROMISE BY THE WEALTHIER CLASS OF PEOPLE TO DONATE THEIR TIME AND
EFFORT TO ORGANIZE THEMSELVES INTO A BAND OF GOOD DOERS FOR THE
POOR. A COLLECTION WAS MADE FROM THE RICH AND POOR ALIKE IN TERMS
OF A HANDFUL OF BEANS FROM EACH FAMILY AND MADE INTO A MEAL FROM
ALL THE DIFFERENT KINDS OF BEANS COLLECTED. THE HUGE VARIETY OF
BEANS WERE COOKED TOGETHER AND SERVED JUST AS IF IT WERE SAUCE WITH
SPAGHETTI. THE WEALTHIER PEOPLE ALSO COOKED SMALL LOAVES OF
BREAD AND DONATED THIS AS WELL AS ALL THE FRESH FRUITS WHICH WERE
SEASONAL AT THAT PARTICULAR TIME. LEMONS, ORANGES, PEARS, APPLES,
FIGS AND EVERYTHING IMMAGINABLE WERE PLACED IN A HUGE BOWL IN THE
CENTER OF THE TABLE AND THE POOR WERE ALL INVITED TO HAVE THEIR
DINNER WITH THEIR BENEFACTORS ON THIS PARTICULAR DAY. IT WAS A WAY
FOR THE HIGHER CLASS TO SHOW THEIR GRATITUDE FOR THEIR OWN FORTUNES
AND TO SHARE WITH THE LESS FORTUNATE. CELEBRATED ON MARCH 19TH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- March 19 Feast of St. Joseph CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 |
Date learned: 10-31-1971
DUTCH CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
THE DUTCH HAVE THE CUSTOM OF PASSING OUT THEIR CHRISTMAS PRESENTS ON
ST. NICHOLAS DAY SO THEY CAN CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS IN CHURCH WITHOUT
ANY INTERRUPTIONS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CHRISTMAS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 6 Feast of St. Nicholas CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 |
Date learned: 03-30-1968
AUSTRIAN CUSTOM
ON ST. NICHOLAS@ DAY THE CHILDREN LEAVE THEIR SHOES OUTSIDE THEIR
DOORS. IT THEY ARE BAD ST. NICK WILL PUT COAL IN THEM BUT IF THEY
ARE GOOD THEY WILL RECEIVE PRESENTS.
Submitter comment: HEARD FROM GRANDPARENTS WHO CAME FROM AUSTRIA
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): ST. NICHOLAS'DAY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 6 Feast of St. Nicholas CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR.
FESTIVAL
ON THE FEAST - DAY OF ST. NICHOLAS, THE CHILDREN RECEIVE GIFTS FROM
AN ANGEL UNDER THE PILLOWS IN THE MORNING.
Submitter comment: UKRAINIAN
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): FESTIVAL
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 6 Feast of St. Nicholas CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR.
BLACK PETER
IN HOLLAND, ON DECEMBER 6, ST. NICHOLAS TRAVELS AROUND THE COUNTRY
LEAVING FRUITS AND SWEETS FOR THE GOOD CHILDREN. BLACK PETER
ACCOMPANIES HIM AND TAKES ALL THE BAD CHILDREN AWAY ON A BOAT TO
AFRICA.
Submitter comment: MR. CLISDAL LEARNED OF THIS WHILE IN EUROPE LAST YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
Keyword(s): ST. NICHOLAS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 6 Feast of St. Nicholas CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 |
Date learned: 10-16-1967
CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
A FAMILY CUSTOM OF GERMAN ORIGIN ( HER MOTHER'S SIDE OF FAMILY ) WAS
TO LEAVE A BOWL ON THE FRONT PORCH DURING DINNER, ON THE FEAST OF
ST. NICHOLAS, DECEMBER 6. A LOUD KNOCK WAS HEARD, AND WHOEVER
ANSWERED THE DOOR FOUND NO ONE, BUT THE BOWL WAS FILLED WITH CANDY
AND SWEETS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
Keyword(s): ST. NICHOLAS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 6 Feast of St. Nicholas CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 |
Date learned: 11-30-1967
CUSTOM
WHEN I WAS YOUNGER, OUR FAMILY USED TO HANG UP CHRISTMAS STOCKINGS
ON ST. NICHOLAS' DAY ( DECEMBER 6 ) AND IN THE MORNING WE WOULD
FIND CANDY AND OTHER GOODIES IN THE STOCKINGS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ST. NICHOLAS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 6 Feast of St. Nicholas CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 |
Date learned: 00-00-1960
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