Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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EASTER MONDAY IN LIBERIA
EASTER MONDAY IS CELEBRATED AS A HOLIDAY IN MONROVIA. SCHOOLS
ARE CLOSED AND MANY GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE BUILDINGS ARE ALSO CLOSED
EASTER MONDAY USUALLY FALLS ON THE SAME MONDAY AS THAT OF THE
UNITED STATES AND OTHER CHRISTIAN NATIONS AROUND
THE WORLD. THE ONLY BIG DIFFERENCE IS THE TIME. THERE IS A FIVE
HOUR TIME DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NEW YORK AND MONROVIA. THEREFORE,
WHEN EASTER CELEBRATION IS BEING HELD IN MONROVIA, PEOPLE ARE
ASLEEP HERE. AFTER FIVE HOURS OF CELEBRATIONS IN MONROVIA
PEOPLE ARE GETTING OUT OF BED HERE IN THE UNITED STATES. THE
CHRISTIANS IN MONROVIA CELEBRATE EASTER MONDAY BECAUSE THEY
BELIEVE THAT IT WAS AFTER THE SUNDAY THAT JESUS CHRIST THE LORD
ROSE FROM THE DEAD. THE SCHOOLS ARE THE MOST ATTRACTIVE PLACE
OF CELEBRATION. ON EASTER MONDAY, STUDENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO WITNESS
A GAME BETWEEN RIVAL SCHOOLMATES. THE RIVAL SCHOOLMATES CONSISTS
OF MALES AND FEMALES. THE GAME TO BE WITNESSED IS CALLED THE
TUG-OF-WAR. THERE ARE THREE PLAYERS ON THE FEMALE TEAM AND
THE NUMBER IS UNEVEN BECAUSE MEN ARE SUPPOSED TO BE PHYSICALLY
STRONGER THAN WOMEN. THIS DOES NOT ALWAYS HOLD TRUE FOR THE MEN AS
THE WOMEN USUALLY WIN THE GAME. THE WOMEN USUALLY GO THROUGH
DIFFERENT FORMS OF EXERCISES SUCH AS KARATE, WRESTLING, JOGGING
AND MUSCLE PULLING FOR ABOUT SIX MONTHS DAILY PRIOR TO THE GAME.
THESE EXERCISES AID THE FEMALES IN THEIR STRUGGLE TO PROVE TO
THE MEN THAT IT MAY OR MAY NOT BE TRUE THAT MEN ARE SUPERIOR
TO THE WOMEN; WHAT IS DEFINITELY CERTAIN IS THAT TRADITIONALLY,
IN THE SIGHT OF GOD ALL IS EQUAL. THIS IS TRUE BECAUSE THE FEMALES
USUALLY WORK HARD TO PROVE THIS POINT. THE FEMALE CONTESTANTS
ARE VERY LARGE WOMEN ALSO. ABOUT SIX FEET TALL. A WOMAN OF PETITE
BUILD WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE. THE SIZE AND HEIGHT
ARE PRESENTED TO THE SPECTATORS TO SHOW THAT WOMEN SHOULD
NOT BE TAKEN FOR GRANTED. WHENEVER THE MALES LOSE THE GAME IT
IS AND CAUSES LOT OF HUMILIATIONS FOR THEM UNTIL THE FOLLOWING
YEAR. ON THE FOLLOWING YEAR, ABOUT TWO DAYS BEFORE GOOD FRIDAY,
A REMATCH IS SCHEDULED. AT THIS TIME INSTEAD OF THE GAME
THEY THEN GET INVOLVED INTO A SPELLING CONTEST. THE WINNER OF
THE CONTEST IS THEN AWARDED WITH A CHECK OF 50 DOLLARS FROM
HIS SCHOOL AND THE FEMALE'S SCHOOL. THE MALES ARE ALSO
INTRODUCED TO A CRASH COURSE CALLED LEARNING AWARENESS.
THE CRASH COURSE IS SIMPLY AN EDUCATIONAL COURSE TO PROVE TO
THE MALE STUDENTS THAT MEN ARE NOT SUPERIOR TO FEMALES
INTELLECTUALLY. THE SUBJECT OF EASTER MONDAY FITS WELL INTO
THE REALM OF FOLKLORE, ESPECIALLY FROM THE STANDPOINT OF
CUSTOM. IT ALSO FITS WELL BECAUSE IT IS STILL PRACTICED TODAY
AND MANY MEN STILL FEEL THAT THEY ARE SUPERIOR TO WOMEN BY
PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES AND INTELLIGENCE.
Submitter comment: THE SPELLING CONTEST IS USUALLY HELD TWO DAYS PRIOR TO GOOD FRIDAY.
Where learned: LIBERIA ; MONROVIA
James Callow Keyword(s): SEPARATION OF THE SEXES ; SEXISM
Date learned: 00-00-1968
EASTER EXPRESSION.
ON EASTER SUNDAY, THE DAY CHRIST HAS RESURECTED,
ONE GREEK SAYS TO ANOTHER "CHRIST HAS RISEN!" THE
RESPONSE FROM THE OTHER PERSON IS "TRULY HE HAS RISEN!"
Submitter comment:
THIS PHRASE IS SAID IN THE CHURCH AND IN THE GENERAL
PUBLIC UNTIL PENTECOST. IT SIGNIFIES THE JOY AND
HAPPINESS PEOPLE HAVE FOR THE RESSURECTION OF CHRIST.
THIS IS A GREEK-AMERICAN CUSTOM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: CA00001963
FESTIVAL AFTER EASTER
ON DYNGUS DAY, WHICH WAS THE FOLLOWING DAY AFTER EASTER SUNDAY,
BOYS WOULD SURPRISE GIRLS BY WHIPPING THEM ON THE LEGS WITH THIN
BRANCHES. THIS WAS DONE TO REPRESENT THE SCOURGING JESUS ENDURED.
Submitter comment:
MY MOTHER TOLD ME THAT SHE ALWAYS HID ON DYNGUS DAY, BUT HER COUSINS
ALWAYS MANAGED TO FIND HER AND WHIP HER.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus |
Date learned: 00-00-1930
DYNGUS DAY
THE MONDAY AFTER EASTER BOYS SPRINKLED CHEAP PERFUME ON THE GIRLS
WHICH REPRESENTED THE SPITTLE JESUS RECEIVED FROM THE ROMANS.
Submitter comment:
THIS VERSION OF DYNGUS DAY WAS PARTICULARLY FRUSTRATING, ESPECIALLY
SINCE GIRLS TRIED TO KEEP THEIR HAIR NICE.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus |
Date learned: 00-00-1930
DAY AFTER DYNGUS DAY
ON TUESDAY, THE GIRLS ARE GIVEN THE CHANCE TO DO SOME WHIPPING
WHENEVER THEY SEE BOYS.
Submitter comment:
SOME GIRLS IN MY MOTHER'S NEIGHBORHOOD OF CHESTNUT ST. AND MILWAUKEE
AVE. DID WHIP SOME BOYS, BUT SHE NEVER DID.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Tuesday Revenge Day |
Date learned: 00-00-1930
SWITCHING DAY
ACCORDING TO AN OLD POLISH CUSTOM, THE MONDAY AFTER
EASTER IS CALLED, "SWITCHING DAY." ON THIS DAY IN THE
MORNING, A BOY GOES OUT AND CUTS A SWITCH FROM A BUSH.
HE GOES TO A GIRL'S HOUSE WHERE HER MOTHER LETS HIM IN,
AND HE SWITCHES THE GIRL. WHEN HE IS DONE, THE
MOTHER PAYS HIM FOR SWITCHING HER DAUGHTER.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT FIRST HEARD OF THIS CUSTOM AT ABOUT THE
AGE OF FIVE FROM HER MOTHER; THE FIRST TIME THAT HER
MALE COUSIN CAME OVER TO SWITCH HER. SHE REMEMBERS
BEING SWITCHED TILL ABOUT THE AGE OF NINE OR TEN,
WHEN SHE FINALLY LOCKED HERSELF IN THE BATHROOM ON
THE MORNING OF SWITCHING DAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIBRARY ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Week Day Hour CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus |
DYNGUS
THE MONDAY AND TUESDAY AFTER EASTER ARE CALLED DYNGUS
BY THE POLISH PEOPLE. ON MONDAY EARLY IN THE MORNING,
THE BOYS USED TO GO OUT AND CUT A SWITCH, USUALLY A
PUSSY-WILLOW, AND GO TO A GIRL'S HOUSE WHERE HE WAS
LET IN BY HER MOTHER. IF THE GIRL WAS ASLEEP, THE BOY
COULD AWAKEN HER BY THROWING WATER ON HER. IF HE WERE
A GENTLEMAN, HE WOULD SPRINKLE COLOGNE ON HER. WHEN
SHE AWOKE, HE SWITCHED HER WITH THE BRANCH HE HAD CUT.
THIS WAS DONE TO INSURE HER GOOD BEHAVIOR FOR THE REST
OF THE YEAR. WHEN HE WAS DONE, HE WAS USUALLY TREATED
TO SOME REFRESHMENT BY THE GIRL'S MOTHER. ON TUESDAY,
THE GIRLS WOULD HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF REVERSING THE
PROCESS ON THE BOY'S PEACEFUL SLEEP, AND THEIR ACTIONS
USUALLY DEPENDED ON THE TREATMENT THEY HAD RECEIVED
THE DAY BEFORE.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT, MY MOTHER, REMEMBERS THIS TRADITION
VERY CLEARLY FROM HER CHILDHOOD WHEN SHE LEARNED IT
FROM HER MOTHER, WHO WAS BORN IN POLAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Week Day Hour CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Ascension Day |
Date learned: 01-08-1964
POLISH SWITCH DAY
THE DAY AFTER EASTER IS CALLED SWITCH DAY IN OLD POLISH TRADITION.
IF THE GIRLS DO NOT DO FAVORS FOR THE BOYS, THE BOYS HIT THEM WITH
A SWITCH STICK.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS A GAME ALL DONE IN FUN. NO ONE WOULD BE HURT. MY DAD
LEARNED THIS FROM HIS GRANDMOTHER AROUND 1935.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus |
Date learned: 00-00-1935
EVERY YEAR ON EASTER MONDAY, WHEN I WAS YOUNG, MY FRIENDS
AND I WOULD PREPARE LUNCH FOR THE YOUNG BOYS
THAT WE KNEW. WE WOULD SPRINKLE THE LIVING ROOM AREA WITH
COLOGNE AND DRESS IN OUR SUNDAY BEST. A BOY WOULD COME TO
YOUR HOUSE FOR A PRIVATE LUNCHEON. THIS WAS A GET
ACQUAINTED PERIOD FOR THE GIRL AND BOY. IT WAS USED AS
A FORM OF COURTSHIP. IT WAS SAID THAT IF YOU WERE TO BE
COURTED BY THE MAN YOU WERE TO MARRY ON EASTER MONDAY,
YOUR MARRIAGE WOULD BE SO MUCH MORE BLESSED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 00-00-1940
In Hungary the day after Easter, Easter Monday,
is also considered a holiday. On that day all
the boys visit the homes of their neighbor girls
and sprinkle them with water. Today they often
use cologne. The girls, in turn, give the boys
a colored Easter egg. The boys that they really
like are given red eggs.
Where learned: GERMANY ; Binabiburg
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter eggs CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus BELIEF -- Water BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Color |
Date learned: 00001940S
ON EASTER MONDAY, THE POLISH CELEBRATED "DYNGUS." BOYS AND
MEN WOULD CUT SWITCHES FROM TREES AND TRY TO WHIP GIRLS AND WOMEN
ON THE LEGS. MY GRANDMOTHER DOES NOT KNOW WHY. ON EASTER TUESDAY
THE PRIEST (AT CATHOLIC SCHOOL) WOULD GIVE THE GIRLS PERMISSION TO
RETALIATE IN KIND, BUT THEY NEVER DID.
Submitter comment:
MY GRANDMOTHER ALWAYS PREVENTED THE MEN FROM HITTING HER
MOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Tuesday Revenge Day |
Date learned: 00001920S
Dingus
Dingus is a custom among Polish people celebrated the Monday
after Easter. It is also called "Switching Day." Young men chase
young women with light switches and lightly hit them on the knees
in a mating ritual.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus |
Martin Luther King Holiday
This holiday (the 3rd Monday of January) was passed in honor
of a man (born January 15, 1929) who stood for peace and equality
for all. He was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee (1968) at the
age of 39. It is the first legal holiday honoring a Black or
Afro-American. In 1986, the automotive industry started
celebrating the Monday following Easter (called "Easter Monday")
as its holiday honoring Dr. King. As of this year (1992), the
automotive industry has two "paid holidays" honoring Dr. King.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Black History
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Winter CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus BELIEF -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Secular hero |
The day after Easter is called Dingus day. On this day boys
used to take fine green twigs and chase girls and hit them lightly.
I can't remember why they exactly did this but I remember the event
did occur.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus |
Date learned: 00-00-1930
SWITCH DAY
EVERY YEAR IN GRADE SCHOOL, ONE DAY WAS DESIGNATED
SWITCH DAY. ON THAT DAY, EVERYONE CARRIED A
LIGHT BRANCH OR SWITCH WITH HIM. IF A BOY HIT A
GIRL WITH THIS SWITCH (OR VICE VERSA) SHE HAD TO
GIVE HIM A PENNY.
Submitter comment: COLLECTOR DOESN'T THINK THIS WAS A FIXED DATE.
James Callow comment:
I HAVE GIVEN THIS ITEM THE BOGGS NUMBER FOR DYNGUS DAY
ONLY TO PROMPT COMPARISON.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus |
Date learned: 11-00-1968
ON DYNGUS DAY, A CERTAIN DAY IN THE SPRINGTIME,
THE BOYS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD CAN DO ANYTHING THEY
WANT TO, TO THE GIRLS. THE MOTHERS LET THE BOYS
COME IN THE HOUSE. THEY MAY GO INTO THE GIRLS'
BEDROOM AND THROW PERFUME ON THEM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
EASTERTIDE--POLISH-AMERICAN CUSTOM
IN THE UNITED STATES, ESPECIALLY IN HAMTRAMCK, MICHIGAN
POLISH-AMERICANS CELEBRATE "DYNGUS" DAY. THIS OCCURS ON
THE FIRST DAY AFTER EASTER. POLISH-AMERICAN BOYS ARE
ALLOWED TO SWITCH GIRLS ON THE LEGS WITH SMALL TREE
BRANCHES. JUST AS IN THE POLISH CUSTOM, POLISH-AMERICAN
BOYS ARE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE HOME OF THE GIRL AND EVEN
ENTER HER BEDROOM TO SWITCH HER. ON THE SECOND DAY AFTER
EASTER, THE POLISH-AMERICAN GIRLS GET THE SAME OPPORTUNITY
TO SWITCH THE BOYS WITH SLENDER TWIGS. THE BOYS WERE
USUALLY SMARTER THAN THE GIRLS AND NEVER STAYED HOME ON
THE SECOND DAY AFTER EASTER. SWITCHING WAS NEVER DONE
OUTDOORS, AND THE BOYS WERE USUALLY PAID A FEW DIMES OR
NICKELS WHEN THEY SWITCHED A GIRL, AND IF THE GIRL'S
PARENTS DIDN'T HAVE MUCH MONEY, THEY GAVE FRUIT.
Submitter comment: CUSTOM IS NOT STILL PRACTICED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Tuesday Revenge Day |
Date learned: 10-15-1969
ON EASTER MONDAY (DYNGUS) LITTLE BOYS KNOCK ON THE
DOORS OF LITTLE GIRLS' HOUSES. THE GIRLS MUST LET THEM
IN, AND IF THEY CAN SWITCH THE GIRLS WITH STICKS,
THE GIRLS MUST GIVE THE BOY AN EASTER EGG. ON
TUESDAY, THE GIRLS HIT THE BOYS WITH STICKS AND
POUR PERFUME ON IT (THEM?)
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Tuesday Revenge Day |
Date learned: 11-04-1969
IN UKRAINE, BOYS AND GIRLS DOUSE EACH OTHER WITH
WATER ALL DAY ON THE FIRST MONDAY AFTER EASTER.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT RECEIVED INFORMATION FROM PERSONAL
EXPERIENCE IN UKRAINE.
Data entry tech comment:
DYNGUS DAY
CN[ FYLYPIW, OREST
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus |
Date learned: 10-07-1967
THE DAY AFTER EASTER SUNDAY, THE BOYS WHIP THE GIRLS
AND POUR COLOGNE ON THEM. ON TUESDAY, THE GIRLS
DO IT (TO THE BOYS?)
Data entry tech comment:
DYNGUS DAY
CN[ O'BRIEN, DANIEL
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Tuesday Revenge Day |
Date learned: 11-02-1969