Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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WATER
IN THE FALL, YOUR OWN IMAGES ARE MADE OF STRAW AND CAST INTO THE
RIVER, TO FLOAT WHERE THEY WILL AND BRING GOOD LUCK TO THR SENDER.
Submitter comment: THIS CUSTOM IS OBSERVED IN POLAND.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Autumn Fall Harvest Thanksgiving BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 04-08-1979
KWANZA
KWANZA IS AN AFRICAN HOLIDAY. IT IS CELEBRATED
DECEMBER 26 THROUGH JANUARY 1. IT IS AN EVENT WHICH
IS CELEBRATED ANNUALLY AND IS BASED ON AFRICAN
HARVEST CELEBRATIONS. KWANZA MEANS THE FIRST FRUIT.
THE PURPOSE OF KWANZA IS THE THANKING OF OUR ANCESTORS
IN ORDER TO INSURE A GOOD HARVEST FOR THE ENSUING YEAR.
DURING THE HARVEST CELEBRATIONS, THERE ARE
FEASTING, DRUMMING AND DANCING. STORY_TELLING
IS HEARD. FAMILY TIES ARE STRENGTHENED
AND ENCOURAGED.
MOST HOLIDAYS HAVE SYMBOLS WHICH ARE IDENTIFIABLE
WITH A PARTICULAR CELEBRATION. KWANZA DOES ALSO.
THE SYMBOLS OF KWANZA ARE: MEKA (STRAW) THE MHUMA (CANDLE),
ZAWADI (GIFTS) AND MAHINDI (CORN). THE CORN
REPRESESENTS ALL THE CHILDREN IN THE HOUSEHOLD.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST, THERE IS THE KIKOMBE (UNITY CUP).
COMMUNITIES AND HOMES ARE DECORATED, HOWEVER, EMPHASIS
IS ON THE USE OF NATURAL THINGS.
THE COLORS OF RED, GREEN AND BLACK ARE USED.
THEY ALSO SYMBOLIZES THE BLOOD SHED BY AFRICANS
IN THE STRUGGLE FOR FREEDOM AND PEACE.
THESE COLORS REPRESENTS BLOOD, LAND AND COLOR.
BLACK IS FOR THE AFRICAN SKIN COLOR. GREEN IS FOR FERTILITY.
EMPHASIS IS PLACED UPON THE CHILDREN WHO RECEIVE
MOST OF THE GIFTS AND ARE ASKED TO MAKE A COMMITMENT.
A CHILD MIGHT ASK FOR BETTER GRADES IN SCHOOL.
IF THE CHILD GRADES HAS IMPROVED CONSIDERABLY, HE IS REWARDED.
THE REWARDS ARE CLOTHING, EXTRA FOOD OR A VISIT OUT OF TOWN.
TRADITIONALLY, THE STRENTH OF THE AFRICAN FAMILY
HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE FAMILY. BECAUSE OF THIS, THE FAMILY
IS THE FOCAL POINT OF THE CELEBRATION.
Submitter comment:
THE MEANING OF THE WORD FAMILY HERE CONSIST OF
THE FATHER, MOTHER, CHILDREN, AUNTS AND UNCLES.
FAMILY MEANS THE EXTENDED FAMILY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
HARVEST CELEBRATION IN LIBERIA
MANY PEOPLE IN LIBERIA DEPEND ON AGRICULTURE.
AGRICULTURE DEPENDS ALSO ON FAVORABLE WEATHER
CONDITIONS. THERE ARE TWO SEASONS. THE RAINY AND THE
DRY SEASON. IF THERE ISN'T SUFFICIENT RAIN THERE
WOULDN'T BE SUFFICIENT HARVEST AND THE SITUATION TENDS TO
CREATE UNHAPPINESS IN OUR COMMUNITY. WE HAVE DEVELOPED
RITES AND CEREMONIES THAT RELATES TO RURAL LIFE.
HARVEST CELEBRATION IS AN ACTIVITY WHICH
STRENGTHENED COMMUNITY CONSCIOUSNESS AND SOLIDARITY.
THE HARVEST CELEBRATION IS USUALLY CELEBRATED AT THE
BEGINNING OF THE YEAR. IT IS ALSO A FAMILY AFFAIR.
IT IS A TIME WHEN RELATIVES COME TOGETHER TO CELEBRATE THE
NEW YEAR AND TO REFLECT ON THE PAST YEAR. IT IS A TIME
OF HAPPINESS. BEFORE COLONIZATION, FAMILIES WOULD MEET AT THE
HOME OF THE OLDEST MALE RELATIVE.
AN EXAMPLE WOULD BE THE FATHER, GRANDFATHER, A NEPHEW OR
AN UNCLE OR A DISTANT MALE RELATIVE.
FAMILY MEMBERS ARE PRESENT. INDIVIDUALS CAN ONLY BE EXCUSE
IN THE CASE OF DEATH OR SERIOUS ILLNESS.
RELATIVES WHO LIVE FAR AWAY USUALLY ARRIVE AHEAD OF
SCHEDULE; THEY ARRIVE A DAY AHEAD.
ON THE LAST DAY OF THE YEAR, A SMALL CELEBRATION IS HELD.
RELATIVES ARE OFFICIALLY WELCOME, THE OLDEST MALE IS
PRESENTED WITH GIFTS. THE GIFTS CONSISTS OF CORN,
CATTLE, WHEAT OR RICE. THE YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN USUALLY
ARE GATHERED OUTSIDE AND ARE CIRCLED BY
A FIRE. THEY CARRY ON A CONVERSATION. THE GRANDMOTHERS
SIT WITH THE CHILDREN NEAR A FIRE AND TELL FOLKTALES.
ON NEW YEAR'S MORNING, GOATS ARE SLAUGHTERED. THE YOUNG
MEN PREPARE THE GOAT FOR COOKING AND ROASTING. THE
WOMEN TRAVELS INTO THE FOREST TO GATHER WOOD. THE WOMEN
RETURN AND PREPARE THE MEAL FOR THE BIG CELEBRATION.
WHILE THE WOMEN ARE COOKING, THE MEN ARE GATHERED
IN A SPECIAL GROUP TO CONVERSE AND TO DRINK PINEWINE. A PINE IS
SHARED AMONG THE MALES. MATTERS OF VITAL IMPORTANCE
ARE DISCUSSED. VILLAGE IMPROVEMENT IS ALSO DISCUSSED.
THE HARVEST CELEBRATION IS USUALLY READY BY MID_AFTERNOON.
EVERYONE EATS AT THIS TIME. AFTER EVERYONE HAS EATEN,
THE WOMEN ARE LEFT ALONE TO PERFORM THE CLEANING.
THE MEN RETIRE TO ANOTHER LOCATION TO DISCUSS THE NEW YEAR.
AFTER CLEANING THE COOKING UTENSILS AND YARD,
THE WOMEN RETURN AND THE VILLAGE ELDERS
USUALLY PRAISE THE WOMEN FOR THE DELICIOUS MEAL
AND ENCOURAGES EVERYONE TO MAKE A WISH FOR THE NEW YEAR.
AFTER THE PRAISES AND SPEECH BY THE ELDERS,
WOMEN, MEN AND CHILDREN ALIKE ARE JOINED TOGETHER
FOR A FESTIVAL WHICH INCLUDES MUSIC AND DANCE.
AT THE END OF THE MUSIC WHICH USUALLY BRING THE HARVEST
TO AN END, A GRANDPARENT LEADS ALL IN PRAYERS FOR A SAFE
JOURNEY HOME.
THIS BRING A HAPPY AND MEMORABLE CELEBRATION TO AN END.
Submitter comment:
THE CELEBRATION IS HELD DURING THE MONTH OF JANUARY.
WE PARTICIPATE IN THIS FESTIVAL ANNUALLY.
Where learned: LIBERIA ; BONG COUNTY
James Callow Keyword(s): IT IS ALSO SEXES ; SEPARATION OF THE SEXES ; SEXISM
Date learned: 00-00-1968
PLANTING CUSTOM
DURING HARVEST, THE FARMER WITH THE BEST HARVEST, GIVES A PARTY
TO WHICH ALL THE OTHER FARMERS ARE INVITED AND THEY CELEBRATE HIS
GOOD FORTUNES, GIVING HIM A TITLE FOR HIS ACHIEVEMENT.
Submitter comment: THIS IS DONE IN NIGERIA
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F476 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Autumn Fall Harvest Thanksgiving BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 10-00-1981
THE REASON THAT HANUKAH IS CALLED THE FEAST OF LIGHTS IS BECAUSE
A LONG TIME AGO WHEN THE JEWS WERE AT WAR, THE PRIESTS WERE
GUARDING THE TEMPLE IN JERUSALEM DURING A SEIGE. THEY ONLY HAD
ENOUGH FUEL TO LIGHT THE LANTERN IN THE TEMPLE ONE DAY. BUT
MIRACULOUSLY THE LANTERN STAYED LIT FOR EIGHT FULL DAYS UNTIL
MORE FUEL COULD BE GOTTEN AND THE CITY WAS SAVED. SO NOW AT
HANUKAH IT IS TRADITION TO LIGHT THE MENORAH FOR 8 FULL
DAYS IN REMEMBRANCE OF THOSE BRAVE JEWS.
Submitter comment: LEARNED IN BROOKLYN, NEW YORK
Where learned: NEW YORK ; BROOKLYN
James Callow Keyword(s): HANUKKAH
| Subject headings: | 686 Eighths / Eight PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Winter CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Autumn Fall Harvest Thanksgiving |
Date learned: 00-00-1965
THANKSGIVING DAY FOOD TRADITION
ON THANKSGIVING DAY, THE ALLEN FAMILY EATS CREAMED ONIONS.
Submitter comment: THIS ITEM WAS LEARNED IN DETROIT
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; BOTSFORD GRADE SCHOOL ; WAYNE COUNTY
Date learned: CA00001930S
CHRISTMAS IN ITALY
THIS IS THE WAY MRS. POPP CELEBRATED CHRISTMAS
UNTIL SHE WAS SEVEN YEARS OLD, WHEN SHE AND HER FAMILY
MOVED TO AMERICA, LEAVING THE TRADITIONS IN ITALY.
CHRISTMAS IN ITALY STARTS IN EARLY FALL AND ENDS ON JANUARY 6
WITH THE ARRIVAL OF LA BAFANA, SANTA'S ASSISTANT.
IN THE EARLY FALL THE YOUNG CHILDREN WOULD GO HOUSE TO
HOUSE BEGGING FOR WOOD, PREPARING FOR THE MOST EXCITING
PART OF THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY, THE GIANT BONFIRE. EVERY YEAR
THE BIGGEST THICKEST LOG, CALLED THE YULE LOG WAS SAVED
THROUGHOUT THE YEAR FOR GOOD LUCK. INSTEAD OF A CHRISTMAS
TREE ITALIANS SET UP A PRESEPIO, AN ELABORATE MODEL OF
BETHLEHEM. THE CRADLE WAS LEFT EMPTY UNTIL CHRISTMAS EVE
WHEN A SPECIAL CHILD WAS GIVEN THE HONOR OF PLACING THE
SMALL STATUE IN THE CRADLE. AT THE CENONE (GREAT BIG DINNER)
SEVEN DIFFERENT KINDS OF FISH ARE SERVED. BEFORE THE FAMILY
GOES TO BED THEY LEAVE CAKES AND CANDY ON THE TABLE AS AN OPEN
INVITATION FOR MARY AND HER SMALL CHILD TO SPEND THE NIGHT.
THIS WAS THEIR WAY OF TELLING MARY THAT THEY NEVER WANTED HER
TO LOOK FOR A PLACE TO LAY HER CHILD, SHE WAS ALWAYS WELCOME
IN THEIR HOMES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 02-00-1984
ON THANKSGIVING, MY FATHER WOULD PUT
A SILVER DOLLAR COIN IN THE STUFFING.
WHOEVER FOUND THE COIN IN THE STUFFING
WOULD HAVE GOOD LUCK FOR THE NEXT YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Autumn Fall Harvest Thanksgiving |
Date learned: 00001970S
THE RECIPE FOR RAGOUT
FIRST YOU MAKE A BROWN GRAVY BY MIXING BROWN FLOUR AND WATER
TO THE DESIRED CONSISTANCY. YOU THEN ADD EQUAL AMOUNTS BY
WEIGHT OF PIG'S FEET AND CHICKEN. THIS MIXTURE IS THEN ALLOWED
TO SIMMER FOR ONE HOUR AND IS THEN READY TO SERVE.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS WHAT IS CONSIDERED A POOR MAN'S MEAL AND IS EATEN
AS AN APPETIZER BEFORE THANKSGIVING DINNER AS A REMINDER
TO WHAT WE HAVE TO BE THANKFUL FOR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Autumn Fall Harvest Thanksgiving Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals |
NEVER PICK PUMPKINS, UNTIL AFTER THE FIRST FROST.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LINCOLN PARK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Autumn Fall Harvest Thanksgiving BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- P535 |
DR. SNIDER'S WIFE, KIT, ALWAYS MAKES A RASPBERRY JELLO MOLD
FOR THANKSGIVING. ONE YEAR SHE SUBSTITUTED FOR THE
USUAL INGREDIENTS AND THE FAMILY COMPLAINED FOR WEEKS. NOW SHE
MAKES THE JELLO EVERY YEAR TO AVOID ANY HASSLES.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A TRADITION WHICH STARTED WITH THE SNIDERS WITHIN
THE LAST THIRTY YEARS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WEST BLOOMFIELD
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Autumn Fall Harvest Thanksgiving Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals |
Date learned: 09-12-1990
There is a tale of mistletoe that tells of priests
harvesting it, never letting it touch the ground.
It thereafter was hung over doors and arches as a
sign of welcome to priests, and as a protection
against witches.
Submitter comment:
Some priests still practice this for sake of
tradition.
Where learned: ENGLAND ; LONDON
Keyword(s): SAFETY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Autumn Fall Harvest Thanksgiving BELIEF -- Witch Shaman BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 00-00-1990
MY FAMILY AND I WENT APPLE PICKING EVERY FALL OF MY
CHILDHOOD. WE WOULD GO TO ROMEO, MICHIGAN'S "BIG RED APPLE
ORCHARD AND RIDE A HAY WAGON TO THE TREES. ONE YEAR WHEN I WAS
ABOUT FIVE AND MY SISTER WAS ABOUT THREE, MY SISTER ATE AN APPLE--
SEEDS, CORE, AND ALL. MY GRANDPARENTS TOLD HER AN APPLE TREE
WOULD GROW IN HER TUMMY. SHE BELIEVED THEM AND SO DID I.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Plant CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Autumn Fall Harvest Thanksgiving BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 00001973CA
Wishing
When eating Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner, cut out the
wishbone carefully without breaking it. Let the bone dry
overnight so it will snap easily. When the bone is dry, two
people take ahold of opposite ends of the wishbone. Then you
count to three, "one, two, three, go..." and each person pulls on
the bone at the same time until the bone breaks. Whoever gets the
larger segment of the bone has their wish granted. To cheat place
your thumb on the bone which connects the two bones together and
you push forward while they pull. This snaps the bone below the
connecting piece, making the other person's bone shorter.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Frankenmuth
Date learned: 00-00-1976
On November 25 of every year all the family get together and
have dinner. It is a Thanksgiving, prechristmas type of deal.
Dinner is on this day so that all the family can have dinner
together, and on Thanksgiving you can visit your in-laws or whom
ever. Most importantly on this day we all put our names in a hat
and pull a name. Whom ever you pick this is who you buy a
Christmas gift for. On Christmas day we exchange.
Submitter comment:
The family is so large that you can't usually buy a good gift
for every one; this way everyone gets a nice gift and you don't
have to feel bad because you left someone out.
Where learned: DETROIT
Date learned: 00001960S
SUKKAHS
THE SUKKAHS IS A SHELTER BUILT OF FOUR WALLS AND A
ROOF OF TWIGS. IT IS BUILT BY THOSE JEWS CELEBRATING
THE FLIGHT OF THE JEWS FROM EGYPT, IN THE BACK YARD
OF THEIR HOME. THE FAMILY LIVES IN THE SUKKAHS FOR
SEVERAL DAYS (1-7 DEPENDING HOW STRONGLY ORTHODOX
THEY ARE) AT HARVEST TIME.
Submitter comment:
THE PRONOUNCIATION IS SU KE.
JEWS IN DETROIT PRACTICE THIS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Autumn Fall Harvest Thanksgiving |
Date learned: 10-23-1970
CHINESE FESTIVAL
THE MOON FESTIVAL IS A MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL. IT TAKES
PLACE ON THE FIFTEENTH DAY OF THE EIGHTH MOON.
AT NIGHT SOME FARMERS WILL MAKE OFFERINGS TO THE MOON
IN EXCHANGE FOR A GOOD HARVEST IN THE COMING YEAR.
FRIENDS WILL GIVE EACH OTHER "MOONCAKES" AND CHILDREN
WILL LIGHT THEIR LANTERNS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- September 23 equinox to December 20 Also used for Advent. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Autumn Fall Harvest Thanksgiving |
Date learned: 02-24-1968
PIE PLATE GAME
THIS WAS PLAYED ON THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS EVE.
THEY TOOK A PIE PLATE AND A PERSON WOULD SPIN
IT AND SOMEONE ELSE HAD TO GET IT BEFORE IT STOPPED
SPINNING. IT WAS WILD!
Submitter comment:
HER HUSBAND'S FAMILY PLAYED THIS.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CUSTOM ; GAME ; holiday ; tradition
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Autumn Fall Harvest Thanksgiving |
Date learned: 04-15-1967
BROKEN BREAD
ON NEW YEAR'S EVE IN RURAL BULGARIA, THE OLDEST PERSON
IN THE HOUSEHOLD BREAKS A FRESH LOAF OF BREAD OVER
HIS HEAD. IF WHEN THE LOAF BREAKS, THE LARGEST
CHUNK REMAINS IN THE RIGHT HAND, THERE WILL BE GOOD
HARVEST FORTHCOMING. THERE WILL NOT BE A GOOD HARVEST
IF THE LARGEST PIECE OF BREAD BREAKS INTO HIS LEFT
HAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; BULGARIA
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
Date learned: 03-21-1970
Custom; Agriculture
Letter dated 1852 relates the events of a negro corn-shucking. Slaves invite their friends from neighboring plantations and they make a party out of shucking a tremendous amount of corn.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: Journal of American Folklore ; A Negros Corn Shucking
Keyword(s): CORN ; CUSTOM ; Gathering ; HARVEST ; NEGRO ; PARTY ; Plantation ; Shuck ; Slavery ; Slaves ; South
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Autumn Fall Harvest Thanksgiving |