Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for P574.2 returned 207 results.
NEW YEAR'S CUSTOM
WASHING WITH A PIECE OF SILVER
SO THE NEW YEAR WILL BE PROSPEROUS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; informant's home
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; CONTAGIOUS MAGIC ; HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC
Date learned: 10-22-1968
NEW YEAR'S CUSTOM
IF YOU LAY A BROOM ACROSS THE DOOR-WAY,
THE FIRST PERSON TO PICK IT UP AND GIVE IT
TO YOU WILL BE AN ENEMY OF YOURS THAT YEAR.
Submitter comment:
LEARNED FROM GRANDMOTHER
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FIRST FOOTING
Date learned: 12-06-1967
NEW YEAR
IF YOU OWE SOMEONE MONEY ONE YEAR AND YOU CARRY THE DEBT
OVER TO THE NEW YEAR, YOU WILL EXPERIENCE SOME TYPE OF FINANCIAL
DIFFICULTIES THE REST OF THE NEW YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WESTLAND ; informant's home
Date learned: 02-08-1970
NEW YEAR CUSTOM
THERE IS A GREEK TRADITION WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO BRING
GOOD LUCK. THERE IS A PASTRY CALLED PETA WHICH IS BAKED
IN A SQUARE PAN. BEFORE IT IS BAKED THE COOK PUTS
MONEY RANGING FROM A NICKEL TO FIFTY CENTS. IT USED TO BE
A FIFTY CENT PIECE BUT NOW THAT MONEY IS PRECIOUS IT'S GETTING
SMALLER AND SMALLER. ANYWAYS, THEY PUT THIS COIN IN THE DOUGH
AND BAKE IT. THE PERSON WHO GETS THE PIECE WITH THE COIN
WILL HAVE GOOD LUCK THAT WHOLE YEAR. THE CEREMONY HAPPENS ON
NEW YEAR'S DAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): DOUGH CALLED "FILO" ; GIFTGIVING ; GREEK CHEESE IS CALLED "FETA"
Date learned: 02-23-1972
CUSTOM-FIRST FOOTING
THE FIRST PERSON TO STEP FOOT IN YOUR HOUSE AFTER THE NEW YEAR
CANNOT DO SO EMPTY-HANDED. IF THEY DO IT MEANS THAT YOU AND YOUR
FAMILY WILL HAVE A LEAN YEAR. IF THEY BRING A GIFT, THEN YOU AND
YOUR FAMILY WILL HAVE A FAT YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC ; SYMBOLIC ACTION
Date learned: 09-26-1965
CUSTOM
WHEN INFORMANT WAS LITTLE, A FAMILY
CUSTOM AT NEW YEAR'S WAS TO BE SURE THAT
SOMEONE--THE FIRST PERSON INTO THE HOUSE AFTER
MIDNIGHT--BROUGHT WITH HIM SOME BREAD
AND A BOTTLE OF WINE TO INSURE A FULL
CUPBOARD DURING THE COMING YEAR. IF NO ONE
WAS GOING TO BE OUT LATE, THE PROVISIONS
WERE LEFT OUT ON THE KITCHEN TABLE UNTIL
MORNING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
Keyword(s): GIFTGIVING ; HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC
Date learned: 11-08-1967
NEW YEAR'S CUSTOM
THE POLISH WRITE THE NEW YEAR ON THE INSIDE OF THE DOOR OF
THEIR HOUSE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; RENO HALL ; DETROIT
Date learned: 11-14-1968
CUSTOM
ON HOLY SATURDAY, FILL A BASKET WITH COLORED EGGS, HAM,
KIELBASA, HORSERADISH, A SMALL ROUND BREAD, VEGETABLES,
SALT, PEPPER, AND CANDIES. TAKE THE BASKET OF FOOD TO A
POLISH CATHOLIC CHURCH AND IT WILL BE BLESSED.
Submitter comment:
THE FOOD IS BLESSED SO THAT THERE WILL BE PLENTY FOR THE
YEAR THAT FOLLOWS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 663 Holy Saturday BELIEF -- Measure of time Year |
Date learned: 10-20-1977
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
SUPERSTITION
YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO SPANK A BABY BEFORE THEY'RE A YEAR OLD, OR THE
CHILD WILL TURN OUT TO BE A HORRID PERSON.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): PUNISHMENT
Date learned: 03-00-1979
SUPERSTITION
WEAR WHITE UNDERWEAR ON THE FIRST OF THE YEAR TO BE
PROTECTED FROM EVIL SPIRITS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
Submitter comment:
WHITE, AS THE SIGN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS CAN NOT BE
TOLERATED BY EVIL SPIRITS, ACCORDING TO THE INFORMANT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; LOUNGE
Date learned: 02-22-1979
FAMILY SUPERSTITION
FOR GOOD LUCK IN THE NEW YEAR, YOU MUST PLACE A QUATER OUTSIDE YOUR
FRONT DOOR ON NEW YEAR'S DAY.
THEN REMOVE IT AT THE END OF THE DAY.
Submitter comment:
THIS FAMILY HAS BEEN DOING THIS FOR AS MANY GENERATIONS BACK
AS THEY KNOW OF
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
James Callow Keyword(s): COIN MONEY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's BELIEF -- Measure of time Year BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
DARK HAIRED MAN MUST BE FIRST TO ENTER HOUSE ON NEW YEAR'S DAY FOR
YOU TO HAVE LUCK THE ENTIRE YEAR.
Submitter comment: SCOTTISH SUPERSTITION
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN HEIGHTS
Keyword(s): FIRST-FOOTING
Date learned: 01-00-1979
SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST'S NIGHT.
ON THE EVE OF SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST'S DAY EVERYBODY GOES TO THE
BEACHES TO SPEND THE NIGHT THERE. THERE ARE CERTAIN RITUALS DONE ON
THAT NIGHT THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO BRING GOOD LUCK THE FOLLOWING YEAR.
FOR EXAMPLE: AT MIDNIGHT YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO THROW YOURSELF THREE
TIMES BACKWARDS IN THE SEA FOR GOOD HEALTH. A YOUNG GIRL SHOULD PUT
TWO NEEDLES IN A GLASS OF WATER,SYMBOLIZING HERSELF AND HER BOYFRIEND
IF THE NEXT DAY THE NEEDLES ARE TOGETHER SHE WILL MARRY THAT MAN.
ALSO SHE SHOULD PUT THREE BEANS UNDER HER PILLOW THAT NIGHT. ONE
SHOULD HAVE THE SKIN ON WHICH MEANS SHE WILL MARRY A RICH MAN. THE
SECOND ONE SHOULD BE HALF PEELED SIMBOLIZING MIDDLE CLASS WEALTH AND
THE THIRD ONE SHOULD BE COMPLETELY PEELED MEANING POVERTY. IN THE
MORNING SHE SHOULD PUT HER HAND UNDER THE PILLOW WITHOUT LOOKING,
AND TAKE ONE BEAN. THIS WILL DETERMINE HER ECONOMICAL STATUS IN HER
MARRIAGE. PUT A GLASS OF WATER UNDER YOUR BED TO KEEP THE EVIL SPIRIT
AWAY THE REST OF THE YEAR.
Where learned: PUERTO RICO
Date learned: 00-00-1979
FOOD SERVED ON NEW YEAR'S DAY
IF YOU EAT PEAS ON NEW YEAR'S DAY, YOU WILL BE FINANCIALLY
STABLE THROUGHOUT THE NEW YEAR.
Where learned: DETROIT
Date learned: 01-00-1968
CUSTOM
IT IS BELIEVED BY POLISH FAMILIES IN AMERICA BUT ESPECIALLY
IN POLAND THAT ONE MUST PUT HAY UNDER ATROCIOUS DESIGNS OF THE
SILVERWARE IN ORDER TO CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS PROPERLY AND IN ORDER
TO HAVE A GOOD AND HAPPY NEW YEAR. IF ONE FAILED TO DO THIS, THEN
ONE WOULD HAVE SEVERAL YEARS OF EVIL SURROUNDING THE FAMILY AND
ONESELF AND THE DEVIL HIMSELF WOULD BE WAITING FOR THE OPPORTUNITY T
TAKE THE PERSON TO HELL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TROY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve BELIEF -- P 42 BELIEF -- Measure of time Year BELIEF -- P887 |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
FESTIVAL CUSTOM
ON CHINESE NEW YEAR, THE MALAYSIANS BELIEVE THAT ONE SHOULD NOT
CURSE, SCOLD, OR BE MEAN TO OTHERS AND THAT THEY SHOULD START OUT
THE NEW YEAR ON THE RIGHT FOOT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Festival BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Measure of time Year |
Date learned: 01-00-1979
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
ANGER ON NEW YEAR'S DAY WILL STAY THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's BELIEF -- Measure of time Year |
Date learned: 03-00-1980
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 |