Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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IF A MALE PERSON ENTERS YOUR HOUSE ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE YEAR
YOU WILL HAVE GOOD LUCK ALL YEAR LONG.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Date learned: 03-00-1982
HE WHO EATS SWEET FOOD WHILE WALKING WILL BE POSSESSED OF A DEVIL.
Submitter comment:
THIS EAST AFRICAN BELIEF IS MEANT TO DISCOURAGE EATING IN UNUSUAL
PLACES.
Where learned: TANZANIA ; EAST AFRICA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. |
Date learned: 03-00-1982
TO GO ABOUT BAREHEADED ON A MOONLIT NIGHT DRIES UP THE BRAIN AND THE
PERSON WILL EVENTUALLY GO MAD.
Where learned: TANZANIA ; EAST AFRICA
Date learned: 03-00-1982
WHEN A MEMBER OF THE JEWISH FAITH IS BURIED, A MEMBER OF THEIR
FAMILY MUST SHOVEL THE FIRST SHOVEL OF DIRT ONTO THE CASKET.
IF THEY ARE MARRIED IT MUST BE THE SPOUSE. IF THEY ARE NOT MARRIED
IT MUST BE A MEMBER OF THE IMMEDIATE FAMILY.
Submitter comment: LEARNED IN BROOKLYN NEW YORK
Where learned: NEW YORK ; BROOKLYN
CREOLE BELIEF
WALK BACKWARDS IF YOU CURSE YOUR MOTHER OR YOU WILL HAVE BAD LUCK.
Where learned: CALIFORNIA ; BREAUX BRIDGE ; LOS ANGELES
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Measure of time Year BELIEF -- Curse BELIEF -- Conversions |
Date learned: 00-00-1929
BEER OR "BITTER" IS SOLD AT PUBS IN ENGLAND BY THE PINT AND BY
THE HALF-PINT. HOWEVER, MEN ARE NEVER SUPPOSED TO ORDER HALF-PINTS
AS IT'S A SIGN OF A LACK OF MASCULINITY. WOMEN BY THE SAME TOKEN
SHOULD NEVER ORDER FULL PINTS AS IT'S A SIGN OF A LACK OF FEMININITY.
Where learned: ENGLAND ; CAMBRIDGE
James Callow Keyword(s): SEXISM
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Alcoholic beverage Fermented BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 07-00-1982
WHEN AN UNFAMILIAR GUEST ENTERS YOUR HOME, YOU
MUST HAVE FRESH FLOWERS IN THE HOUSE. THIS CUSTOM
ENSURED A HAPPY VISIT FOR BOTH PARTIES.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: CANADA ; COLLECTED BY MAIL ; MONTREAL
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; CUSTOM ; FLOWERS ; Guest ; HOSPITALITY ; SUPERSTITION ; tradition
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 00-00-1970
WHEN GOING OVER TRAIN TRACKS IN AN AUTOMOBILE, YOU
LIFT YOUR FEET IN THE AIR OR BAD LUCK WILL OCCUR.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Bad luck Activities |
Date learned: 00-00-1975
A RINGING IN THE EARS MEANS SOMEONE YOU KNOW IS SICK.
A RINGING IN THE EARS MEANS SOMEONE HAS DIED.
IF THE SECOND TOE OF A WOMAN IS LONGER THAN HER LARGE TOE,
SHE WILL HENPECK HER HUSBAND.
Where learned: OHIO ; CONTINENTAL
Date learned: 00001909-00001919 CHILDHOOD, 00001922-00001929, TEEN AGE YEARS
MONEY BELIEF
MY MOTHER ALWAYS GIVES A NEW-BORN BABY SILVER MONEY SO THAT IT
WILL NEVER BE IN NEED. THIS ONLY HAPPENS THE FIRST TIME SHE SEES
THE BABY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; BOTSFORD GRADE SCHOOL ; CLARENCEVILLE DISTRICT
Date learned: 11-00-1982
GIFT GIVING BELIEF
IF YOU GIVE A PERSON A KNIFE AS A GIFT, YOU MUST ALSO
INCLUDE A PENNY IN THE PACKAGE. FAILING TO INCLUDE A
PENNY ALONG WITH THE GIFT RISKS SEVERING THE FRIENDSHIP.
I REMEMBER HEARING THIS FROM MY MOTHER AROUND 1957.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT LATER REMEMBERED RECEIVING A SET OF KNIVES
AROUND 1967 WITH A PENNY INCLUDED. THE INFORMANT'S
MOTHER'S NAME IS LOUISE WILSON, BORN APRIL 27, 1911,
IN ALABAMA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth |
Date learned: 09-00-1982
GHOST LEGEND
IN 1949 I WENT TO AMORY, MISSISSIPPI TO VISIT FRIENDS. THE
LOCAL TOWNSPEOPLE WERE TELLING A STORY AMONG THEMSELVES
ABOUT A FAMILY, THE HAMPTONS, WHO LIVED IN TOWN. NOW,
AT THAT TIME, THERE WERE ONLY 3000-4000 PEOPLE LIVING
IN AMORY, SO THIS KIND OF STORY SPREAD PRETTY FAST.
IT SEEMS THAT MR. HAMPTON HAD DIED OF NATURAL CAUSES
IN 1943 WHEN HIS ONLY DAUGHTER WAS 10 YEARS OLD. IN 1949,
WHEN SHE WAS 16, IT WAS SAID THAT SHE BEGAN TO SEE HER
FATHER'S GHOST WAITING FOR HER AT THE FRONT GATE OF THE
FAMILY HOME WHENEVER SHE WENT OUT ALONE AT NIGHT. THE
SPIRIT WAS WAITING FOR HER TO RETURN SAFELY. THE GHOST
WOULD ONLY APPEAR WHEN SHE WAS ALONE AND WOULD QUICKLY
DISAPPEAR IF SHE TRIED TO APPROACH IT. HE NEVER ONCE SAID
ANYTHING. WHEN THE GIRL WAS SAFELY INSIDE THE HOUSE, THE
SPIRIT WOULD GO AWAY SATISFIED, ONLY TO REAPPEAR WHENEVER
SHE VENTURED OUT ALONE.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT LIVED IN LOUISVILLE, MISSISSIPPI FROM 1925
UNTIL THE FAMILY MOVED TO DETROIT DURING WORLD WAR II.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 11-00-1982
SUPERSTITION
INCLUDE SOME COINS (AT LEAST A PENNY) IN A KNIFE SET BOX WHEN
GIVING IT AS A GIFT OR ELSE IT WILL SEVER YOUR FRIENDSHIP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Bad luck Gifts BELIEF -- Bad luck Sharp objects |
Date learned: 00001970S
IF SOMEONE VISITS AND YOU DONT WANT THEM TO COME BACK THROW
SALT AFTER THEM AS THEY LEAVE.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 00001950S
IF TWO OR MORE PEOPLE COMB YOUR HAIR AT ONE TIME, THE YOUNGEST
WILL DIE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 00001950S
FIRST VISITOR ON FIRST DAY OF THE YEAR MUST BE A MAN. IF THE
VISITOR WERE A WOMAN, SHE BROUGHT BAD LUCK
Submitter comment: ITEM SHOWS SEXISM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MUSKEGON
Date learned: 09-19-1982
WHEN MOVING INTO A NEW HOUSE, FIRST CARRY IN A BOX OF
SALT, A LOAF OF BREAD, AND A BIBLE TO BLESS THE HOUSE.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT SAYS A HOUSE BLESSED IN THIS MANNER WILL
BE AN ENJOYABLE PLACE TO LIVE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 04-00-1983
ANOTHER CURE THAT MY MOTHER USED TO GIVE MY FATHER WAS FOR
SORES. THIS CURE WAS CALLED A BAGBON. WHAT THIS WAS I DO NOT
KNOW, BUT IT WAS A MIXTURE OF LARD AND CARBOLIC ACID.
Submitter comment:
MRS. TOWNE'S FATHER WAS ABLE TO COME HOME EACH DAY AFTER WORK,
BECAUSE HIS FAMILY LIVED CLOSE TO THE LUMBERING CAMP. MOST
LUMBERJACKS DID NOT ENJOY THIS LUXURY. IN FACT MRS. TOWNE
KNEW ONE LUMBERJACK WHO WALKED TWENTY MILES HOME AFTER WORK
ON SATURDAY AND THEN WALKED TWENTY MILES BACK THE NEXT DAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HOUGHTON LAKE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Work Commerce Business BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: 00001930S
AFRO-AMERICAN BELIEFS
TO TALK WITH THE DEAD WAIT UNTIL MIDNIGHT, WRITE THE NAME
OF THE PERSON YOU WISH TO CONVERSE WITH, COVER A GLASS
OF WATER WITH THE NAME WRITTEN ON A SHEET OF PAPER, AND
STAND BEFORE A MIRROR WITH LIGHTED CANDLE. THE FIGURE OF
THE PERSON WILL APPEAR IN THE MIRROR. MM
IF A PERSON SWEEPS ACROSS YOUR FEET WITH THE BROOM YOU
MUST SPIT UPON IT OR YOU WILL GO TO JAIL. MM
PICKING A MARRIAGE PARTNER:
A WOMAN WHOSE SECOND TOE IS LONGER THAN THE FIRST IS A
POOR CHOICE FOR A WIFE IN THAT SHE WILL MAKE HER
HUSBAND MISERABLE BY DOMINATION OR HER ATTEMPTS AT DOING
SO. MM
ANOTHER IS THAT A PREGNANT WOMAN SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED
TO PREPARE FOOD BECAUSE SHE IS UNCLEAN. MM
IF A MAN'S WIFE
CLIMBS ACROSS HIM TO GET OUT OF BED HE WILL BEAR THE
LABOR PAINS.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): CONTAGIOUS MAGIC ; TRANSFER
Date learned: 07-00-1967
DROP A FORK, EXPECT A VISITOR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 00-00-1983