Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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ANIMAL
IF YOU EAT A HOG'S EYE, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO SEE THE COLOR
OF THE WIND.
THE WIND IS SAID TO BE RED.
Submitter comment:
MY MOTHER STATED THAT MY GRANDFATHER ATE A HOG'S EYE AND
SAW THE RED WIND. SHE SAID IT SCARED HIM TO DEATH.
Where learned: GEORGIA ; MILLEDGEVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Insect BELIEF -- Color |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
FOLK BELIEFS
A SORE WILL NOT HEAL DURING DOG DAYS. DOG DAYS ARE FORTY
DAYS DURING LATE SUMMER. IT USUALLY STARTS THE LAST OF
JULY TO LATE AUGUST.
Submitter comment:
MY AUNT ALWAYS SAID THIS DURING DOG DAYS. TO A CERTAIN EXTENT IT
WAS TRUE. SORES TOOK A LONG TIME TO HEAL.
Where learned: GEORGIA ; MILLEDGEVILLE
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- July CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- August CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Summer BELIEF -- Measure of time Summer BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
SIGNS OF THE DEVIL
IF LEAVES DANCE IN A CIRCLE WHILE THE WIND IS BLOWING THEM,
IT IS A SIGN OF THE DEVIL.
Where learned: GEORGIA ; MILLEDGEVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Wind Whirlwind Hurricane Cyclone Tornado BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Circle and other round forms |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
SIGNS OF REVELATIONS
WHEN THE FIG TREES BLOOM IT IS A SIGN THAT THE WORLD IS NEARING
ITS END.
Submitter comment:
MY AUNT WATCHES THE FIG TREE THAT SHE HAS IN HER YARD CONSTANTLY
TO SEE IF IT HAS BLOOMED.
Where learned: GEORGIA ; MILLEDGEVILLE
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Creation and Order of Universe BELIEF -- Origin of Characteristics of Plants BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
SPANISH CUSTOM ; SPANISH VERSE
SANA QUE SANA CULITO DE RANA,
QUE POR LA MANANA YA ESTARA SANA/
GET WELL, GET WELL, LITTLE FROG ASS,
THAT BY MORNING YOU WILL BE ALL RIGHT.
THIS VERSE, IN SPANISH HOUSEHOLDS,
IS REPEATED TO SMALL CHILDREN BY
THEIR FATHER OR MOTHER TO HELP RELIEVE
THE PAIN OF A SMALL INJURY.
Submitter comment:
WHEN MY BROTHER AND SISTERS AND I WERE YOUNG AND HAPPENED
TO SKIN A KNEE OR ELBOW OR SOMETHING, MY FATHER
WOULD REPEAT THIS VERSE TO US WHILE PATTING THE KNEE,
ELBOW, ETC. IN AN EFFORT TO MAKE US FEEL BETTER.
HE ALWAYS RECITED IT IN SPANISH, AND I NEVER KNEW THE
TRANSLATION UNTIL RECENTLY.
Where learned: PUERTO RICO ; AGUADA
Date learned: CA00001930S
BELIEF
PUTTING AN EXTRA CANDLE ON A BIRTHDAY CAKE WILL BRING GOOD
LUCK TO THE PERSON WHO IS CELEBRATING THEIR BIRTHDAY.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Private birthday or anniversary BELIEF -- P647 BELIEF -- Number BELIEF -- Good luck P881.1 BELIEF -- Good luck P881.4 |
Date learned: CA00001950S
EASTERTIDE
ON THE DAY AFTER EASTER A BOY WILL MAKE A BRAID OUT OF RIBBON, AND
THEN HE GOES TO THE GIRL OF HIS CHOICE, AND SHE'LL TWIRL AROUND IN
FRONT OF HIM, AS HE HITS HER WITH THE BRAID.
THIS SEEMS TO BE ENJOYED BY EVERYONE IN THE VILLAGE
Submitter comment:
POLAND. SHE LIVED IN A SMALL VILLAGE OUTSIDE OF WARSAW.
MY INFORMANT LEARNED ABOUT THIS CUSTOM WHEN SHE WAS A SMALL GIRL IN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE
James Callow Keyword(s): RITUAL WHIPPING
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus |
CURSES
WHEN YOU ARE PLAYING DICE, MAKE AN "X" ON THE TABLE SO THAT YOUR
OPPONENT DOES NOT ROLL A PAIR, OR WHATEVER YOU ARE ROLLING.
Submitter comment:
THE "X" IS SOMETHING SIMILAR TO A CROSS, SO IT MIGHT BE A TYPE OF
BLESSING, INSTEAD OF A HEX.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; RIVERVIEW
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Curse BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications BELIEF -- Good luck BELIEF -- Conversions |
Date learned: 03-00-1979
BAD LUCK
DON'T BUY BROOMS IN AUGUST. IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment: I THINK THAT THIS IS A VERY CRAZY BELIEF.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- August BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 00-00-1978
APOTHEGM
MEASURE TWICE, CUT ONCE. THIS IS THE GOLDEN RULE IN THE GLASS
BUSINESS.
Submitter comment: THIS HAS A VERY SIMPLE MEANING: BE CAREFUL }
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; RIVERVIEW
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: POSITIVE
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
THEATER SUPERSTION
READING THE SCRIPT BACKSTAGE OF THE PLAY YOU ARE IN, IS BAD
LUCK.
Submitter comment:
I HAVE BEEN IN PLAYS WHERE THE PERSON WHO HAS DONE THIS HAD
DIFFICULTY IN REMEMBERING HIS LINES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
COFFIN ONSTAGE.
IF THERE IS A COFFIN ONSTAGE, SOMEONE CLOSE TO THE ACTOR WILL
DIE. THIS HAPPENED TO ME BECAUSE I HAD TWO FRIENDS WHO
DIED ON THEIR WAY TO THE THEATER WHERE I WAS OPENING IN
DRACULA.
Submitter comment: MISS BRINKLEY ASSURED ME THAT THIS REALLY DID HAPPEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | Observation Favorites BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
MACBETH
THERE IS A CURSE ON THIS PLAY AND I HAVE SEEN IT WORK. DURING
REHEARSALS FOR ONE PLAY, SOMEONE SAID A LINE FROM THE PLAY, AND
THE DIRECTOR STOPPED REHEARSALS AND TOLD THE GUILTY PERSON
TO GO OUT INTO THE HALL, TURN AROUND THREE TIMES, AND KNOCK
ON THE THEATER DOOR AND BE LET IN. THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO LIFT
THE CURSE. ANOTHER TIME, I WAS IN ANOTHER PLAY AND THE SAME
THING HAPPENED, BUT THIS TIME, WHEN THE PERSON WAS ASKED TO
LEAVE, HE WOULDN'T GO. A FEW MINUTES LATER, THE SAFETY PIN
HOLDING HIS COSTUME TOGETHER POPPED OPEN AND PIERCED HIS HAND.
Submitter comment:
DURING A PLAY I WAS IN AT MARYGROVE, I SAW THIS CURSE WORK.
THE FIRST THING THAT HAPPENED WAS THAT THE LEAD STARTED TO
HYPERVENTILATE AND NEARLY PASSED OUT. THE SECOND THING WAS
THAT THINGS STARTED TO FALL DOWN BACKSTAGE WHEN NO ONE WAS NEAR
THEM. THE SECOND LEAD NEARLY SEVERED HIS THUMB WHILE CUTTING
BREAD, AND A LITTLE BOY WAS HURT WHEN A HEAVY MIRROR FELL AND
HIT HIM ON THE HEAD.
MARYGROVE COLLEGE IS IN DETROIT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple Favorites BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Curse BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
WHISTLING IN THE DRESSINGROOMS.
IT IS BAD LUCK TO WHISTLE IN THE DRESSINGROOMS.
Submitter comment:
I HAVE SEEN THIS IN ACTION. I WAS AT ONE TIME IN A PLAY AT
GREENFIELD VILLAGE. DURING INTERMISSION I WAS IN THE
DRESSINGROOM, AND SOMEONE WAS WHISTLING. SOMEONE CAME IN AND
SAID THAT THIS WAS A BAD THING TO DO, BUT THE PERSON
JUST LAUGHED. THAT NIGHT DURING A DANCE ROUTINE, I ALMOST SLIPPED
AND FELL DOWN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
SUPERSTITIONS IN THE THEATER.
AT NOTRE-DAME THERE WAS A GHOST WHO USED TO RATTLE THE PIPES THAT
HELD THE SCENERY UP, AND AT ONE TIME TOUCHED A FRIEND OF MINE.
HE WAS UPSTAIRS IN THE OFFICE WHEN HE HEARD FOOTSTEPS COMING UP
THE STAIRS. HE HID IN THE HALL SO HE COULD SEE WHO IT WAS,
BECAUSE THERE WAS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE ANYONE THERE.
HE WAITED AND WAITED, BUT THE SOUND WAS ALL HE COULD HEAR. THEN
THEY SUDDENLY STOPPED. HE WENT DOWN THE STAIRS TO SEE WHO IT
WAS BUT THERE WAS NO ONE ON THE STAIRS. AS HE CAME DOWN EVEN FURTHER,
HE FELT SOMEONE PAT HIM ON THE BACK. HE FINALLY REALIZED THAT HE
HAD COME IN CONTACT WITH THE THEATER'S GHOST. I SUPPOSE THAT THE
GHOST WAS AT ONE TIME, A VERY GOOD ACTOR, AND WHEN HE PATTED MY
FRIEND ON THE BACK, HE WAS TELLING HIM HOW GREAT HE WAS. MY FRIEND
WAS A REALLY GOOD ACTOR.
Submitter comment:
HER FRIEND AT NOTRE-DAME TOLD HER THIS A FEW HOURS AFTER HIS
ENCOUNTER.
NOTRE-DAME UNIVERSITY IS LOCATED IN INDIANA.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
GHOST STORIES.
MY MAMA WAS REAL SICK, AND SHE WAS LYING IN BED, AND THE DOCTOR
THOUGHT THAT SHE WAS GOING TO DIE. WELL, SHE SAW HER SISTER WHO
HAD DIED A FEW YEARS BEFORE, STANDING BY HER BED. THE FIGURE
LOOKED AT HER, AND SAID IN A STRANGE VOICE, " NO, NOT YET. " AND
A FEW DAYS LATER SHE WAS WELL AGAIN AND LIVED FOR MANY YEARS AFTER.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A TRUE STORY THAT HAPPENED TO MY GRANDMOTHER LONG BEFORE
SHE GOT MARRIED. SINCE THIS TIME, SHE HAS BEEN INTERESTED IN
ASTROLOGY, FORTUNE TELLING, ETC.
Where learned: HOME ; DETROIT ; BEDROOM
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 03-00-1979
FOLK FOODS.
SANGRIA: ONE BOTTLE OF WINE; CLARET OR BURGANDY. PUT WINE
IN A CONTAINER. PUT TWO ORANGES SLICED SIDEWISE IN ORDER TO KEEP
THE RIND. TWO LEMONS SLICED THE SAME WAY. SUGAR 1/4 CUP. LEAVE
ALL THIS IN THE REFRIGERATOR OVER NIGHT. NEXT DAY, ADD 1/2 CUP
OF CUANTRO- ORANGE LIQUER, OR 1/2 CUP OF BRANDY.
BEFORE SERVING, PUT ONE QUART OF SODA WATER TO WINE AND STIR.
ADD ANOTHER TO THE SECOND SERVING.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS AN OLD FAMILY WINE RECIPE FROM MY MOTHER'S FAMILY. SHE
AT FIRST SHE DIDN'T WANT TO DISCLOSE THE SECRET, BUT SHE FINALLY
TOLD ME.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | Favorites Food Drink -- Alcoholic beverage |
Date learned: 03-00-1979
GHOST STORY
MY SISTER HELEN WAS ILL AND I WAS LIVING IN ANOTHER TOWN. I HAD
A DOG THEN AND ONE NIGHT THIS DOG STARTED HOWLING AND I COULDN'T
GET HIM TO SHUT UP. IT HOWLED ALL NIGHT, AND THE NEXT MORNING,
I GOT A CALL FROM SOMEONE WHO TOLD ME THAT MY SISTER HAD DIED.
Submitter comment:
THIS STORY IS TRUE AND MY GRANDMOTHER STILL REMEMBERS HOW SHE
FELT WHEN IT HAPPENED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 03-00-1979
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
COURTSHIP CUSTOMS
GIVE YOUR GIRL OR BOY FRIEND A GIFT ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE
FIRST MONTH, THE SECOND DAY OF THE SECOND MONTH . . . ETC.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
James Callow Keyword(s): CHAIN
Date learned: 02-00-1979