Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for F542 returned 219 results.
WEDDING SHOWER CUSTOMS AND SUPERSTITIONS
AT WEDDING SHOWERS, THE RIBBONS AND BOWS ARE COLLECTED FROM THE
GIFTS AND SAVED BY MAKING A SLIT IN A PAPER PLATE AND INSERTING
THEM INTO PLACE. WHEN THE BRIDE-TO-BE OPENS HER GIFTS, SHE SHOULD
NOT BREAK, CUT OR TEAR THE RIBBONS. THE NUMBER SHE BREAKS IS AN
INDICATOR OF THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN SHE WILL CONCEIVE. A
VARIATION IS THE NUMBER OF BOWS BROKEN IS EQUAL TO THE NUMBER OF
YEARS SHE WILL WAIT TO HAVE HER FIRST BABY.
Submitter comment:
THE CUSTOM OF SAVING RIBBONS WAS FIRST HEARD BY THE COLLECTOR IN
1976. IT IS A RITE OF PASSAGE CEREMONY IN WHICH THE BRIDE-TO-BE
CHANGES FROM SINGLE TO MARRIED LIFE. HERE TWO VARIATIONS CAN BE
ILLUSTRATED. EACH IS DIFFERENT ALTHOUGH THE MAIN IDEA IS SIMILAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; USA ; SOUTHGATE
Date learned: 06-00-1978 ; 10-00-1976
GREEK BAPTISM
WHEN A GREEK CHILD IS BAPTISED AS AN INFANT, HE IS GIVEN A SAINT'S
NAME. THE GODFATHER HAS A WHITE BLANKET WHICH HE PLACES THE BABY IN.
THE PRIEST ANOINTS THE CHILD'S FOREHEAD, PALMS, AND FEET. HE IS THEN
CLOTHED IN BRAND NEW CLOTHES WHICH SYMBOLIZES HIS STARTING A NEW LIFE
WITH A CROSS PLACED AROUND HIS NECK.
Submitter comment:
THE GREEKS' WAY OF A BAPTISM IS SIMILAR TO THE CATHOLIC ONE, WITH A
SLIGHT VARIATION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications BELIEF -- Color |
Date learned: 00-00-1980
IN DETERMINING THE SEX OF A CHILD, THE GREEKS SPRINKLE SALT ON THE
BACK OF A WOMAN'S HEAD, IF SHE SCRATCHES THE LEFT SIDE, THEN SHE
WILL HAVE A GIRL. IF SHE SCRATCHES THE RIGHT SIDE OF HER HEAD,
THEN SHE WILL HAVE A BOY.
Submitter comment: I WAS ENTHRALLED BY THIS TECHNIQUE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Sensations and involuntary actions BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 00-00-1980
IF THE GIRL GAINS WEIGHT ONLY IN HER BELLY, SHE WILL HAVE A BOY.
Submitter comment: THIS SAYING PREDICTS THE BIRTH OF A BOY. I,M NOT SURE WHY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Body part Senses |
Date learned: 00-00-1980 ; 00-00-1950
IF THE GIRL GAINS MORE WEIGHT IN HER HIPS, LEGS, AND BUTTOCKS
SHE WILL HAVE A GIRL.
Submitter comment: I DON,T KNOW THE REASON FOR THIS SAYING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Body part Senses |
Date learned: 00-00-1980 ; 00-00-1950
POLISH WEDDING CUSTOM
WHEN THE COUPLE ENTER THE DOOR AT THE RECEPTION, THEY
ARE GIVEN WHOLE WHEAT BREAD. THIS IS BROKEN INTO
LITTLE PIECES AND GIVEN TO EACH OTHER. THIS
SYMBOLIZES THE SHARING OF THEIR FIRST BREAD TOGETHER.
THERE IS SALT ON THE BREAD. THIS SYMBOLIZES THAT
MARRIED LIFE WILL HAVE SOME BITTERNESS.
Submitter comment: SHE LEARNED THIS FROM HER FAMILY.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Date learned: 04-11-1967
YUGOSLAVIAN CUSTOM
WHEN A BABY IS YOUNG, A BLACK PEARL IS HUNG AROUND ITS
NECK. THIS PROVIDES PROTECTION FROM AN EVIL EYE.
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM HER MOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 04-10-1967
PRENATAL SUPERSTITION
MY WIFE HAS A PATTERN OF BIRTH MARKS ON HER SHOULDER
WHICH ENCOMPASS AN AREA OF ABOUT A SQUARE INCH. THE
MARKS SEEM TO DEPICT NO PARTICULAR PATTERN, BUT I WAS
INFORMED BY MY MOTHER-IN-LAW THAT THE PATTERN IS THAT
OF A CHICKEN WHICH IT MAY WELL BE. IT SEEMED THAT
WHEN MY MOTHER-IN-LAW WAS CARRYING MY WIFE, SHE
VISITED A FARM OF SOME FRIENDS. DURING THE COURSE
OF THE VISIT, SHE WENT IN SEARCH OF MY FATHER-IN-LAW.
STEPPING THROUGH A DOORWAY IN A SECTION OF THE BARN,
SHE UNWITTINGLY ENTERED THE CHICKEN-COUP. APPARENTLY
HER ARRIVAL SO DISTURBED THE CHICKENS THAT THEY BECAME
AROUSED. SHE CLAIMED SHE WAS ACTUALLY ATTACKED BY
SEVERAL OF THEM AND IT WAS ONLY WITH GREAT DIFFICULTY
THAT SHE ESCAPED UNHARMED. FOUR MONTHS LATER, MY
WIFE WAS BORN AND MY MOTHER-IN-LAW WAS NOT IN THE
LEAST SURPRISED TO SEE THE MARK OF THE CHICKENS UPON
HER SHOULDER. AS I SAID, IT MIGHT WELL BE THE MARK
OF A CHICKEN, ALTHOUGH WITHOUT PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE,
IT MAY TAKE ANY FORM ONE WISHES TO SEE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
EXPECTANT MOTHERS
TO HASTEN CHILDBIRTH, SEVERAL PEOPLE GATHER IN THE
MOTHER'S ROOM AND OPEN AND CLOSE THE BREECH OF A GUN.
THEY MAY EVEN SHOOT THE GUN OFF IN THE ROOM.
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM HER MOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Medicine |
Date learned: 04-10-1967
THE UMBILICAL CORD: A KNOTTY PROBLEM
IF YOU ARE PREGNANT, NEVER HOLD YOUR ARMS ABOVE YOUR
HEAD OR YOUR BABY WILL HAVE THE CORD WRAPPED AROUND
HIS NECK.
Submitter comment:
TOLD TO THE INFORMANT BY HER FRIEND, RUTH CLENDENEN
OF COLUMBUS, OHIO. MRS. WELLS, THEN PREGNANT, WAS
LIFTING UP HER ARMS. SHE ADDED TO ME THAT HER CHILD
WAS BORN WITH THE CORD TWISTED AROUND HIS NECK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 00-00-1961
DETERMINING SEX OF UNBORN CHILD
IF THE HEARTBEAT OF THE UNBORN CHILD IS FAST, IT
IS SAID TO BE A BOY; IF THE HEARTBEAT IS SLOW, IT
IS SAID TO BE A GIRL.
Submitter comment: SOURCE NOT REMEMBERED.
Where learned: BIRMINGHAM ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 11-10-1967
BIRTH
ON THE NINTH DAY AFTER A BABY WAS BORN, THE MOTHER
HAD TO LIE PERFECTLY STILL. THEY WOULDN'T EVEN LET
HER HAVE A PILLOW UNDER HER HEAD. BECAUSE THAT WAS
SUPPOSED TO BE THE DAY WHEN ALL HER FEMALE ORGANS
GO BACK INTO PLACE. BUT NOT (NOW) THEY GET A
MOTHER UP RIGHT AWAY!
Submitter comment:
LEARNED THIS AT HOME IN GLOUCESTER, OHIO, BUT
DOESN'T BELIEVE IN IT TODAY.
Where learned: SOUTHFIELD DOWNS TRAILER CAMP
| Subject headings: | 686 Ninths / Nine CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 05-19-1965
PREGNANT WOMEN
DON'T HAVE INTERCOURSE AFTER SEVEN MONTHS OF PREGNANCY;
YOU'LL GIVE BIRTH TO A DEFORMED CHILD.
Submitter comment: HER MOTHER AND RELATIVES (SOURCE)
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Seven / Sevenths / Several CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 04-15-1967
PREGNANT WOMEN
DON'T REACH WHEN YOU'RE PREGNANT YOU'L;L STRANGLE YOUR
BABY.
Submitter comment: (LEARNED FROM) HER MOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Seven / Sevenths / Several CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 04-15-1967
A NURSING SUPERSTITION
"YOUR GRANDMOTHER LAPERRIERE BELIEVED THAT IF A
WOMAN WAS FRIGHTENED WHILE NURSING A CHILD, HER MILK
WOULD SOUR."
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM HER HUSBAND'S PARENTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 03-10-1967
SUPERSTITION
ON AN ENGLISH PAPER THE INFORMANT STATED THAT IN HER
NEIGHBORHOOD IT IS AN ESTABLISHED BELIEF THAT "A GIRL
CANNOT GET PREGNANT UNTIL SHE HAS HAD SEXUAL
INTERCOURSE AT LEAST NINE TIMES."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
| Subject headings: | 686 Ninths / Nine CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: 00-00-1961
PREGNANCY CAUSE
DON'T LEAVE YOUR BABY'S WET DIAPER ON MY BED, OR
I'LL GET PREGNANT AGAIN.
Submitter comment:
TOLD TO ME BY MRS. VORNDAM LAST CHRISTMAS, WHEN I
WAS VISITING HER HOME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 12-25-1966
IF YOU LOOKED AT A CORPSE WHILE PREGNANT, THE CHILD
WOULD BE MARKED.
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM HER HUSBAND'S PARENTS, BUT NOT BELIEVED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 03-10-1967
GREEK CUSTOM-BIRTH
THE GREEK PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO CAME FROM
EUROPE, BIND THEIR BABIES' LEGS AT BIRTH TO KEEP THEM
FROM GROWING CROOKED.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT, WHO IS OF GREEK FAMILY SINCE HER
HUSBAND IS GREEK, LEARNED THIS FROM HER MOTHER-IN-LAW.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: 05-14-1965
BIRTH CUSTOM
IT WAS THE CUSTOM OF THE INFORMANT'S MOTHER, AT THE
BIRTH OF A CHILD, TO BIND IT TIGHTLY IN A LONG
CLOTH, WHICH WAS USUALLY ABOUT A FOOT IN WIDTH.
STARTING AT THE NECK, THIS CLOTH WAS WOUND VERY
TIGHTLY AROUND THE BABY'S BODY. THIS WAS WORN BY THE
BABY FOR THE FIRST SIX OR SEVEN WEEKS OF LIFE IN ORDER
TO INSURE THAT HE WOULD GROW STRAIGHT AND TALL.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT CAN REMEMBER WHEN SOME OF HER BROTHERS
AND SISTERS WERE BOUND AT BIRTH IN THIS WAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: 03-03-1965