Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for F620 returned 90 results.
Balinese custom
Nyepi is a holiday celebrated on March 21 with no function of
work. One must celebrate this holiday by talking, singing, and
dancing with friends and family. family.
Where learned: Bali ; Indonesia
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Festival CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Typical Elements of a Festive Pattern CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Movable Date |
Date learned: 00-00-1955
On the day of an outside party, hang a rosary on
a tree. This will be a token of good luck so that
it doesn't rain. My friend's mother did on the
day of her daughter's graduation party--it did not rain.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UTICA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Typical Elements of a Festive Pattern BELIEF -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 11-16-1990
OPPOSITES DAY
IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, A POPULAR THING TO DO IS DECLARE AN
OPPOSITES DAY. ONCE DECLARED, ANY INSULT DIRECTED AT A PERSON
WAS REVERSED. IF BILLY SAID ERIC WAS MEAN, AND ERIC DECLARED
OPPOSITES DAY, IT WAS AS IF BILLY HAD SAID THAT ERIC WAS NICE.
THIS IS OFTEN USED IN THE MIDDLE OF HEATED ARGUMENTS.
KIDS CAN USE THIS TO REVERSE PERSONAL INSULTS: "YOU ARE STUPID",
"YOU ARE UGLY"; AND PHYSICAL INSULTS: "YOUR CLOTHES DON'T
MATCH", "YOUR MAMMA WEARS ARMY BOOTS."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
James Callow Keyword(s): INVERSION
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Typical Elements of a Festive Pattern CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Irregular |
Date learned: 00001976CA
It was a custom that during the wakes for the departed that
were always held at a house the women would sit in the living
room with the body and cry and pray while the men sat in the
kitchen. They (the men) would eat, drink and make merry.
Submitter comment:
The informants' uncle learned to jig on the kitchen table at a
very young age at the wakes.
This is considered an Irish custom of that era.
Where learned: CAMBRIDGE ; Massachusetts
Keyword(s): Dancing: Irish Jig
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Crucial moment of life Life cycle CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Typical Elements of a Festive Pattern |
Date learned: 00-00-1935
EASTER BASKET BLESSING IS A POLISH TRADITION. ON HOLY
SATURDAY, A BASKET IS LOADED WITH TRADITIONAL ITEMS. DECORATED
EGGS, BUTTER LAMBS, HAM, BREAD, HORSERADISH, KIELBASA, POTATOES,
CANDY, AND WINE ARE CARRIED IN A COVERED BASKET TO THE CHURCH FOR
THE AFTERNOON BLESSING. THE BASKETS ARE LINED UP NEXT TO THE
PEWS. EACH CONTAINER WITHIN THE BASKET IS OPENED. THE BASKETS
ARE BLESSED WITH PRAYERS, INCENSE, AND HOLY WATER. SOME OF THE
FOOD IS USED FOR EASTER BREAKFAST. ALL OF THE BLESSED FOOD MUST
EVENTUALLY BE EATEN. IT MUST NOT BE THROWN AWAY OR WASTED.
Submitter comment:
THIS BLESSING IS STILL PERFORMED AT OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE
CHURCH IN HARPER WOODS, MICHIGAN. MY GRANDMA AND DAD ATTEND
ANNUALLY. I, TOO, SOMETIMES ATTEND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 00001920'S
Parties
Latvian parties, be it for a birthday, graduation, retirement, or
holiday, will often be turned into pig roasts with traditional
Latvian foods, music, dancing, and plenty of beer.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Typical Elements of a Festive Pattern |
Date learned: 00001971ca
Parade
In the Luzwick family, after each child was potty trained, the
members of the family had a parade to celebrate the child's
accomplishment. They used toy instruments, and traveled the house
cheering for the successful child.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO
Date learned: 00001971ca
Homecoming Parade
Every year during football season, my high school celebrates
Homecoming with a big parade. All the grade schools, middle schools,
and other high schools are represented by floats, bands, and marching
people. Area organizations, such as the Lion's Club,
are also represented. At the end of the parade, all of the
participants and observers meet at the school for a tailgate party,
and then go to the football game.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Typical Elements of a Festive Pattern |
Date learned: 09-00-1988
Do not wash clothes on New Year's Day because you'll wash a
person out of your family. The informant's mother died on January
15, 1982 right after the oldest sister washed clothes on January 1,
1982. The informant's mother was very upset because she was very
sick and she did die.
Date learned: 00-00-1955
It is traditional in many areas of Ohio to go outside at
midnight on New Year's Eve and bang together pots and pans. This
will bring good luck throughout the coming year.
Where learned: OHIO ; Amsterdam
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Typical Elements of a Festive Pattern BELIEF -- Measure of time Year BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 00-00-1956
Many Irish people climb the mountain Crogh Patrick for penance
on St Patrick's Day. Some of the older generation still climb the
mountain in their bare feet as was traditional. Climbing Crogh
Patrick is done to celebrate St. Patrick's bringing of
Christianity to Ireland.
Where learned: IRELAND
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- March 17 Feast of St. Patrick CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Typical Elements of a Festive Pattern BELIEF -- Religious hero |
SWEET SIXTEEN
AT A "SWEET SIXTEEN" PARTY, IT IS TYPICAL TO SEE
THE BIRTHDAY GIRL WEARING A CORSAGE MADE UP OF
ROSES AND SUGAR CUBES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Typical Elements of a Festive Pattern CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Private birthday or anniversary |
Date learned: 10-21-1968
IN CZECHOSLOVAKIA, THE JEWISH PEOPLE IN THE VILLAGE
WOULD NOT DO ANY WORK ON SATURDAY, THE SABBATH.
A GENTILE WOULD EVEN GO TO LIGHT THEIR STOVES
FOR THEM AND CARRY THEIR PRAYER BOOKS TO THE TEMPLE.
Submitter comment: FROM COLLECTOR'S MOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 03-02-1970
FAIR DAY IS THE MARKET DAY IN BANTRY (IRELAND?)
AND ALSO A GREAT DAY FOR DRINKING AND FIGHTING.
EVERY MAN CARRIES A SHILLELAGH (A STICK) AND WOE
BE TO YOU IF YOU WEREN'T WELL LIKED!
Submitter comment: CELEBRATED EVERY FIRST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; IRELAND
Date learned: 11-18-1970
ON ST. LUCY'S FEAST, PEOPLE IN SICILY MAKE A CRACKED
WHEAT CEREAL THAT THEY EAT THE WHOLE DAY, NOTHING
ELSE IS ALLOWED. THIS WAS A FASTING RULE TO HONOR
ST. LUCY.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT WAS ALWAYS GIVEN THIS ON ST. LUCY'S
DAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; LANSING-REILLY
Date learned: 10-06-1970
MOST ORTHODOX HOMES ARE BLESSED ON CHRISTMAS
(JULIAN CALENDER). THIS IS DONE TO BLESS THE
INHABITANTS AND TO INSURE HEALTH AND HAPPINESS.
HOMES ARE ALSO BLESSED ON EASTER TO CELEBRATE THE
RESURRECTION OF CHRIST.
Submitter comment:
OUR HOME IS STILL BLESSED ON EACH MAJOR HOLIDAY
ACCORDING TO THE JULIAN CALENDER ALTHOUGH THE
CUSTOM IS NOT AS POPULAR AS IT ONCE WAS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 11-15-1971
THE BOSS OF THE PLANT BELIEVES THAT THERE WILL BE A GOOD
WORK YEAR IF EVERYONE WORKS ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE NEW
YEAR, SO EVERYONE MUST COME IN TO WORK.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM HER HUSBAND.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Typical Elements of a Festive Pattern BELIEF -- Measure of time Year |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
IN GERMANY THEY CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR'S WITH
A HUGE DISPLAY OF FIREWORKS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.
Submitter comment: HE ACTUALLY OBSERVED THIS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Typical Elements of a Festive Pattern |
Date learned: 09-28-1970
ON THE SECOND OF FEBRUARY, THE YOUNG PEOPLE OF COUNTY
KERRY, IRELAND ANNUALLY HELD A DANCE CALLED THE "BIDDIE
BALL," IN HONOR OF ST. BRIDGET. IN ORDER TO RAISE MONEY
FOR THE DANCE, THE YOUNG PEOPLE WOULD GO AROUND FROM DOOR
TO DOOR COLLECTING FUNDS. THEY CARRIED A LIFE SIZE
STATUE OF ST. BRIDGET, WHICH WAS ALL DRESSED IN PLAITED
STRAW. THE YOUNG MEN OF THE GROUP WOULD DRESS IN STRAW
SUITS AND THE YOUNG WOMEN IN STRAW SKIRTS AND HATS. THEY
WOULD BURST INTO EACH HOME WITH STRAW DRESS AND PAINTED
FACES. THEY WOULD THEN DANCE AROUND THE ROOM TO THE TUNE
OF AN ACCORDIAN. THEY WOULD DANCE UNTIL THE FAMILY
MADE A DONATION AND THEN THIS MONEY WOULD BE USED AT THE
"BIDDIE BALL" LATER ON THAT NIGHT. THE COLLECTING OF
THE MONEY ALWAYS TOOK PLACE AT NIGHT, JUST BEFORE THE DANCE.
Submitter comment:
MR. SULLIVAN FIRST HEARD OF THIS CUSTOM FORTY YEARS AGO
IN COUNTY KERRY, IRELAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; IRELAND ; COUNTY KERRY
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Festival C436.0202 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- February 2 Candlemas Groundhog Day CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Typical Elements of a Festive Pattern |
Date learned: 12-29-1963 ; 00-00-1923
INDIAN RELIGION
IN ORDER TO APPEASE THE RAIN AND HARVEST DIETIES,
OFFERINGS SUCH AS BUTTER, ETC. ARE BURNED AT AN
ALTAR WHILE HYMNS ARE CHANTED BEFORE THE PLANTING OF
CROPS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F476 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Typical Elements of a Festive Pattern CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting BELIEF -- Plant husbandry Farming |
Date learned: 02-29-1968