Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for F642 returned 214 results.
I WAS TAUGHT IN GRADE SCHOOL THAT ANYONE BORN BETWEEN DECEMBER 21
AND DECEMBER 26 WOULD BE ABLE TO HAVE COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE
SPIRITS.
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): SPIRITS
Date learned: 11-11-1969
LOVE CHARM
IF A PAIR OF LOVERS PLUCK A LAUREL TWIG
AND BREAK IT IN HALF, EACH KEEPING A PIECE
THEY WILL REMAIN LOVERS. ON ST. VALENTINES DAY,
PLACE TWO LEAVES ON YOUR PILLOW AND YOU
WILL DREAM OF LOVE.
Submitter comment:
I REMEMBER SOME OF THE GIRLS TALKING LIKE
THIS AT SCHOOL ONE DAY.
Where learned: BROUGHT UP SOMETIME AT SCHOOL.
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- February 14 Valentine's Day CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
A FISHERMAN'S PRAYER
EVERY YEAR ON CHRISTMAS DAY, THE OLD SAILORS TAKE THE NEW
SAILORS AND TEACH THEM THE PRAYER THAT WILL CUT THE
HURRICANE OR TORNADO IN TWO.
Submitter comment:
MY MOTHER RECALLED HEARING THIS STORY IN SICILY
WHEN SHE WAS A LITTLE GIRL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 BELIEF -- Prayer |
STAR BELIEF
ON CHRISTMAS EVE THE BRIGHT STAR TO THE NORTH IS SHINING OVER
THE STABLE AT BETHLEHEM.
Data entry tech comment:
ACCORDING TO CHRISTIAN TRADITION,
BETHLEHEM IS THE PLACE OF CHRIST'S BIRTH.
Informant and collector are the same person.
Where learned: OHIO ; NORTH OLMSTED ; 5984 COLUMBIA RD.
Keyword(s): BELIEF
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F122 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.4 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 BELIEF -- Star |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION
AT CHRISTMAS TIME A FRESH EVERGREEN WAS CUT AND SMALL CANDLES WERE
PLACED AT VARIOUS PLACES ON THE TREE. THE TABLE WAS SET WITH A LARGE
PLATE FOR EACH ONE AND THE PERSON'S NAME ON EACH PLATE. THEN THE
MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY WOULD CONGREGATE IN THE KITCHEN TO SAY THEIR
EVENING PRAYERS WHILE FATHER, PRESUMED TO BE STILL WORKING, WOULD
DISTRIBUTE THE GIFTS IN THE DINING ROOM ONTO THE PLATES, WITH THE
TREE ALL LIT UP IN THE CENTER. WHEN THE JOB WAS DONE, HE WOULD RING
A BELL AND THEN LEAVE TO COME BACK INTO THE HOUSE THROUGH THE KITCHEN
DOOR AS IF HE HAD JUST FINISHED HIS CHORES.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; PEORIA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 |
Date learned: 11-01-1971
DURING NEW YEAR CELEBRATION, YOU PUT TWO
GOOD LUCK SAYINGS ON EITHER SIDE OF THE
DOOR. BOTH SAYINGS MUST BE SYMMETRICAL (5 WORDS EACH
FOR EXAMPLE) AND COMPOSED BY YOU.
Data entry tech comment:
PROBABLY A CHINESE CUSTOM
Where learned: Informant's office
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting |
Date learned: 11-11-1971
DURING NEW YEAR'S FESTIVITIES YOU GO TO ALL
RELATIVES FOR VISITS AND EXCHANGE GIFTS.
Where learned: Informant's office
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Winter |
Date learned: 11-11-1971
DURING LUNAR NEW YEAR, YOU PARTAKE IN
ANCESTOR WORSHIP. INCENSE AND FIRE CRACKERS ARE
DONE IN FRONT OF TABLET REPRESENTING ANCESTORS.
DELICIOUS FOOD IS ALSO PLACED IN FRONT OF THE TABLET.
Where learned: Informant's office
Keyword(s): NOISE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Typical Elements of a Festive Pattern CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Winter |
Date learned: 11-11-1971
NEW YEAR'S CUSTOMS AND CELEBRATIONS
SEVERAL DAYS BEFORE THE NEW YEAR THE CHINESE WILL
PREPARE A PASTRY. THIS IS PREPARED BY THE METHOD OF
STEMMING. IF CHILDREN ASK IF THE PASTRY IS DONE
BEFORE IT IS FULLY COOKED, THE PEOPLE BELIEVE
THAT THE PASTRY WILL NEVER BE FULLY COOKED.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LEARNED THIS IN TAIWAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; 4001 W MCNICHOLS ; LANGUAGE DEPARTMENT
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM ; SPEECH TABU ; STEAMING FOOD
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Winter Food Drink -- Pastry Sweet Dessert |
Date learned: 02-02-1971
BLESSED CANDLE
IN IRELAND, AT CHRISTMAS, EVERYONE GETS A LARGE CANDLE, ABOUT
3 FEET HIGH, AND LIGHTS IT ON CHRISTMAS EVE AND LETS IT BURN ALL
NIGHT. THEN IT IS LIT AGAIN ON NEW YEARS' EVE AND AGAIN IT BURNS
ALL NIGHT. IF THERE IS ANY CANDLE LEFT ON NEW YEARS MORNING THEN
YOU HAVE A BLESSED CANDLE. IN AMERICA THEY USE SMALLER CANDLES
AND DON'T LEAVE THEM BURN ALL NIGHT.
Submitter comment:
PRACTICED IN IRELAND, 1915
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 01-10-1964
New Year's Custom
POLISH--DURING THE EARLY HOURS OF NEW YEAR THE GIRLS AND BOYS GO TO
DIFFERENT HOMES WAKING PEOPLE BY THROWING OATS AND WHEAT AND
SAYING:
NA SZCZESCIE--FOR GOOD LUCK
NA ZDROWIE--FOR GOOD HEALTH
NA NOWY ROK--FOR NEW YEAR
Submitter comment:
LEARNED IN POLAND.
Where learned: STORE
Date learned: 11-10-1967
SUPERSTITION
MEETING A MAN (RATHER THAN A WOMAN) IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE BEGINNING
OF A NEW YEAR, WILL INSURE GOOD LUCK FOR THE REMAINDER OF THAT YEAR.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share same surname and place of residence.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
Date learned: 10-25-1969
NEW YEAR'S
IN EUROPE DURING THE NEW YEAR'S HOLIDAY, CARDS WERE SENT BY
PEOPLE TO THEIR RELATIVES AND FRIENDS IN MUCH THE SAME WAY AS
WE DO HERE FOR CHRISTMAS. ONCE A PERSON REACHED HIS LATE TEENS,
HE WOULD HAVE NAME CARDS PRINTED (COMPARABLE TO OUR BUSINESS
CARDS) AND WOULD SEND THEM TO RELATIVES. OFTEN, UNSIGNED OR
"MYSTERIOUS" CARDS WOULD BE SENT BETWEEN LOVERS, SECRET ADMIRERS,
ETC., AND THE RECEIVER WOULD HAVE TO GUESS WHO HAD SENT THE CARD.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share the same surname and place of residence.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH ; informant's residence
Keyword(s): ANONYMOUS ; CARDS ; GIFTGIVING
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 |
Date learned: 11-01-1970
NEW YEAR'S DAY
IF YOU EAT CHICKEN ON NEW YEAR'S YOU WILL SCRATCH YOUR WAY THROUGH
THE YEAR. IF YOU EAT PORK YOU WILL BE PIGGY AND GRAB EVERYTHING.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT BELIEVES THIS AND CHICKEN IS NEVER SERVED ON NEW
YEAR'S IN HER HOUSE.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share the same surname and place of residence.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS ; informant's home
Date learned: 01-23-1971
NEW YEAR'S EVE
IF A STRANGER ENTERS YOUR HOUSE THROUGH THE
BACK DOOR ON NEW YEAR'S EVE YOU'LL HAVE BAD LUCK ALL YEAR.
Submitter comment:
NOT BELIEVED
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share the same surname.
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): DIRECTION ; FIRST FOOTING ; LOCATION ; POSITION
Date learned: 00-00-1968
NEW YEAR WISH
I WISH YOU MUCH LUCK IN THE NEW YEAR,
AND THAT OUR DEAR LORD WILL SPARE YOU
IN THE LAND FOR MANY YEARS
AT NEW YEAR TIME, CHILDREN WERE GIVEN THIS WISH IN DUTCH. THEN EACH CHILD RECEIVED $1.
Submitter comment:
THIS LITTLE WISH WAS GIVEN TO THE GREAT GRANDPARENTS
OF THE INFORMANT BY HER MOTHER AND HER
AUNTS AND UNCLES AT THE NEW YEAR TIME.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share the same surname.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): GIFTGIVING
Date learned: 09-00-1969
NEW YEAR'S IN JAPAN
ON JANUARY 1ST AT THE STROKE OF 12 MIDNIGHT
ALL THE TEMPLES ALL OVER THE COUNTRY BEGIN TO
STRIKE THEIR BELLS. THE BELLS ARE RUNG 108 TIMES TO
PRAY FOR EVERLASTING PEACE. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE
NUMBER 108 HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE BUDDAH RELIGION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIBRARY ; DETROIT ; THE UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): NOISE
Date learned: 11-11-1969
NEW YEAR'S
A WEEK BEFORE NEW YEAR'S IN SCHOOL THE CHILDREN WROTE A NEW YEAR'S
LETTER TO THEIR PARENTS AND THEIR GRANDPARENTS. THEN ON NEW YEAR'S
DAY THE GRANDFATHER WOULD READ OFF THE LETTERS AND THEN EACH CHILD
WOULD GET SOME MONEY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT INFORMANTS HOME
Keyword(s): GIFTGIVING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Fixed DateFor specific dates, use the following system: F640.0101 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 |
Date learned: 10-20-1971
CUSTOM: JAPAN NEW YEAR'S
"OMOCHI" (RICE DOUGH) POUNDING IS STILL AN INTEGRAL PART OF NEW
YEAR'S CELEBRATION. IT IS THE MAKING OF THE OLDEST FOOD OF JAPAN
AND IN THE COUNTRY THE POUNDING IS DONE BY THE FEET OF SERVANTS
WHO SING THE FOLLOWING TRADITIONAL SONG AS THEY WORK:
"THE MOUSE IN THE HOUSE OF PLENTY"
WE ARE THE MESSENGERS OF THE GOOD-LUCK GOD,
THE MERRY MESSENGERS.
WE'RE A HUNDRED YEARS OLD, YET NEVER HAVE HEARD
THE FEARFUL CRY OF CAT;
FOR WE'RE THE MESSENGERS OF THE GOOD-LUCK GOD,
THE MERRY MESSENGERS.
Submitter comment:
WHEN IN JAPAN, INFORMANT USED TO WATCH "OMOCHI" POUNDING AT HER
FATHER'S ANCESTRAL HOME.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share the same surname.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Date learned: 08-01-1964
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