Dr. James T. Callow publications
Browse by
Questions or comments on this site? Please email davidsor@udmercy.edu.
The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for P574.2 returned 207 results.
POLISH CHRISTMAS TRADITION
PRIOR TO SETTING THE CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER TABLE, ONE STRAND OF HAY
FOR EVERY PERSON SHARING THE MEAL IS PLACED IN THE CENTER OF THE
TABLE UNDER THE TABLE CLOTH. THE STRANDS ARE OF VARYING LENGTHS.
AFTER DINNER, EVERYONE MAKES A WISH AND PULLS A STRAND OF HAY
OUT FROM UNDERNEATH THE TABLECLOTH. THE INDIVIDUAL WHO PULLS OUT
THE LONGEST STRAND OF HAY WILL OBTAIN HIS WISH BEFORE THE END OF
THE NEW YEAR.
Submitter comment:
THOUGH THE WISHES AREN'T GUARANTEED, CHILDREN AS WELL AS SOME
ADULTS EXPECT THEM TO COME TRUE.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve BELIEF -- Measure of time Year BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: CA00001890S ; 01-13-1980
NEW YEAR'S SUPERSTITION
GREEK NEW YEAR'S BREAD HAS A COIN IN IT AND WHOMEVER GETS IT WILL
HAVE GOOD LUCK THROUGHOUT THE COMING YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GARDEN CITY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's BELIEF -- Measure of time Year BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: CA0001970
ON NEW YEAR'S EVE AT THE STROKE OF MIDNIGHT, WE THROW WATER OUT THE
WINDOWS BY THE BUCKETS TO SEND AWAY ALL BAD THINGS THAT CAME DURING
THE YEAR
Submitter comment: THEY DO THIS IN SAN JUAN.
Where learned: PUERTO RICO ; SAN JUAN
James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC ; PURIFICATION OF THE YEAR.
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F123 BELIEF -- Measure of time Year |
Date learned: CA00001950
IF A MALE IS THE FIRST VISITOR AFTER TWELVE MIDNIGHT, NEW YEARS DAY,
IT MEANS GOOD LUCK WILL BE WITH YOU FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR. IF THE
FIRST VISITOR IS A FEMALE, IT MEANS YOU WILL HAVE BAD LUCK FOR THE
REST OF THE YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BERKELEY
Date learned: 00-00-1950
PREDICTION
IF YOU EAT PEAS ON NEW YEAR'S EVE, THEN YOU WILL HAVE TEARS
THROUGHOUT THE NEW YEAR.
Submitter comment: PERHAPS, THE SUGGESTION IS THAT PEAS RESEMBLE TEARS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve Food Drink -- Plant food Vegetable BELIEF -- Measure of time Year BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.42 |
Date learned: CA00001930
GOOD FRIDAY CUSTOM
ON GOOD FRIDAY, AS PART OF THE CHURCH SERVICES, A TOMB
OF CHRIST IS PLACED IN FRONT OF THE ALTER, CALLED
THE "EPITAPHIO."
Submitter comment:
THE TOMB IS ELEVATED ON A STAND. AT THE END OF
THE CHURCH SERVICES, CHILDREN PROCEED TO CRAWL UNDER
THE TOMB. THIS WILL BRING THOSE CHILDREN GOOD LUCK
FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR.
THIS IS A GREEK-AMERICAN CUSTOM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 663 Good Friday CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Measure of time Year BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 04-00-1970
GOOD LUCK IN RESTAURANTS
ON NEW YEAR'S DAY, A NEW ONE DOLLAR BILL IS PLACED
ON THE WALL OF THE RESTAURANT. IT REMAINS ON THE
WALL UNTIL THE NEXT YEAR, WHEN A NEW ONE DOLLAR
BILL IS PUT UP.
Submitter comment:
BY DOING THIS, THE RESTAURANT WILL HAVE GOOD LUCK
ALL YEAR, AS WELL AS GOOD BUSINESS. GOOD FOOD AND
GOOD SERVICE WILL PREVAIL ALL YEAR ROUND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT
NEW YEAR'S DAY CUSTOM
FOR THE CELEBRATION OF THE NEW YEAR, GREEK WOMEN
BAKE A RING OF BREAD CALLED VASILOPITA. THEY PUT
A COIN IN THE BREAD BEFORE IT IS TO BE BAKED.
ON NEW YEAR'S DAY, WHEN THE BREAD IS CUT AND DISTRIBUTED,
THE PERSON WHO HAS THE COIN IN HIS PIECE OF BREAD
WILL HAVE GOOD LUCK ALL YEAR LONG.
Submitter comment:
FINDING THE COIN IS TRULY A BELIEF OF GOOD LUCK.
IT HAS BEEN A GOOD LUCK SYMBOL IN THE GREEK HOME
FOR MANY YEARS.
THIS IS A GREEK-AMERICAN CUSTOM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: CA00001968
CHRISTMAS EVE SUPERSTITION
CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER WAS A SEVEN, NINE, OR ELEVEN COURSE MEAL. IN
NO CASE MUST THERE BE AN ODD NUMBER OF PEOPLE AT THE TABLE. OTHER-
WISE, SOME OF THE FEASTERS WOULD NOT LIVE TO SEE ANOTHER CHRISTMAS.
Submitter comment:
MY GRANDMOTHER WASN'T A VERY FOND BELIEVER OF SUPERSTITIONS, BUT
SHE SAW TO IT THAT AN EVEN NUMBER OF GUESTS WERE PRESENT.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO
Date learned: 00-00-1940
IF YOU COOK WHOLE LEAF GREENS ON NEW YEAR'S DAY YOU WILL GET A LOT
OF MONEY IN THE NEW YEAR
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
GEORGIA CHRISTMAS TREE CUSTOM
"WE'D ALWAYS HAVE OUR CHRISTMAS TREE UP BY CHRISTMAS EVE,
BECAUSE IT MEANT GOOD LUCK FOR THE HOLIDAYS AND THE NEW YEAR."
Where learned: OHIO ; FLORIDA ; ALLIANCE ; EUSTIS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas tree BELIEF -- Measure of time Year BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 11-13-1980 ; 00001920S
GEORGIA NEW YEAR'S EVE CUSTOM
"WHENEVER YOU'D GET A KNIFE AS A GIFT ON NEW YEAR'S EVE,
YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO GIVE THE PERSON A COIN IN RETURN
SO THAT YOUR FRIENDSHIP WOULDN'T BE CUT IN TWO DURING THE NEXT YEAR"
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT STATED THAT A VARIATION OF THIS CUSTOM WAS PRACTICED
BY BRANCHES OF HER FAMILY IN WHICH THE CUSTOM WAS EXTENDED
TO INCLUDE OTHER HOLIDAYS AND BIRTHDAYS.
Where learned: OHIO ; FLORIDA ; ALLIANCE ; EUSTIS
Date learned: 11-13-1980 ; 00001920S
GEORGIA WEDDING SUPERSTITION
"YOU SHOULD NEVER SAY THE NAME OF AN OLD BOYFRIEND
ON YOUR WEDDING DAY, BECAUSE IT WOULD BRING BAD LUCK
TO THE FIRST YEAR OF YOUR MARRIAGE".
Where learned: OHIO ; FLORIDA ; ALLIANCE ; EUSTIS
| Subject headings: | Person / Nickname 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage BELIEF -- Measure of time Year BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 11-13-1980 ; 00001920S
ALABAMA SUPERSTITION
"THE ONLY WAY TO CATCH A BIRD WAS TO PUT SALT ON ITS TAIL,
AND IF YOU CAUGHT A BIRD, IT WOULD BRING YOU GOOD LUCK FOR A YEAR".
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS ITEM AS A CHILD IN BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA
FROM HIS MOTHER, CIRCA 1928. SHE LEARNED IT FROM HER MOTHER
IN ALABAMA CIRCA 1900.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALABAMA ; DETROIT ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Measure of time Year BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 11-22-1980 ; 00-00-1928 ; 00-00-1900
GREEK FUNERAL SERVICE
A SPECIAL MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR DEPARTED SOULS IS CALLED MNEMOSIMON.
AFTER THE MASS IS READ, A DISH OF BOILED SWEETENED KERNELS AND FRUITS
CALLED KOLLIVA, IS DISTRIBUTED IN REMEMBRANCE OF THE DEAD. THE
KOLLIVA IS BLESSED BY THE PRIEST AND THEN EATEN AT THE CHURCH BY
FRIENDS AND RELATIVES. THE BOILED WHEAT GERM SYMBOLIZES RESURREC-
TION AND IS TRADITIONALLY OFFERED FORTY DAYS AFTER DEATH AND ONE
YEAR AFTER DEATH.
IT IS NOT SERVED AT ANY OTHER TIME.
Submitter comment:
THE GREEK MEMORIAL SERVICE IS DIFFERENT THAN OURS, EXCEPT FOR THE
MEAL AFTERWARDS. THEIR MEAL CONSISTS OF DIFFERENT FOOD THAN OURS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): RESURRECTION SYMBOL
Date learned: 00-00-1980
NEW YEAR'S DREAMS
IN POLAND, IT IS A BELIEF THAT IF YOU DREAM ABOUT MARRYING A
PERSON THREE DAYS IN A ROW; ON NEW YEAR'S EVE, NEW YEAR'S DAY,
AND THE DAY AFTER, YOU WILL MARRY THAT PERSON BEFORE THE NEXT
YEAR COMES.
Submitter comment:
THERE IS ONE POINT TO BE MENTIONED IN REGARDS TO NEW YEAR'S EVE.
IT IS BELIEVED THAT SPIRITS ARE RESTLESS ON NEW YEAR'S EVE AND
THEY WANDER IN AND OUT OF HOUSES. THEREFORE, ON THAT DAY,
POLES ARE CAREFUL NOT TO WAVE SHARP OBJECTS IN THE AIR SUCH AS;
KNIVES, SCISSORS, AND PENCILS, SO AS NOT TO INJURE A SPIRIT AND
GIVE HIM CAUSE TO BE ANGRY WITH THEIR HOUSEHOLD. ALSO, THE POLES
WOULD LEAVE PLATES OF FOOD NEXT TO EMPTY CHAIRS IN CERTAIN PARTS OF
THE HOUSE. IF THEY WOULD DO THESE THINGS, THEY THOUGHT THE SPIRITS
WOULD THEN FEEL FREE TO BLESS THEIR HOUSEHOLD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
Date learned: 00-00-1978
NEW YEAR'S CRYING
IT IS A POLISH BELIEF THAT IF YOU CRY ON NEW YEAR'S DAY YOU WILL
CRY EVERYDAY FOR THE NEXT YEAR.
Submitter comment:
NOTE THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE FIRST DAY OF THE YEAR SETTING A
PATTERN FOR THE WHOLE YEAR. THE SAME HOLDS TRUE FOR MANY POLISH
NEW YEAR'S BELIEFS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Measure of time Year |
Date learned: 00-00-1971
MACEDONIAN GREEK ORTHODOX FUNERAL
THE FUNERAL CEREMONY OF THE GREEK ORTHODOX IS MUCH LIKE ANY
OTHER RELIGION ITSELF, BUT MANY SYMBOLS ARE USED. THE PALLBEARERS
MUST WEAR WHITE GLOVES SO THEY DO NOT
STAIN THE SOUL OF THE DEAD PERSON
WHEN THE PROCESSION GETS TO THE CEMETERY EVERYONE IS GIVEN A CANDLE,
THE SYMBOL OF ETERNAL LIFE. THE PALLBEARERS ARE GIVEN THREE
REMEMBRANCES OF THE DECEASED LIKE A PAIR
OF SOCKS, A PITCHER, AND A TOWEL
ALSO AT THE CEMETERY THEY EAT BREAD AND
DRINK WINE. THE BROTHERS OF THE
DECEASED CAN NOT SHAVE FOR SIX WEEKS AFTER
THE DEATH BECAUSE THE SHAVINGS
WILL FALL IN THE EYES OF THE DEAD PERSON
AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SEE
THE GATES OF HEAVEN.
THE PALLBEARERS AND FAMILY MUST MEET AT THE
CEMETARY THREE, SIX, NINE, AND
TWELVE MONTHS AFTER THE DEATH OF THE PERSON.
AND THEN EACH YEAR AFTER
AS LONG AS THE MOTHER WANTS. AT EACH
MEETING THE PALLBEARERS ARE AGAIN GIVEN
SOME ARTICLES IN REMEMBRANCE AND BREAD AND WINE IS HAD. ALSO
EACH PERSON IS GIVEN A CANDLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MADISON HEIGHTS
Date learned: 00-00-1979
IF YOU COUNT THE NUMBER OF CARS IN A FUNERAL PROCESSION YOU WILL HAVE
THAT MANY YEARS TO LIVE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Measure of time Year BELIEF -- Number |
Date learned: CA00001975
GERMAN NEW YEARS EVE CUSTOM
IN OUER FAMILY IT IS CUSTOMARY TI INCLUDE SAURKRAUT IN THE NEW YEAR'S
EVE MEAL. EATING THIS VEGETABLE WILL MAKE ONE WEALTHY THE WHOLE
NEXT YEAR.
Submitter comment:
MY GRANDMOTHER ALWAYS THOUGHT THE NEW YEARS EVE MEAL SHOULD INCLUDE
SAUERKRAUT. SHE LEARNED THIS CUSTOM FROM HER PARENTS WNEN SHE WAS 4.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; JOHNSTOWN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals BELIEF -- Measure of time Year |
Date learned: 00-00-1962 ; 00-00-1905