Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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NEW YEAR'S CUSTOM (EUROPEAN)
IN ORDER TO ENSURE ONESELF FOR A GOOD YEAR, IT IS COMMON CUSTOM
IN EUROPE FOR THE HEAD OF A FAMILY TO APPOINT AN OUTSIDER (CLOSE
FRIEND) TO BE THE FIRST ONE TO PUT HIS FOOT IN THE HOUSE. IF
SOMEONE UN-APPOINTED CAME INTO THE HOUSE, THE NEW YEAR WOULD NOT
BE A GOOD ONE.
Where learned: MAILED FROM ENGLAND
Keyword(s): FIRST FOOTING
| 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: 03-25-1968
Food - Fixed Date
EAT ANYTHING THAT ROOTS (DIGS THEIR WAY INTO THE GROUND) LIKE
PIGS, ON NEW YEAR'S EVE, OR AS THE FIRST MEAL OF THE NEW YEAR.
NEVER EAT ANYTHING THAT SWIMS OR FLIES OR YOUR MONEY WILL DO THE
SAME. EAT NO FOWL OF ANY KIND.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant is grandmother of collector.
Where learned: informant's home
Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC
Date learned: 11-10-1970
NEW YEAR'S CUSTOMS AND CELEBRATIONS
SWEEP SILVER DOLLARS OVER DOOR SILLS FROM OUTSIDE INTO HOUSE FOR
WEALTH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES ; informant's home
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 |
Date learned: 02-17-1970
WELSH SUPERSTITION
THE WELSH BELIEVE THAT THE FIRST PERSON TO COME INTO THE HOUSE
RIGHT AFTER MIDNIGHT ON NEW YEAR'S EVE TELLS OR PREDICTS THE LUCK
THE HOUSEHOLD WILL HAVE. IF A MAN COMES IN, THE HOUSE WILL HAVE
GOOD LUCK. A WOMAN MEANS BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
THE REASON HE KNOWS OF THIS CUSTOM IS BECAUSE A LADY ASKS HIM TO
WALK INTO HER HOUSE EVERY YEAR AT MIDNIGHT SO THAT SHE WILL HAVE
GOOD LUCK.
Keyword(s): ANTIFEMINISM ; SEXISM
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 DAY
ON NEW YEAR'S EAT GOURMET FOOD.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT'S FAMILY ALWAYS EATS FRENCH FOODS ON NEW YEAR'S BECAUSE
THEY FEEL THAT IF THEY EAT WELL ON NEW YEAR'S THEN THEY WILL EAT
WELL ALL THROUGH THE YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS ; informant's home
Keyword(s): BLASON POPULAIRE ; FOOD PREDICTION ; FRENCH FOOD
Date learned: 03-05-1971
SCOTTISH-IRISH CUSTOM
THEY CALL THIS FIRST-FOOTING. IT IS A SCOTTISH CUSTOM ALSO FOUND
IN SCOTTISH INFLUENCE AREAS OF IRELAND.
YOUR HOME AND YOU WILL HAVE GOOD LUCK IF YOUR FIRST VISTOR IN THE
NEW YEAR IS A DARK HAIRED MAN, ESPECIALLY IF HE BRINGS YOU A PIECE
OF COAL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
Keyword(s): COAL ; GIFTGIVING
Date learned: 02-04-1968
NEW YEAR'S CUSTOM
WASHING WITH A PIECE OF SILVER
SO THE NEW YEAR WILL BE PROSPEROUS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; informant's home
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; CONTAGIOUS MAGIC ; HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC
Date learned: 10-22-1968
NEW YEAR'S CUSTOM
IF YOU ARE THE FIRST PERSON TO ENTER
A FRIEND'S HOME, YOU MUST GIVE THEM A GIFT.
Submitter comment:
LEARNED FROM GRANDMOTHER
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): GIFTGIVING
Date learned: 12-06-1967
NEW YEAR'S CUSTOM
IF YOU LAY A BROOM ACROSS THE DOOR-WAY,
THE FIRST PERSON TO PICK IT UP AND GIVE IT
TO YOU WILL BE AN ENEMY OF YOURS THAT YEAR.
Submitter comment:
LEARNED FROM GRANDMOTHER
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FIRST FOOTING
Date learned: 12-06-1967
SURVAKNIZA NEW YEAR
AROUND THE NEW YEAR IN BULGARIA, THE CHILDREN PEEL OFF THE OUTSIDE
BARK OF A PARTICULAR KIND OF TREE BRANCH SO THAT THE BRANCHES
BRANCH OUTWARD IN A CONICAL EFFECT. THESE SHAPED BRANCHES ARE
THEN DECORATED WITH BITS OF CLOTH AND ORNAMENTS. THE EFFECT IS
MUCH LIKE A SMALL CHRISTMAS TREE. ON NEW YEAR'S DAY THE CHILDREN OF
THE AREA PAT PEOPLE ON THE BACK WITH THESE BRANCHES, WISHING THEM
PROSPERITY AND GOOD HEALTH FOR THE COMING YEAR. HOMES ARE BLESSED,
ALSO LIVE STOCK AND ANIMALS WITH A TOUCH OF THE TREE BRANCH.
IN RETURN FOR THIS THE CHILDREN ARE GIVEN SMALL PRESENTS, TOYS
AND CANDIES BY THE RECIPIENTS.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT REMEMBERS WITH DELIGHT PARTICIPATING IN THIS CUSTOM
AS A YOUNG BOY. HE CONSIDERS THIS TO BE A VERY NICE CUSTOM,
WITH A GOOD PURPOSE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HENDRICKSONS PHARMACY ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): GIFTGIVING ; PROSPERITY ; RITUAL WHIPPING
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 03-21-1970
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
NEW YEAR'S CUSTOM
THE IRISH AT NEW YEAR'S ALWAYS HAVE PORK FOR DINNER AND
LEAVE MONEY ON THE OUTSIDE OF A WINDOW AND TAKE IT ON
NEW YEAR'S DAY. SIGNIFICANCE IS THEY NEVER WILL BE BROKE
FOR THE YEAR.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
Keyword(s): GIFTGIVING
Date learned: 04-01-1972
NEW YEAR CUSTOM
THERE IS A GREEK TRADITION WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO BRING
GOOD LUCK. THERE IS A PASTRY CALLED PETA WHICH IS BAKED
IN A SQUARE PAN. BEFORE IT IS BAKED THE COOK PUTS
MONEY RANGING FROM A NICKEL TO FIFTY CENTS. IT USED TO BE
A FIFTY CENT PIECE BUT NOW THAT MONEY IS PRECIOUS IT'S GETTING
SMALLER AND SMALLER. ANYWAYS, THEY PUT THIS COIN IN THE DOUGH
AND BAKE IT. THE PERSON WHO GETS THE PIECE WITH THE COIN
WILL HAVE GOOD LUCK THAT WHOLE YEAR. THE CEREMONY HAPPENS ON
NEW YEAR'S DAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): DOUGH CALLED "FILO" ; GIFTGIVING ; GREEK CHEESE IS CALLED "FETA"
Date learned: 02-23-1972
CUSTOM
IN JAPAN, THE PEOPLE EXCHANGE NEW YEAR'S
CARDS WITH FRIENDS AND RELATIVES.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; UNION
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: 11-25-1969
CUSTOM-FIRST FOOTING
THE FIRST PERSON TO STEP FOOT IN YOUR HOUSE AFTER THE NEW YEAR
CANNOT DO SO EMPTY-HANDED. IF THEY DO IT MEANS THAT YOU AND YOUR
FAMILY WILL HAVE A LEAN YEAR. IF THEY BRING A GIFT, THEN YOU AND
YOUR FAMILY WILL HAVE A FAT YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC ; SYMBOLIC ACTION
Date learned: 09-26-1965
