Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for P600 returned 371 results.
IN ORDER TO HARM, SOME PEOPLE CHANGE THEIR PHYSICAL APPEARANCE.
MOST OF THE TIME THEY BECOME DOGS AND THEY ATTACK THEIR ENEMIES.
Submitter comment:
ABOUT 15 YEARS AGO, WHEN TWO PERSONS USED TO HAVE AN ARGUMENT,
MOST OF THE TIME ONE OF THEM WOULD SAY TO THE OTHER: "I WILL
GET YOU, BUT IT WON'T BE ME, IT WILL BE SOMETHING ELSE." THIS
"SOMETHING ELSE" WOULD BE THE DOG.
Where learned: GUADELOUPE
James Callow Keyword(s): TRANSFORMATION SHAPE-SHIFTING
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color |
Date learned: 00-00-1966
VOODOO PEOPLE IN CRIPPLE CREEK WILL TURN YOU GREEN AND MAKE YOU
HOP LIKE A FROG.
Where learned: NORTH CAROLINA ; CRIPPLE CREEK
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color |
VOODOO PEOPLE CAN MAKE YOU DO THINGS YOU DON'T WANT TO DO.
Where learned: Arkansas ; PINE BLUFF
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color |
Date learned: 01161984CA
IF YOU BURY TWO FISH HEADS IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS AND
PUT YOUR NAME ON ONE AND HIS NAME ON THE OTHER FISH HEAD
YOU WILL FIGHT ALL THE TIME.
Where learned: LOUISIANA
Date learned: 01161984CA
IF SOMEONE TAKES SOME OF YOUR HAIR, WRAP IT AROUND A DIME,AND
PUT IT IN A LOFT, YOU WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO LEAVE THAT PERSON.
Where learned: MISSISSIPPI
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color |
A PERSON CAN PUT YOUR HAIR AND A PIECE OF YOUR UNDERCLOTH
IN A JAR,BLOW SMOKE ON IT COVER IT PUT IT UNDER YOUR PORCH,
AND EVERYTIME YOU TRY TO GO IN YOUR HOUSE YOU WILL GET SICK.
Where learned: LOUISIANA
Date learned: 01111984CA
IF SOMEONE SENDS YOU A THREATENING LETTER, WHAT YOU DO IS BURN THE
LETTER AT THREE CORNERS AND SEND IT BACK TO THE ENEMY.
Where learned: ALABAMA
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color |
Date learned: 01111984CA
MRS.MERRIWEATHER
CUT OFF ALL OF THE LIGHTS IN THE HOUSE AND STAND IN FRONT OF A
MIRROR AND SAY 15 TIMES, WHILE TURNING AROUND IN A 360 DEGREE
CIRCLE, MRS. MERRIWEATHER, MRS. MERRIWEATHER; AND HER BLOODY
FACE WILL APPEAR BEFORE YOU.
Submitter comment: NO ONE HAS REACHED 15 TIMES, ALL WERE AFRAID OF IT.
Where learned: DETROIT ; NORWEST THEATER
James Callow Keyword(s): CONJURATION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Circle and other round forms BELIEF -- P689 P689.1 SPEECH -- FamilyGroup |
Date learned: 01-30-1984
THE SIGNATURE FROM THE DEAD
HELEN'S GIRLFRIEND'S MOTHER WAS MARRIED AND HAD HER AND A SON.
SHE AND HER HUSBAND WERE SEPARATED AND HE MOVED TO PITTSBURGH.
HE DIED AND SHE APPLIED FOR SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS FOR HER
FAMILY. THE SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICIALS REQUESTED A SIGNATURE ON A
DOCUMENT OF THE DECEASED, TO PROVE THAT HE HAD FATHERED HER KIDS.
SHE BEING A TRUE BELIEVER IN BLACK MAGIC, DECIDED TO RETRIEVE HIS
SIGNATURE FROM THE DEAD. SO SHE AND THREE OF HER FRIENDS WENT
TO PITTSBURGH AND THEN WENT TO HIS GRAVE THAT NIGHT. THEY EACH SAT
ON A CORNER OF HIS GRAVE AND HAD A SEANCE. HE SPOKE THROUGH HIS
WIDOW AND ASK WHY DID THEY COME? THEY REQUESTED HIS SIGNATURE ON
THE DOCUMENT AND THEY PLACED THE DOCUMENT ON THE GRAVE AND THE
SIGNATURE APPEARED.
Where learned: DETROIT ; NORWEST THEATER
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color |
Date learned: 01-30-1984
THE RED DOT
ONCE WHILE HER BROTHERS WERE LYING IN BED THERE APPEAR A RED GLOBE
FLOATING AROUND THE ROOM. THE BOYS COULD NOT SCREAM OR HOLLER, NO
ONE COULD HEAR THEM. THEY STRUCK THEIR HEADS UNDER THE COVER AND
THERED GLOBE DID NOT GO AWAY. THEY FINALLY FELL ASLEEP,
FRIGHTEN TO DEATH. THE BOYS WERE VERY
BAD AND MEAN. IT IS SAID THAT THE DEVIL HAD COME TO VISIT THEM.
Where learned: SHIRLEYS HOME
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color |
MY GRANDFATHER BELIEVED THAT IF YOU THREW A HAIR FROM A HORSE'S
TAIL INTO A RAINBARREL IT WOULD TURN INTO A SNAKE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
James Callow Keyword(s): TRANSFORMATION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Animal BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color |
Date learned: 02-00-1984
WHILE WORKING AT AN ORPHANAGE IN PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI IN
1980, I MET A WOMAN NAMED MADAME PAPION. MADAME WAS A
DEVOUT CATHOLIC, YET ALSO A BELIEVER IN THE POWER OF THE
EVIL SPIRIT TO TAKE POSSESSION OF ONE'S BODY. SHE INFORMED
ME ABOUT HER SON WHO RECENTLY WAS POSSESSED. HE WOKE UP
DURING THE EVENING WITH HIS WHOLE BODY SHAKING AND HIS TEETH
CHATTERING AGAINST EACH OTHER. MADAME POURED HOLY WATER
OVER HIS BODY, AND IMMEDIATELY HIS SHAKING AND CHATTERING
STOPPED. HER SON KNEW NOTHING ABOUT THIS EVENT THE
FOLLOWING MORNING.
Submitter comment:
VOODOO BELIEFS ARE VERY PREVALENT IN HAITI, AND WATER
BLESSED BY A CATHOLIC PRIEST, HOLY WATER, IS OFTEN USED
TO CURE A PERSON FROM POSSESSION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color |
Date learned: 01-00-1980
MY MOTHER TOLD ME THAT WHEN YOU HAVE TINY BUBBLES IN YOUR FRESH
BREWED CUP OF TEA THAT THE BUBBLES REPRESENT MONEY.
IN ORDER TO GET THE MONEY YOU HAVE TO HURRY AND DRINK YOUR
BUBBLES IN YOUR TEA. YOU CAN'T USE A SPOON. IF YOU DO THIS YOU
WILL COME INTO SOME MONEY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 00-00-1954
HOW TO PRAY WITH THE PIPE THE HOLY WAY.
YOU PRAY WITH THE PIPE IN THE 6 DIRECTIONS WITH THE PIPE
IN YOUR LEFT HAND AND THE TOBACCO IN YOUR RIGHT HAND. FIRST
YOU FACE THE WEST. THE WEST IS WHERE THE THUNDER BEING LIVES
AND THIS IS THE PLACE WHICH CRISES COMES FROM DEMANDING DECISION.
THEN YOU PRAY AND PUT THE TOBACCO IN THE PIPE. YOU THEN GET
ANOTHER BIT OF TOBACCO AND TURN TO THE NORTH. THE NORTH IS
WHERE THE WHITE GIANT LIVES WHO BRINGS PURIFICATION. YOU THEN
PRAY AND PUT THE TOBACCO IN THE PIPE. YOU THEN GET SOME MORE
TOBACCO AND FACE THE EAST WHICH IS THE PLACE OF THE RISING SUN
AND THE SOURCE OF WISDOM. YOU THEN PRAY AND PLACE THE TOBACCO
IN THE PIPE. YOU THEN GET SOME MORE TOBACCO AND FACE THE SOUTH.
THE SOUTH IS THE PLACE WHICH PEOPLE TURN TO FIND LIFE. YOU THEN
PRAY AND PLACE THE TOBACCO IN THE PIPE. YOU THEN GET SOME MORE
TOBACCO AND FACE THE HEAVENS. THE HEAVENS IS THE PLACE OF GRAND-
FATHER GOD SYMBOLIZED BY THE EAGLE. THE EAGLE SYBOLIZES
OMNISCIENCE AND IMMORTALITY BECAUSE IT SEES ALL. YOU THEN PRAY
AND PLACE THE TOBACCO IN THE PIPE. YOU THEN GET SOME MORE TOBACCO
AND FACE THE EARTH. THE EARTH IS THE PLACE OF MOTHER GOD SEEN
AS THE PLACE OF FOOD AND HOME. YOU THEN PRAY AND PLACE THE TOBACCO
IN THE PIPE. BT DOING THESE SIX STEPS YOU HAVE MADE THE PLACE IN
WHICH YOU STAND THE CENTER OF THE UNIVERSE AND BY SMOKING FROM
THE PIPE YOU UNITE YOURSELF WITH THE UNIVERSE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color |
Date learned: 11-03-1985
ENTERING THE FRONT DOOR AND LEAVING BY THE BACK DOOR BRINGS COMPANY.
Submitter comment: COMPENSATION
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Ortonville
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color |
Date learned: 10-00-1987 ; 00001930S CA.
ROCKING AN EMPTY ROCKING CHAIR MEANS A DEATH WILL FOLLOW.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS TAUGHT TO HER BY HER MOTHER WHO INSISTED THAT THE PRACTICE
BE REFRAINED FROM.
UNNATURAL
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Ortonville
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color BELIEF -- Number Emptiness, nothingness, zero |
Date learned: 00001930S CA. ; 11-00-1987
IF YOU RECEIVE COMPANY AND YOU REALLY DON'T WANT TO SEE THAT PERSON
PUT A SPRINKLE OF SALT IN THEIR BEVERAGE AND THEY WILL BE LEAVING
SHORTLY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN
Keyword(s): VISITORS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color |
IN ABOUT THE 13TH CENTURY THERE WAS A DYBUUK MADE OUT OF CLAY
AND WOOD IN A JEWISH VILLAGE. THE DYBUUK WAS MADE IN THE
IMAGE OF A MAN. THERE WERE PEOPLE COMING TO HARM THE JEWS SO
A RABBI BREATHED LIFE INTO THE DUBUUK {DYBBUK?} AND PUT THE
NAME OF GOD ON HIS TONGUE AND HE SAVED THE VILLAGE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): STATUE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Gods PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Gods BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color SPEECH -- Proper Name |
Date learned: 06-00-1987
In Thailand it is custom to save your cooked rice
in a special container. When using it some
should always be left on the bottom for a rainy
day, meaning that your family would never go
hungry.
Where learned: THAILAND
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase |
Date learned: 00001960S
MY MOTHER ALWAYS TOLD ME THAT THE NIGHT BEFORE A TEST IF
I WANTED TO RETAIN THE KNOWLEDGE THAT I HAD STUDIED I SHOULD
TAKE MY BOOK OF THE SUBJECT THAT I WAS TO BE TESTED ON AND
PLACE THAT BOOK UNDER MY MATTRESS BEFORE I GO TO SLEEP, AND
THE KNOWLEDGE WOULD STAY WITH ME.
Submitter comment:
THE THING ABOUT THIS BELIEF IS THAT IT REALLY DID WORK: I
WOULD USUALLY REMEMBER ALL THE INFORMATION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Lansing
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- School BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color |
Date learned: 00001980CA