The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

SHWAREE

KIDNAPPING A GROOM FROM HIS BRIDE ON HIS WEDDING NIGHT. WHEN THE
GROOM WAS KIDNAPPED HE WAS BLIND FOLDED, WITH HIS HANDS AND FEET TIED
TOGETHER. HE WAS THEN TAKEN OUT INTO THE WOOD AND LEFT,
HE HAD TO FIND
HIS OWN WAY BACK TO THE CABIN. WHEN HE DID AND IF HE DID FIND THE
WAY BACK, A GROUP OF PEOPLE WOULD THEN GATHER AT THE COUPLES'S DOOR
AND SING LOVE SONGS WISHING THEM HAPPINESS THROUGHOUT MARRIED LIFE
TOGETHER.

Submitter comment: THIS CUSTOM WAS VERY POPULAR WITH THE PEOPLE WHO LIVED IN THE SOUTH.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

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WEDDING NIGHT

IF THE COUPLE WOULD NOT GO ON A HONEYMOON, NEIGHBORS WOULD
SERENADE OUTSIDE THEIR HOME, UNTIL THEY RECEIVED A TREAT OR DONATION

Where learned: WEST VIRGINIA ; MINDEN

Date learned: 00-00-1929

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MARRIAGE CUSTOM

AFTER A YOUNG COUPLE RETURNS HOME FROM THEIR HONEYMOON, THE PEOPLE
WOULD ALWAYS HAVE A "BANJO". THAT MEANS THEY WAIT UNTIL THEY ARE
SETTLED IN BED AND THEN EVERYONE MEETS AT THEIR HOUSE AND BLOWS
HORNS AND YELLS UNTIL THE BRIDE AND GROOM COME OUT AND INVITE
EVERYONE IN.

Submitter comment: ITEM WAS LEARNED IN NOVA SCOTIA ALTHOUGH COLLECTED IN DETROIT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; BOTSFORD GRADE SCHOOL ; CLARENCEVILLE DISTRICT

James Callow Keyword(s): CHARIVARI ; SHIVAREE

Date learned: 11-00-1982

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FRIENDS OF A NEWLYWED COUPLE BREAK INTO THE COUPLE'S
ROOM THE NIGHT AFTER THEY ARE MARRIED; THEY PUT THE
GIRL IN A WHEELBARROW AND THE BOY HAS TO PUSH HER DOWN
THE MAIN STREET. THEY ARE TAKEN IN WHATEVER THEY ARE
WEARING.

Submitter comment: THIS IS STILL DONE IN THE SMALLER TOWNS IN KANSAS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; KANSAS

Date learned: 11-00-1970

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