Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for N222.9 returned 393 results.
NOT GIVEN
A PIECE OF CARROT SHOULD BE EATEN ON NEW YEAR'S EVE TO BRING
GOOD LUCK.
Submitter comment: MRS. DEVEREUX LEARNED THIS AS A CHILD AND STILL PRACTICES IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE PARK
NOT GIVEN
EAT SMOKED-HERRING ON NEW YEAR'S EVE TO INSURE GOOD HEALTH.
Submitter comment:
MRS. DEVEREUX LEARNED THIS FROM HER RELATIVES AND STILL
PRACTICES IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE PARK
FRENCH CUSTOM
ON NEW YEAR'S EVE BEFORE GOING OUT TO CELEBRATE, YOU SHOULD EAT
MEAT PIE (WHICH IS MADE OF GROUND PORK SHOULDER, SALT AND PEPPER)
TO GREASE YOUR STOMACH. THIS PREVENTS ONE FROM GETTING DRUNK AND
BECOMING SICK.
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM MY MOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 03-20-1967
FOOD BELIEF
TO INSURE GOOD LUCK THROUGHOUT THE NEW YEAR, ONE SHOULD EAT
PORK ON NEW YEAR'S DAY.
Submitter comment:
MISS ZITZEWITZ LEARNED THIS AS A CHILD AND HER FAMILY STILL
PRACTICES IT TODAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Date learned: 10-02-1963
NEW YEAR'S SUPERSTITION
YOU MUST HAVE PORK FOR YOUR NEW YEAR'S DAY DINNER.
Submitter comment:
THIS OLD GERMAN SUPERSTITION IS TRADITIONAL IN MY UNCLE'S FAMILY.
ACCORDING TO HIM: "PORK WAS SUPPOSED TO BRING GOOD LUCK AND
FORTUNE, AND THIS WAS BASED ON AN OLD RURAL BELIEF THAT MOST
FARM ANIMALS WANDERED AWAY FROM THE HOUSE, WHILE THE HOGS ALWAYS
ROOTED TOWARDS THE HOUSE." HE ADDED WITH A SMILE, "MY MOTHER
WASN'T SUPERSTITIOUS, BUT WE ALWAYS HAD PORK FOR NEW YEAR'S."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals BELIEF -- Animal BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 01-00-1964
EVE OF NEW YEAR
FOR NEW YEAR'S EVE YOU ARE TO HAVE SOURKRAUT AND SPARE RIBS
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS LEARNED FROM HER ADOLESCENT STAGE IN HER HOME TOWN.
THIS IS A SUPERSTITIOUS BELIEF OF HAVING CERTAIN FOODS FOR A
SPECIFIC DAY, IN ORDER TO BRING GOOD LUCK FOR THE COMING YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SAUERKRAUT
Date learned: 00001930S
NEW YEAR'S
EAT PORK ROAST AND SAUREKRAUT ON NEW YEAR'S EVE FOR GOOD LUCK.
Submitter comment: MANY SUCH COMMON DISHES ARE EATEN ON SPECIAL DAYS BY ETHNIC GROUPS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 02-00-1974
UKRAINIAN CATHOLIC CHRISTMAS CUSTOMS
ON CHRISTMAS EVE "A HOLY SUPPER" IS SERVED WHEN THE FIRST EVENING
STAR APPEARS IN THE SKY. THE SUPPER CONSISTS OF NON-MEAT
FOODS, FOR THE DAY OF CHRISTMAS EVE IS DEVOTED TO PRAYER, FASTING
AND STRICT ABSTINENCE. THE FLOOR IS COVERED WITH STRAW AND THE
TABLE WITH HAY, A REMEMBRANCE THAT JESUS WAS BORN IN A STABLE
AND LAID IN A MANGER. A WHITE TABLE CLOTH IS SPREAD OVER
THE TABLE. ON THE CENTER OF THE TABLE A LARGE LIGHTED CANDLE
REPRESENTS THE STAR OF BETHLEHEM. FOR SUPPER THERE ARE TWELVE
PLATES. IT BEGINS WITH A PRAYER. THE HEAD OF THE FAMILY
DISTRIBUTES "PHOSPHORA", LITTLE PIECES OF BREAD WITH HONEY.
SUPPER CONSISTS OF ITEMS SUCH AS KUTIA, BOILED WHEAT AND HONEY,
BORSCH, BEET SOUP, HOLUBUTSI, CABBAGE ROLLS, PYRAHY, BOILED
ROLLS FILLED WITH MASHED POTATOES, CABBAGE AND CHEESE, AND FISH.
EACH A REMEMBRANCE OF THE TWELVE APOSTLES.
A SHEAF OF RYE IN THE CORNER OF THE ROOM IS A SYMBOL OF THE FERTILITY
OF THE UKRAINIAN SOIL. DURING SUPPER CAROLS ARE SUNG. GROUPS OF
CAROLERS VISIT THE HOME AND CAROL "KOLIADA" DURING THE EVENING.
A GROTTO IS CARRIED WITH THE SHEPHERDS AND MANGER AND ALSO THE
CAROLERS CARRY SIX OR EIGHT POINTED STARS WITH TWO SURFACES AND
A CANDLE IS PLACED BETWEEN THEM. THE CAROLERS REPRESENT THE
SHEPHERDS AND ANGELS, CAROLING IS POPULAR TO GLORIFY JESUS
AND MARY AND INSTILL RELIGIOUS TRUTHS TO THE PEOPLE. CAROLS
ORIGINATED IN THE 17 CENTURY. THE OLDEST IS "BOH PREDVICHNEY", THAT
IS "ETERNAL GOD IS BORN". THE CAROLS ARE IN TWO GROUPS, "KOLIADY"
AND "SCHEDRIVKY". THE FIRST GROUP IS RELIGIOUS AND THE SECOND
EXPRESSES GREETINGS PEOPLE GREET ONE ANOTHER WITH. AN EXAMPLE
IS "KHRYSTOS RAGHDAYETSIA" OR CHRIST IS BORN, THE ANSWER
"SLAVYTE YEHA" OR PRAISE HIM.
Submitter comment:
THESE ARE VERY INVOLVED AND SYMBOLIC CUSTOMS FOR CHRISTMAS.
THEY ARE PRACTICED HERE AND IN THE UKRAINE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 02-00-1974
EASTER BREAKFAST CUSTOM
ON HOLY SATURDAY YOU WOULD PREPARE A BASKET LINED WITH LINEN NAPKINS
AND COVERED WITH THEM TOO. IN THE BASKET YOU WOULD PUT LITTLE ROUND
LOAVES OF BREAD, COLORED BOILED EGGS, LAMB SHAPED WHIPPED BUTTER,
SALT AND PEPPER, HORSERADISH, KIELBASA AND HAM. YOU WOULD TAKE THIS
TO THE PARISH TO BE BLESSED AND ON EASTER MORNING IT WOULD BE YOUR
BREAKFAST. ANYTHING YOU DIDN'T EAT WOULD HAVE TO BE BURNED OR BURIED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): LEFTOVERS
Date learned: 11-00-1973
CHRISTMAS EVE CUSTOM
ON CHRISTMAS EVE THERE IS A MEAL CALLED WILIA (?) (VEELEA). THIS
IS A MEATLESS MEAL AND IT CANNOT BE STARTED UNTIL THE FIRST STAR
APPEARS. IT MUST ALSO BE FINISHED BEFORE MIDNIGHT MASS. BEFORE THE
MEAL THERE IS A LONG, THIN WAFER CALLED AN OPLATEK (OPWATEK) WHICH
EACH PERSON HAS AND WHICH EACH OTHER PERSON BREAKS A PIECE FROM.
AS THEY DO THIS THEY SHARE CHRISTMAS GREETINGS AND EAT THE WAFERS
TOGETHER. THESE WAFERS WERE MADE BY CATHOLIC COMMUNION HOST
COMPANIES AND WERE AVAILABLE FROM RECTORIES AND CONVENTS. THE MEAL
WOULD BE HELD AT THE OLDEST AVAILABLE PARENTS' HOUSE WITH ALL THE
CHILDREN PRESENT. IF SOMEONE MISSED THE MEAL EVERYONE WOULD HOLD
ON TO THEIR WAFERS TILL THE NEXT DAY AND PERFORM THE CEREMONY THEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 11-00-1973
PACKI (PUNCHKI) DAY
THE DAY BEFORE ASH WEDNESDAY, PEOPLE WOULD BUY PACZKI AT BAKERIES.
IN THE OLD DAYS PEOPLE WOULD MAKE THEM INSTEAD. A PACZEK (SINGULAR)
IS LIKE A JELLYROLL. PEOPLE DID THIS AS ONE LAST CHANCE TO EAT SWEETS
BEFORE FASTING DURING LENT. THIS IS STILL DONE IN POLISH AREAS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Pre Lent Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals |
Date learned: 11-00-1973
ORANGES
AN ITALIAN CUSTOM AT EASTER TIME IS TO EAT SLICED ORANGES WITH
OIL AND PEPPER ON THEM. THIS IS DONE FOR GOOD LUCK
Where learned: DETROIT
Date learned: 11-03-1972
SMELTS
AN ITALIAN CUSTOM IS TO EAT SMELTS ON CHRISTMAS EVE.
THEY SYMBOLIZE THE FISHERMEN (APOSTLES) AND THE COMING OF CHRIST
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMAL
Date learned: 11-03-1972
HOLY SATURDAY CUSTOM
IT IS A TRADITIONAL EUROPEAN CUSTON ON HOLY SATURDAY TO TAKE A BASKET
OF EASTER BREAD, BUTTER IN THE SHAPE OF A LAMB, AND EGGS TO BE
BLESSED BY THE PRIEST IN A CEREMONY IN WHICH ALL THE PEOPLE PARTICI-
PATE.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM HER GIRL FRIEND MANY YEARS AGO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
| Subject headings: | 663 Holy Saturday Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 09-25-1972
GOOD LUCK
IT IS GOOD LUCK TO EAT PICKLED HERRING ON NEW YEAR'S EVE.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM A GERMAN IMMIGRANT AND INFORMANT }
HIMSELF DOES NOT BELIEVE IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| 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 -- Good luck P881.42 |
Date learned: 09-25-1972
FOR GOODLUCK FOR A YEAR, ON NEW YEAR'S DAY, EAT SOUL FOOD,
ESPECIALLY BLACKEYED PEAS.
Submitter comment: MRS. LOCKHART'S FAMILY HAS PRACTICED THIS FOR GENERATIONS.
Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD IN
Date learned: 01-01-1972
NEW YEAR'S CUSTOM
IN ORDER TO ENSURE GOOD LUCK THROUGHOUT THE COMING YEAR, SAUERKRAUT AND PORK
MUST BE SERVED AT THE MAIN MEAL NEW YEAR'S DAY.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share the same surname.
Where learned: OHIO ; CLEVELAND
Date learned: 09-10-1972
HOLY THURSDAY
CALLED GREEN THURSDAY; WAS THE CUSTOM TO EAT SPINACH, EITHER RAW
OR COOKED, TO ENSURE GOOD LUCK THROUGH THE YEAR; EATEN ALONG WITH
BREADED PORK CHOPS.
Where learned: OHIO ; CLEVELAND
| Subject headings: | 663 Holy Thursday Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals BELIEF -- Good luck P881.4 |
Date learned: 09-10-1972
"PINK SKIES AT NIGHT, A SAILOR'S DELIGHT. BLUE SKIES AT MORNING, A SAILOR'S WARNING."
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals |
Date learned: 11-15-1972
CHOCOLATE CAKE
WELL, I ALWAYS HAVE BAKED A CHOCOLATE CAKE FOR YOUR DAD ON HIS BIRTHDAY, WITH
SPECIAL INGREDIENTS LIKE FRESH CHOCOLATE AND BUTTERMILK. I MADE IT
FROM SCRATCH. MY MOTHER USED TO DO THAT FOR MY FATHER ON HIS BIRTHDAY
TOO.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant is collector's mother.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
Date learned: 11-15-1972