Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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TEST CHARM
IF YOU WRITE "JMJ," FOR JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH, IN THE UPPER RIGHT
HAND CORNER OF A SCHOOL ASSIGNMENT, YOU WILL DO WELL ON IT.
Submitter comment:
I LEARNED THIS IN THIRD GRADE AT MY CATHOLIC GRADE SCHOOL. MOST OF
OUR CLASS FOLLOWED THIS CUSTOM, WE CONSIDERED IT EXTRA INSURANCE
THAT WE WOULD DO WELL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): BELIEV
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School BELIEF -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Word Letter |
LEGEND
THERE IS A PRIEST IN SAN JUAN DE LOS LAGOS, MEXICO, WHO SAID TO GOD
HE WOULD SAY THE OUR FATHER EVERY TIME SOMEONE CAME INTO THE CHURCH
IN ORDER TO THANK GOD FOR LETTING HIM BE A PRIEST. HE DIED AND WAS
BURIED. THE NEXT TIME SOMEONE CAME INTO THE CHURCH AFTER HE DIED,
THE PRIEST SAID THE OUR FATHER REALLY LOUD AND SLOW. NO ONE KNEW
WHERE HIS VOICE WAS COMING FROM. HE DID THIS AT MASS AS PEOPLE WERE
COMING IN AND EVERYONE RAN OUT BECAUSE THEY WERE SCARED. THE POLICE
CAME TO CHECK OUT THE CHURCH FOR LOUDSPEAKERS, AND THEY CHECKED THE
WHOLE CHURCH AND FOUND NOTHING. THE POLICE FINALLY LOCKED UP THE
CHURCH. AFTER THAT, TWO DRUNKS SOMEHOW GOT INTO THE CHURCH. THE
PRIEST SAID THE OUR FATHER AND THEY RAN OUT OF THE CHURCH COMPLETELY
SOBER. NO ONE GOES IN THE CHURCH ANYMORE, THIS IS A TRUE STORY.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT TOLD THIS STORY AS STRAIGHT FACT, HE BELIEVED IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
James Callow Keyword(s): BELIEF ; INSOBRIETY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Supernatural Being BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 11-00-1975
CURSE
IT IS AN ITALIAN BELIEF THAT A CURSE CAN BE UNCONSCIOUSLY
WISHED UPON YOU. IF YOU GET THE CURSE, THE ONLY WAY YOU CAN RID
YOURSELF OF IT IS TO HAVE THREE PEOPLE TRY TO GET RID OF IT. THEY
GET RID OF IT BE RECITING A SPECIAL CHANT. THE WORDS TO THE CHANT
CAN ONLY BE LEARNED ON CHRISTMAS EVE.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS TOLD TO MY INFORMANT BY HER COUSIN IN ITALY. EVERYONE IN
HER FAMILY HAD HEARD OF THE CURSE, BUT NO ONE KNEW THE WORDS TO CURE
IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): NUMBERS
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 BELIEF -- Curse SPEECH -- Formula |
WEDDING SHOWER CUSTOM
AT A BRIDAL SHOWER, THE NUMBER OF RIBBONS BROKEN FROM THE PRESENTS
THE BRIDE RECEIVES INDICATES THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN SHE WILL HAVE.
SEVEN BROKEN RIBBONS MEAN SEVEN CHILDREN.
Submitter comment:
EVERYONE LAUGHS AT THIS CUSTOM, BUT AT EVERY BRIDAL SHOWER I HAVE
ATTENDED THE FUTURE BRIDE HAS BEEN VERY CAREFUL. I HAVE NEVER
SEEN A BROKEN RIBBON.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA
James Callow Keyword(s): NUMBERS ; SYMBOLS
| Subject headings: | 686 Seven / Sevenths / Several Observation BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: CA00001970
LEGEND
IN MEXICO WHEN SOMEONE DIES, YOU CAN APPROACH A CERTAIN GROUP AND
THEY WILL GIVE A MASS FOR THAT PERSON FOR 30 STRAIGHT DAYS. THIS IS
SO THE PERSON WILL GO TO HEAVEN. BUT YOU CAN'T MISS A DAY OF THOSE
30 DAYS. MY UNCLE DIED IN SAN PANCHO, AND HIS SISTER-IN-LAW WAS IN
THE GROUP. SO THEY PRAYED FOR HIM. THE SISTER-IN-LAW IS REALLY
OLD AND EVERYONE KNOWS SHE IS DYING. ON THE 30TH DAY OF THE MASS,
SHE FELT SOMEONE COME UP AND TOUCH HER ON THE SHOULDER. SHE TURNED
AND THE PERSON SAID, " MUCHAS GRACIAS. TE ESPERO?" WHICH MEANT,
THANK YOU' SHOULD I WAIT FOR YOU? THEN HE WALKED AWAY. SHE DIDN,T
SEE HIS FACE, BUT SHE KNEW IT WAS MY UNCLE BY THE WAY HE WAS BUILT.
EVERYONE IN TOWN KNOWS THIS AND BELIEVES IT, TOO.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT KNOWS THIS IS TRUE AND BELIEVES IN IT COMPLETELY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
James Callow Keyword(s): NUMBERS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Prayer BELIEF -- Number P686.1.30 SPEECH -- To Be Seen |
Date learned: 11-00-1975
LEGEND
THERE WERE 12 NUNS IN A CONVENT WHO MADE A VOW SAYING THAT AFTER THEY
DIED THEY WANTED TO HAVE A ROSARY WITH ONE LIVE PERSON FOR SO MANY
DAYS AND IF THE PERSON STAYED WITH THEM FOR TEN DAYS, THEY WOULD GIVE
THE PERSON THEIR CONVENT. A LADY WENT DOWN THERE NOT KNOWING THE
STORY AND ASKED AN INNKEEPER IF THERE WERE ANY MOTEL ROOMS SHE COULD
STAY IN. HE TOLD HER SHE COULD STAY IN THE CONVENT. SO SHE
STAYED THERE BECAUSE SHE THOUGHT IT WAS DESERTED. THEN THE 12 NUNS
ALL HOLDING CANDLES, WALKED BY HER AND INTO THE CHURCH. SHE
FOLLOWED THEM IN AND WATCHED THEM SAYING THE ROSARY, WITH ONE OF
THEM SAYING IT AND EVERYONE ELSE ANSWERING IT. THIS HAPPENED FOR TEN
DAYS AND EVERYDAY THE NUNS WOULD DISAPPEAR AS SOON AS THE ROSARY WAS
DONE. ON THE FINAL DAY, AS THE NUNS WERE WALKING OUT, ONE OF THEM
HANDED A NOTE TO THE WOMAN. THE NOTE THANKED HER FOR HELPING THEM
FULFILL THEIR VOW. THEN IT SAID THAT THEY GAVE THE CONVENT TO HER.
THIS IS A TRUE STORY. EVERYONE KNEW ABOUT IT AND KNEW IT WAS
TRUE. THIS HAPPENED IN THE 40'S IN MEXICO. THE WOMAN WENT BACK TO
THE INNKEEPER AFTER THIS WAS OVER AND ASKED HIM ABOUT IT. SO THEN HE
TOLD HER ABOUT THE NUNS, VOW.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT HAD SEVERAL STORIES WHICH WERE BASED IN MEXICO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
James Callow Keyword(s): NUMBERS
| Subject headings: | 686 First / Once / One / Newness 686 Seconds / Twice / Two PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial SPEECH -- To Be Seen |
Date learned: 11-00-1975
THE EVIL EYE
TWO SIGNS WHICH SHOULD BE WORN TOGETHER ON A CHAIN ARE A HAND WITH
THE INDEX AND LITTLE FINGERS EXTENDED AND AN ITALIAN HORN. THEY
ARE WORN TO WARD OFF THE EVIL EYE. THE SYMBOL OF THE HAND IS ALSO
DONE WHEN YOU WANT TO WISH PEOPLE THE EVIL EYE.
Submitter comment:
THE ITALIAN HORN HAS IN RECENT YEARS BECOME A FAD AND IS WORN BY
MANY PEOPLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
James Callow Keyword(s): GESTURE SYMBOL ; MANU CORNUTA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Eyes, evil eye BELIEF -- Sign Color SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 11-00-1975
MOTHER'S DAY CUSTOM
IF YOU WANT TO BUY YOUR MOTHER A CORSAGE FOR MOTHER'S DAY, THERE ARE
THINGS YOU SHOULD FIRST KNOW. IF YOUR MOTHER'S MOTHER IS DEAD, YOU
SHOULD BUY HER A WHITE FLOWER. IF YOUR MOTHER'S MOTHER IS ALIVE,
YOU SHOULD BUY HER A PINK FLOWER. I DON'T KNOW WHAT A RED FLOWER
MEANS.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS TOLD TO ME WHEN I BOUGHT MY MOTHER THE WRONG COLOR OF
FLOWER. I HAVE BEEN MORE CAREFUL SINCE THEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): COLOR SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- March 21 equinox to June 20 BELIEF -- Color |
SLOVAK PRE-LENT CUSTOM
ON THE SATURDAY BEFORE LENT, PARTIES AND DANCES ARE A MUST.
THEY LAST FROM SATURDAY THRU TUESDAY BEFORE MIDNIGHT
WHICH IS THE BEGINNING OF ASH WEDNESDAY. MANY A YOUNG MAN DID NOT
COME HOME DURING THIS FESTIVE WEEK BECAUSE IT WAS ALL DANCE - PARTY -
EAT - DRINK - SINGING. ALL WERE VERY GAYLY DRESSED.
Where learned: OHIO ; CLEVELAND
Keyword(s): FEASTING BEFORE FASTING
| Subject headings: | 663 Ash Wednesday CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Pre Lent |
Date learned: 00001967 FALL
FOOD CUSTOM
IT IS THE CUSTOM OF THE ENGLISH TO MAKE AND EAT PANCAKES ON SHROUD
TUESDAY (TUESDAY BEFORE ASH WEDNESDAY).
Data entry tech comment:
I BELIEVE THIS TUESDAY IS REFERRED TO AS SHROVE, RATHER THAN SHROUD,
TUESDAY. IT MEANS THE DAY ON WHICH PEOPLE ARE SHRIVEN FROM SINS.
THE TUESDAY BEFORE ASH WEDNESDAY IS THE LAST TIME A PERSON CAN
RECEIVE CONFESSION UNTIL LENT IS OVER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FEASTING BEFORE FASTING
| Subject headings: | 663 Ash Wednesday 663 Mardi Gras CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Pre Lent |
Date learned: 03-17-1970
LENTEN FESTIVAL
THE POLISH LENT BEGINS WITH PACZKI DAY, WHICH IS THE TUESDAY BEFORE
ASH WEDNESDAY. EITHER MEMBERS OF A FAMILY OR A GROUP OF FRIENDS
MEET AND EAT HOT JELLY DONUTS. THE DONUTS
ARE SWEET AND EATEN WITH GREAT RELISH. FOR THE COMING
6 ( SIX ) WEEKS OF THE LENTEN SEASON THE POLES THUS BID FAREWELL
TO SWEETNESS AND PREPARE TO UNDERTAKE SACRIFICES.
FOR THE SUFFERING OF CHRIST.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; UNION
Keyword(s): FEASTING BEFORE FASTING
| Subject headings: | 663 Mardi Gras 663 Ash Wednesday |
Date learned: 11-26-1970
KREWE
THIS IS THE GENERIC TERM FOR CARNIVAL ORGANIZATIONS. THERE ARE
66, REX IS THE OLDEST AND CELEBRATED ITS 100TH
PARADE AND BALL THIS YEAR. SOME GROUPS
SPONSOR ONLY A PARADE OR BALL BUT MANY HAVE BOTH. THE MARDI GRAS
LASTS FROM 12TH NIGHT TO THE TUESDAY BEFORE ASH WEDNESDAY.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
Keyword(s): FEASTING BEFORE FASTING
| Subject headings: | 663 Mardi Gras 663 Ash Wednesday CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany |
Date learned: 02-00-1971
BOEUF GRAS
A FATTED OX, PART OF THE PRE LENTEN FESTIVITIES OF THE REX
--THE EARLIEST KREWE OF THE MARDI GRAS. IT IS THE SYMBOL OF THE LAST
FLESH MEAT EATEN BEFORE THE LENTEN AUSTERITY.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
Keyword(s): FEASTING BEFORE FASTING
| Subject headings: | 663 Mardi Gras |
Date learned: 02-00-1971
LENTEN CUSTOMS:
DURING THE FOUR WEEKS OF LENT FOUR CANDLES ARE PLACED IN A ROUND
WREATH. EACH DAY OF THE FIRST WEEK THE FIRST CANDLE IS BURNED FOR
A FEW MINUTES AND A PRAYER IS SAID. (DURING THE SECOND, THIRD,
AND FOURTH WEEKS THE SAME IS DONE.)
Data entry tech comment:
I THINK THAT INFORMANT HAS THIS CUSTOM MIXED UP WITH THAT OF THE
FOUR WEEKS OF ADVENT THAT ARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS. IF THIS IS A TRUE
CUSTOM, I WONDER WHAT IS DONE ON THE 5TH AND 6TH SUNDAYS OF LENT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | 663 Lent |
Date learned: 10-27-1969
LENTEN DISHES
IN BULGARIA IMMEDIATELY BEFORE THE BEGINNING OF THE LONG LENTEN FAST,
EVERY DISH IN THE HOUSE IS SCRUBBED TO REMOVE ANY POSSIBLE MEAT
RESIDUE.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT SAID THIS IS DONE BECAUSE DURING THE SEVERAL WEEKS OF
LENT IN THE ORTHODOX CHURCH, NO MEAT CAN BE EATEN.
Where learned: HENDRICKSONS PHARMACY ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ABSTINENCE
| Subject headings: | 663 Lent Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Pre Lent |
Date learned: 03-21-1970
LENT
MOST FAMILIES HAVE A LOT OF SOUP DURING LENT IN PLACE OF MEATS.
ACQUIRED THIS EVERY LENT.
Where learned: OSGOOD ROAD, ASSUMED ; MILFORD ; NEW HAMPSHIRE, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): ABSTINENCE ; FOOD CUSTOM ; SELF-SACRIFICE
| Subject headings: | 663 Lent |
Date learned: 08-00-1967
Ethnic: Italian
IT IS AN OLD ITALIAN CUSTOM THAT DURING LENT NOTHING MADE FROM EGGS
ARE ( IS ) EATEN UNTIL HOLY SATURDAY AFTERNOON.
Submitter comment:
THIS CUSTOM WAS PASSED TO THE INFORMANT FROM HER MOTHER AND
ORIGINALLY CAME FROM SOUTHERN ITALY.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated / 02-24-2011 / TRD
Where learned: NEW YORK ; PORT CHESTER
Keyword(s): ABSTINENCE ; CUSTOM ; Eggs ; ETHNIC ; FOOD ; holiday ; Italian ; Lent ; RELIGIOUS ; SELF-SACRIFICE
| Subject headings: | 663 Holy Saturday CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Christian Chronology |
Date learned: 11-28-1970
HOLY WEEK
IN UKRAINE, IT IS CUSTOMARY NOT TO EAT MEAT ALL WEEK.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM RELATIVES IN UKRAINE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ABSTINENCE FROM MEAT ; SELF-SACRIFICE--FASTING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting F663.30 |
Date learned: 12-03-1967
( HOLY WEEK CUSTOMS )
SOME OF THE OLD WORLD CUSTOMS THAT ARE CELEBRATED BY
POLISH-AMERICANS, AND ARE A BIG PART OF OUR HERITAGE STEM FROM
OUR CATHOLIC FAITH. THE BIGGEST AND MOST IMPORTANT IS EASTER.
AT THE CONCLUSION OF HOLY THURSDAY SERVICES OUR ALTAR IS
STRIPPED OF ITS VESTMENTS AND IS LEFT BARE. THE TABERNACLE
IS LEFT OPEN AND THE SACREMENT REMOVED. AT THE SIDE ALTAR THE
SEPULCHRE IS PREPARED. AT 3:00 ON GOOD FRIDAY THE FIGURE OF
CHRIST WILL BE LYING IN THE TOMB. ON GOOD FRIDAY ( , )
BEGINNING AT 12:00 NOON ( , ) THE CHURCH IS FILLED TO CAPACITY
WITH WORSHIPPERS COMMENORATING ( COMMEMORATING ) CHRIST'S
CRUCIFIXION. THE CROSS IS CARRIED THROUGH THE AISLES COVERING
CHRIST'S FOOTSTEPS ON THE WAY TO CALVARY. AT 3:00, THE PRIEST
LEADS THE PROCESSION TO THE SEPULCHRE AND THE FIGURE OF CHRIST IS
UNCOVERED.
THE MORNING OF HOLY SATURDAY FINDS THE PEOPLE COMING TO THE CHURCH
TO RECEIVE HOLY WATER AND THORNS. IN POLISH HOMES YOU WILL FIND
A RECEPTACLE FOR HOLY WATER AT THE ENTRANCE OF THE BEDROOMS FROM
WHICH THE MOTHER BLESSES HER FAMILY WHILE THEY ARE ASLEEP AT
NIGHT. A VISIT IS PAID TO THE SEPULCHRE WHICH IS GUARDED BY
SOLDIERS. THE PARISHIONERS BRING EASTER LILIES TO ADORN CHRIST'S
TOMB. AT 1:00 WE BRING FOOD BASKETS TO THE CHURCH TO BE BLESSED,
WHICH WILL BE EATEN FOR BREAKFAST ON EASTER. THE FOOD CONSISTS OF
POLISH SAUSAGE (KIELBASA) ( , ) BUTTER SHAPED IN THE FORM OF A
LAMB WITH A RED RIBBON AROUND ITS NECK, SIGNIFYING CHRIST,
THE SLAIN LAMB. A SWEET BREAD MADE OF EGG AND SWEET RAISINS IS
BRAIDED INTO A LOAF, HORSERADISH AND COLORED EASTER ( EGGS ) ARE
ALSO IN THE BASKET.
EASTER MORNING AT 5:00 A.M. THE SUNRISE SERVICES BEGIN.
CHILDREN DRESSED IN WHITE ( , ) WEARING BLUE CAPES ( , ) COME IN
PROCESSION CARRYING FLOWERS. THEY ARE MET AT THE ALTAR BY THE
PRIEST AND WITH A TRUMPET FANFARE PROCEED TO THE TOMB. THERE
THEY FIND THE FIGURE OF CHRIST HAS BEEN REMOVED AND WHERE HE LAID
FLOWERS EN-MASSE. ARTIFICIAL SUNRAYS PROFUSE FROM THE TOMB, AND
THE SOLDIERS ARE GONE. CHRIST IS RISEN.
IN THE OLD COUNTRY EASTER MONDAY FINDS THE BOYS CHASING THEIR
GIRLS WITH LONG SWITCHES TO SWITCH THEIR LEGS. THEY IN TURN,
ARE CHASING THE BOYS WITH BUCKETS OF WATER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
Keyword(s): DYNGUS DAY ; FOOD CUSTOM ; MUSIC ; RITUAL WHIPPING ; SWIECZONKA ; SYMBOL ; WATER
Date learned: 11-10-1971
HOLY WEEK
ON HOLY THURSDAY AND GOOD FRIDAY PEOPLE HAVE ELABORATE
PROCESSIONS THROUGH THE STREETS OF MALTA VISITING SEVEN DIFFERENT
CHURCHES. CHILDREN CARRY SYMBOLS OF THE PASSION--E.G. ( , ) THE
NAILS, ROBE, DICE.
Data entry tech comment:
100% OF THE POPULATION OF MALTA IS ROMAN CATHOLIC.
THIS IS DONE TO SYMBOLIZE THE SEVEN LAST WORDS OF CHRIST.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ABSTINENCE
| Subject headings: | 663 Holy Thursday 663 Good Friday Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Accessories DRAMA -- Religious CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting F663.30 BELIEF -- Number |
Date learned: 03-08-1970