Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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WHEN EATING LAMB OR GOAT'S MEAT, ONLY THE MEN ARE ALLOWED TO EAT THE
ANIMAL HEAD; THE WOMEN CAN ONLY EAT THE LOWER JAW BONE.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT TOLD ME THAT IT WAS A TREAT TO EAT AN ANIMAL'S
HEAD, AND THAT EATING LAMB AND GOAT IS COMMON IN AFRICA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
James Callow Keyword(s): SEXISM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. |
Date learned: 03-00-1982
BEER OR "BITTER" IS SOLD AT PUBS IN ENGLAND BY THE PINT AND BY
THE HALF-PINT. HOWEVER, MEN ARE NEVER SUPPOSED TO ORDER HALF-PINTS
AS IT'S A SIGN OF A LACK OF MASCULINITY. WOMEN BY THE SAME TOKEN
SHOULD NEVER ORDER FULL PINTS AS IT'S A SIGN OF A LACK OF FEMININITY.
Where learned: ENGLAND ; CAMBRIDGE
James Callow Keyword(s): SEXISM
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Alcoholic beverage Fermented BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 07-00-1982
ON THE FIRST SIGHT OF SPRING, A CELEBRATION MUST
BE INITIATED BY THE FAMILIES WHO HAVE TWO OR MORE BOYS
IN THE VILLAGE TO INSURE GOOD LUCK FOR THE NEW YEAR.
Submitter comment:
IT WAS BELIEVED THIS WOULD INSURE HEALTHY BIRTHS OF
ALL CHILDREN AND WOULD INCREASE THE BIRTHS OF BOYS.
Where learned: COLLECTED BY MAIL ; COOKHAM RISE ; BERKSHIRE
James Callow Keyword(s): SEXISM
Date learned: 00-00-1970
GRAFFITO
SOME BABIES ARE BORN TO BE GREAT,
OTHERS ARE BORN BOYS}
Submitter comment:
THIS MESSAGE WAS WRITTEN ON THE WALL OF A WOMEN'S RESTROOM AT
HENRY FORD COMMUNITY COLLEGE IN DEARBORN, MICHIGAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
James Callow Keyword(s): SEXISM
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- C850- |
Date learned: 00-00-1982
DIVINATION OF SEX BELIEF
THE INFORMANT'S GRANDFATHER BELIEVED THAT WHEN SOME WOMAN
HE KNEW WAS PREGNANT HE COULD LOOK AT THE MOON AND GET A
FEELING WHETHER THE CHILD WOULD BE A BOY OR A GIRL.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT'S GRANDFATHER TENDED TO DISREGARD ANY INCORRECT
PREDICTIONS REGARDING THIS PRACTICE OF HIS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CLINTON TOWNSHIP
James Callow Keyword(s): SEX
| Subject headings: | Prophet / Seer / Soothsayer Spirit / Mind / Body Observation BELIEF -- Moon BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 11-00-1982
DUNKING DAYS
CHILDREN IN PENNSYLVANIA CELEBRATE DUNKING
DAYS ON TWO CONSECUTIVE SUNDAYS IN MAY OR JUNE
AROUND WHITSUNDAY. ON THE FIRST SUNDAY, THE
BOYS ATTEMPT TO WET THE GIRLS WITH WATER. ON
THE FOLLOWING SUNDAY, THE GIRLS ATTEMPT TO WET
THE BOYS. I DON'T KNOW WHEN I FIRST HEARD ABOUT
THIS CUSTOM, BUT MY MOTHER TOLD ME THAT SHE CELEBRATED
DUNKING DAYS IN DUQUESNE, PENNSYLVANIA AROUND 1945.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT ADVISES THAT HER MOTHER'S NAME IS
MARY MORSILLO GINGERICH, BORN OCTOBER 3, 1937,
FARRELL, PENNSYLVANIA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
James Callow Keyword(s): SEXISM
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- May CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- June CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Week Day Hour CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting After all |
Date learned: 09-00-1982
NEW YEAR'S DAY BELIEF
IT IS CONSIDERED BAD LUCK FOR A WOMAN TO ENTER YOUR HOUSE
BEFORE A MAN ON NEW YEAR'S DAY. THE FIRST PERSON ENTERING
YOUR HOUSE ON NEW YEAR'S MUST NOT BE A WOMAN OR YOU WILL
HAVE BAD LUCK FOR THE ENTIRE YEAR. THIS IS SOMETHING
THAT I HEARD AS A CHILD. WE DIDN'T TAKE IT SERIOUSLY BUT
I DO KNOW OF PEOPLE WHO WILL REFUSE A WOMAN ENTRANCE ON
NEW YEAR'S DAY UNTIL A MAN ENTERS FIRST.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SEXISM
Date learned: 09-00-1982
IF THE FIRST VISITOR ON NEW YEARS DAY IS A MAN YOU WILL HAVE
GOOD LUCK THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SEXISM
Date learned: 00001950S
ARGENTINIAN VALENTINES DAY
IN ARGENTINA WE DON'T HAVE AN OFFICIAL VALENTINES DAY LIKE IT
IS CELEBRATED IN THE UNITED STATES WITH THE EXCHANGE OF CARDS
AND CANDY. INSTEAD EL DIA DE LOS ENAMORADOS IS THE DAY THAT
REPLACES THE LOVERS DAY. IT IS SAID THAT ON THIS DAY THE WOMEN CAN
PROPOSE MARRIAGE TO THE MEN. MANY WOMEN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS
RIGHT ON FEBRUARY 14.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): INVERSION ; ROLE-REVERSAL ; SEXISM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- February 14 Valentine's Day CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Proposal |
Date learned: 00-00-1970
AN ESCAPE TO AMERICA
ONE OF MY DEAREST FRIENDS, NORA SHEPPARD IS 96 YEARS OLD, AND
EVERYONE CALLS HER GRANDMA SHEP. GRANDMA SHEP AS A SWEET
YOUNG COLLEEN EMIGRATING FROM ENGLAND TO THE BRIGHT LAND
OF OPPORTUNITY AND PROMISE, WAS VERY EXCITED TO BE COMING
TO THE UNITED STATES. AT ELLIS ISLAND THE OFFICIALS WERE
CHECKING CAREFULLY THE DOCUMENTS. NORA WAS ONLY SIXTEEN YEARS
OLD AND HAD NO RELATIVE TO SPONSOR HER. THE OFFICIAL SHOOK
HIS HEAD NO. THE FRANTIC YOUNG GIRL TURNED TO THE STOCKY
BOY WHO SHE HAD BECOME GOOD FRIENDS WITH AND SAID, "PLEASE
WOULD YOU MARRY ME?" WITHIN AN HOUR THE PRIEST HAD BLESSED
THE YOUNG COUPLE AND THEY WERE DULY WED. THEY SETTLED IN
THEIR NEW COUNTRY AND THE LESS THAN ROMANTIC BEGINNING
DEVELOPED INTO A MARRIAGE OF 63 YEARS, 7 CHILDREN, 35
GRANDCHILDREN AND 12 GREAT GRANDCHILDREN. IT WAS AND STILL
IS AN EXAMPLE OF LOVE TO ALL WHO KNOW THEM.
Submitter comment:
I THINK THAT THIS STORY GETS MORE DRAMATIC EVERY TIME IT IS
TOLD BUT IT IS STILL CUTE ANYWAYS. GRANDMA SHEP IS A
CHARACTER AND I WOULDN'T PUT IT PAST HER FEISTY DETERMINED
NATURE TO PROPOSE TO A MAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN
James Callow Keyword(s): INVERSION ; ROLE REVERSAL ; SEXISM
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Married couple CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Proposal |
Date learned: 00001900CA
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IF A GIRL HAS BEEN BAD TO HER PARENTS OR HAS TRIED TO HIT
THEM, HER HAND WILL COME OUT OF HER GRAVE UNTIL IT IS SLAPPED
DOWN.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS TOLD TO THE INFORMANT BY HER BOYFRIEND. HIS
GRANDMOTHER TOLD HIM THIS STORY WHEN HE WAS A LITTLE BOY.
SHE SAID THAT IT COULD ONLY HAPPEN TO GIRLS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): PUNISHMENT
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION ; JUSTICE ; SEXISM
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial SPEECH -- Gesture |
EVERY MONDAY MORNING, MY NEIGHBOR IN CLEVELAND SPRINKLED
SALT ON HER PORCH THEN SWEPT IT AWAY BECAUSE THIS WOULD
KEEP A WOMAN FROM ENTERING HER HOUSE BEFORE NOON.
Submitter comment:
SWEEPING IS STRONG "MEDICINE."
MAGIC
CURSE
Where learned: OHIO ; CLEVELAND
James Callow Keyword(s): SEXISM
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour |
Date learned: 00001950S
MY NEIGHBOR, MRS. PAYNE, BELIEVES IN NOT LETTING A WOMAN
ENTER HER HOME BEFORE NOON ON ANY DAY; SHE DOESN'T EVEN
SPRINKLE SALT LIKE MY OTHER NEIGHBOR DID. SHE THINKS A
WOMAN WHO COMES INTO HER HOME BEFORE THAT TIME WILL BRING
HER BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
MY INFORMANT THINKS MRS. PAYNE IS FOOLISH.
MY INFORMANT THINKS ALL SUPERSTITIONS ARE FOOLISH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SEXISM
Date learned: 10-29-1984
WHEN I FIRST CAME TO MICHIGAN, MY NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOR, MRS.
SHELLIE, WOULD ALWAYS CALL US THE FIRST THING ON NEW
YEAR'S DAY. SHE BELIEVED THAT A MAN SHOULD ENTER HER HOME
FIRST FOR GOOD LUCK. THEREFORE, SHE WOULD ALWAYS CALL AND
ASK YOUR FATHER TO VISIT THEM AT EIGHT O' CLOCK ON NEW
YEAR'S MORNING. THIS WAS HER BELIEF SO YOUR DADDY WOULD
GO OVER AND VISIT HER. HE WAS THE FIRST MAN, THE FIRST
MALE TO ENTER HER HOME ON NEW YEAR'S DAY. AFTER HE
ENTERED THE HOUSE, ANYONE ELSE WHO WANTED TO VISIT HER
COULD. IT'S JUST SOMETHING THAT WAS PASSED ON TO HER
FROM HER MOTHER AND GRANDMOTHER; TO THEM IT MEANT GOOD
LUCK THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
Submitter comment:
CALLING AND VISITING FRIENDS AND RELATIVES ARE COMMON ON
NEW YEAR'S DAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SEXISM
Date learned: 00001900s ; 09-28-1984
MY MOTHER'S MOTHER TOLD HER THAT TO BE MARRIED IN
A GOWN THAT HAD SEED PEARLS UPON IT TOLD OF HAVING
GIRL CHILDREN. SURE ENOUGH, MY PARENTS HAVE TWO
CHILDREN, BOTH ARE GIRLS!
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
James Callow Keyword(s): SEX DETERMINATION
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Marriage |
It is bad luck to name a boat after a boy instead of a girl.
Submitter comment:
Elinor's dance instructor was concerned that a friend of hers
would regret that she had named her boat after her son.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
Keyword(s): ship, christening, advice
James Callow Keyword(s): SEXISM
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Bad luck Activities SPEECH -- Proper Name |
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