Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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NEW YEAR'S CUSTOMS AND CELEBRATIONS
SEVERAL DAYS BEFORE THE NEW YEAR THE CHINESE WILL
PREPARE A PASTRY. THIS IS PREPARED BY THE METHOD OF
STEMMING. IF CHILDREN ASK IF THE PASTRY IS DONE
BEFORE IT IS FULLY COOKED, THE PEOPLE BELIEVE
THAT THE PASTRY WILL NEVER BE FULLY COOKED.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LEARNED THIS IN TAIWAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; 4001 W MCNICHOLS ; LANGUAGE DEPARTMENT
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM ; SPEECH TABU ; STEAMING FOOD
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Winter Food Drink -- Pastry Sweet Dessert |
Date learned: 02-02-1971
SUPERSTITION
AT 12 MIDNIGHT, NEW YEAR'S EVE, YOU MUST IMMEDIATELY
OPEN YOUR FRONT DOOR TO LET THE OLD YEAR OUT AND
WELCOME THE NEW YEAR IN.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM HER MOTHER.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; YONKERS
Keyword(s): SYMBOLIC ACTION
Date learned: 12-31-1963
NEW YEAR'S DAY CUSTOM
GO OUT THE BACK DOOR TO LET OUT THE OLD YEAR AND IN THE FRONT
DOOR TO LET IN THE NEW YEAR.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
Keyword(s): SYMBOLIC ACTION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Fixed DateFor specific dates, use the following system: F640.1231 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 |
Date learned: 04-00-1972
New Year's Custom
AT THE STROKE OF MIDNIGHT ON NEW YEAR'S EVE IT IS A CUSTOM TO OPEN ALL THE WINDOWS AND LET THE NEW YEAR COME IN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): SYMBOLIC ACTION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Fixed DateFor specific dates, use the following system: F640.1231 |
Date learned: 09-00-1969
NEW YEAR'S CUSTOM
FOR THE LAST FIVE MINUTES OF THE OLD YEAR, AND THE FIRST FIVE MINUTES
OF THE NEW YEAR, IT IS NECESSARY TO SWEEP ONE'S HOUSE FROM BACK
TO FRONT. YOU SWEEP THE HOUSE TO "SWEEP OUT" TROUBLE AND SICKNESS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD ; collector's home
Keyword(s): BROOM ; SYMBOLIC ACTION
Date learned: 10-25-1970
NEW YEAR'S DAY
ON NEW YEAR'S EAT GOURMET FOOD.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT'S FAMILY ALWAYS EATS FRENCH FOODS ON NEW YEAR'S BECAUSE
THEY FEEL THAT IF THEY EAT WELL ON NEW YEAR'S THEN THEY WILL EAT
WELL ALL THROUGH THE YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS ; informant's home
Keyword(s): BLASON POPULAIRE ; FOOD PREDICTION ; FRENCH FOOD
Date learned: 03-05-1971
NEW YEAR'S CUSTOM
WASHING WITH A PIECE OF SILVER
SO THE NEW YEAR WILL BE PROSPEROUS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; informant's home
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; CONTAGIOUS MAGIC ; HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC
Date learned: 10-22-1968
CUSTOM-FIRST FOOTING
THE FIRST PERSON TO STEP FOOT IN YOUR HOUSE AFTER THE NEW YEAR
CANNOT DO SO EMPTY-HANDED. IF THEY DO IT MEANS THAT YOU AND YOUR
FAMILY WILL HAVE A LEAN YEAR. IF THEY BRING A GIFT, THEN YOU AND
YOUR FAMILY WILL HAVE A FAT YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC ; SYMBOLIC ACTION
Date learned: 09-26-1965
POLISH CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
THE DINNER CONSISTS OF THIRTEEN COURSES, ALL OF WHICH ARE MEATLESS.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
James Callow comment:
Christmas Day?
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; STUDENT UNION BUILDING
Keyword(s): ABSTINENCE FROM MEAT ; CHRISTMAS ; Course ; CUSTOM ; Dinner ; FOOD CUSTOM ; holiday ; Ingredients ; Meal ; Vegetarian
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Menus |
Date learned: 11-25-1969
CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION IN LITHUANIA IS VERY ELABORATE. ON CHRISTMAS
EVE, THE TABLE IS SET WITH A WHITE TABLECLOTH, 12 KINDS OF PREPARED
FISH AND IN THE CENTER--A HANDFUL OF STRAW UNDER THE TABLECLOTH, AND
DIRECTLY ON THAT, "PLOTKELES". "PLOTKELES" IS SIMILAR TO COMMUNION,
ONLY SQUARE, A PIECE OF SIZEABLE SIZE (MOSTLY 6 BY 4 INCHES). IN
LITHUANIAN, IT IS CALLED "KRISTAUS LAISKAS"--CHRIST'S LETTER. IT IS
A LETTER ANNOUNCING HIS BIRTH AND THAT HE WILL SAVE US.
WHEN EVERYONE IS SEATED, THEY SAY A PRAYER AND THEN, THE FATHER TAKES
ONE OF THE "LETTERS", HANDS IT TO THE MOTHER WHO BREAKS OFF A PIECE,
THEN TO THE NEXT OLDEST, ETC...SO ON DOWN THE LINE. THEN THE MOTHER
LETS EVERYONE BREAK OFF A PIECE FROM HER PIECE AND SO ON...
AFTER THE PASSING AROUND OF THE LETTER, THE EATING STARTS. THIS IS
THE ONE TIME THAT WE ARE NOT ALLOWED, BY LITHUANIAN CUSTOM, TO EAT
MEAT. WE PREPARE FISH 12 DIFFERENT WAYS: SMOKED HERRING, PICKLED
HERRING, WHITE FISH, OR ANY OTHER KINDS OF FISH. FISH AND VEGETABLES,
AS MUCH AS WE WANT--FOR DURING THE DAY WE ARE NOT SUPPOSED
TO EAT ANYTHING AT ALL. THERE ARE TO BE 12 VARIATIONS OF EACH FOOD:
12 FISH, 12 VEGETABLES, 12 FRUIT, 12 CAKES.
AFTER THE FISH AND VEGETABLES, THEN STARTS THE FRUITS AND SWEETS.
MOST OF THE CAKES ARE HOME BAKED, THE FRUITS MADE INTO A PUNCH OR A
FRUIT-BOWL.
TO FINISH OFF THE MEAL, THERE ARE THE TRADITIONAL "SLIZIKAI"--TASTE
JUST LIKE BREAD STICKS, ONLY THEY'RE SMALL AND ROUND. YOU PUT THEM
IN SWEET MILK (IN AMERICA--DILUTED PET MILK) AND THAT IS HOW YOU EAT
THEM.
AFTER DINNER, THERE ARE THE PRESENTS OPENING AND AFTER THAT, TIME TO
GO TO CHURCH.
WHEN YOU FIRST WALK INTO THE CHURCH, EVERYTHING IS TOTALLY DARK.
BUT AT EXACTLY MIDNIGHT--ALL THE CANDLES ARE LIT, THE CHIMES AND BELLS
START RINGING, AND THE CONGREGATION BEGINS TO SING. THERE IS A
PROCESSION AROUND THE CHURCH 3 TIMES; THEN THE PROCESSION OF THE
PRIEST, ALTAR BOYS AND GIRLS (THROW FLOWER PETALS IN FRONT OF THE
PRIEST) STOP IN FRONT OF THE CHURCH'S CRIB AND BEGIN TO PRAY. HE
PRAYS FOR THE POPE, THE PRIESTS AND NUNS, FOR THE PEOPLE , AND FOR
THE LITHUANIAN NATION (IN AMERICA, SO THAT THEIR FREEDOM WILL BE
RESTORED) (IN LITHUANIA AT THE PRESENT, THEY ARE UNABLE TO CELEBRATE
IN CHURCH). THEN HE BLESSES THE CONGREGATION WITH HOLY WATER AND THE
MASS BEGINS.
CHRISTMAS DAY IS USUALLY THE VISITING DAY OF FRIENDS AND RELATIVES.
WHEN THE PEOPLE USED TO VISIT, THEY ALWAYS BROUGHT SOMETHING ALONG,
EITHER SOME CAKES, OR CANDY OR A BOTTLE OF WINE AND A LOAF OF BREAD.
IT WAS CONSIDERED A DISGRACE TO GO VISITING AND NOT BRING SOMETHING.
THE CELEBRATING USUALLY LASTED FOR 3 DAYS, BUT NOW--FOR ONLY 1 OR 2
DAYS.
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED
Keyword(s): ABSTINENCE FROM MEAT ; FOOD CUSTOM
Date learned: 03-25-1972
IRISH CHRISTMAS PRACTICE
THE CHRIST CHILD WANDERS AROUND ON CHRISTMAS EVE IN THE FORM OF A
POOR PERSON. THE HOMES HAVE A LIGHT IN THE WINDOW, FOOD ON THE TABLE
AND THE DOOR UNLOCKED, TO WELCOME THE ARRIVAL OF CHRIST.
Where learned: MARYGROVE COLLEGE
Keyword(s): BELIEF
Date learned: 00001968 FALL
TALKING ANIMALS
IF YOU GO INTO THE BARN ON CHRISTMAS EVE YOU WILL FIND THAT THE
ANIMALS CAN TALK, BUT IT WOULD HAVE TO BE AT MIDNIGHT.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS A STORY THAT THE INFORMANT WOULD ALWAYS TELL ON CHRISTMAS
EVE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CALUMET
Keyword(s): BELIEF
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Beliefs |
EVERY CHRISTMAS EVE , AT EXACTLY 12 PM, THE ANIMALS OF THE WORLD TALK
TO EACH OTHER IN REMEMBRANCE OF THE BIRTH OF CHRIST.
Where learned: OHIO ; NORTH OLMSTED
Keyword(s): BELIEF
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Beliefs |
MAMMAL
ONLY ON CHRISTMAS EVE, IT'S BELIEVED THAT THE CATTLE TALK AMONG
THEMSELVES. THEY TLAK OF THE DAY, DURING THE NEW YEAR, WHEN THEY
WILL CART THE CASKET OF ONE OF THE HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS TO THE CEMETARY.
Submitter comment:
OUR FATHER HEARD THIS FROM HIS MOTHER DURING THE EARLY 1900'S. IT
WAS CONSIDERED TO BE AN OLD SAYING EVEN THEN. DURING THE 1800'S ONE
MAN DID DIE AND HIS CATTLE TOWED HIS BODY TO THE CEMETARY (THIS
COULD HAVE BEEN THE ORIGIN OF THIS SAYING).
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT HOME
Keyword(s): BELIEF
| Subject headings: | Observation CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Beliefs |
Date learned: 11-14-1971
ON CHRISTMAS EVE THE BRIGHT STAR TO THE NORTH IS SHINING OVER THE
STABLE AT BETHLEHEM.
Where learned: OHIO ; NORTH OLMSTED, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.4 |
Date learned: NOT RECORDED BY THE COLLECTOR
CHRISTMAS
UKRAINIANS SIT DOWN TO THE CHRISTMAS EVE SUPPER ONLY AFTER THE FIRST
STAR COMES OUT, IN REMEMBRANCE OF THE STAR WHICH LED THE THREE WISE
MEN TO BETHLEHEM.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector are the same person.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Keyword(s): BIBLE ; METEOROLOGY
| Subject headings: | 686 686.1 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Christmas |
Date learned: 10-00-1970
CUSTOM-UKRAINIAN
THERE IS NO MEAT EATEN ON CHRISTMAS EVE, BUT A SPECIAL
12 COURSE DINNER IS SERVED ON CHRISTMAS DAY.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ABSTINENCE FROM MEAT ; CHRISTMAS ; FOOD ; FOOD CUSTOM ; tradition ; UKRAINIAN
| Subject headings: | 122 Christmas 122 Christmas |
Date learned: 10-31-1968
CHRISTMAS IS A BELOVED HOLIDAY FOR POLISH PEOPLE. BEGINNING AT
SUNDOWN THE FAMILY SITS DOWN TO THE EVENING MEAL. THIS MEAL IS
MEATLESS AND CONSISTS OF NINE COURSES. WHEN THE FIRST EVENING
STAR APPEARS THE MEAL BEGINS. STRAW IS PLACED UNDERNEATH
A WHITE TABLECLOTH TO SIGNIFY CHRIST'S BIRTH IN A MANGER. A
CHRISTMAS WAFER CALLED "OPLATEK" IS SHARED WITH EACH MEMBER
OF THE FAMILY BEGINNING WITH THE FATHER. GOOD HEALTH, GOD'S
BLESSINGS AND JOY IS EXTENDED TO ALL. THIS COMPLETED, THE MEAL
BEGINS. THE SOUP IS CREAMED MUSHROOM. FOLLOWING WE HAVE PIEROGI
(DUMPLINGS) WITH CABBAGE OR POTATO AND CHEESE. WE ALSO HAVE A
VARIETY OF FISH. COLD HERRING, FISH IN GELATIN (GALARECIE),
BAKED FISH, RYE BREAD AND SAUR KRAUT (SAUERKRAUT) PREPARED WITH
MUSHROOMS. COFFEE AND BABKA FOR DESERT. AFTER THE PEOPLE RETURN
FROM MIDNIGHT MASS THEY BRING OUT THE BAKED HAM AND HOMEMADE
KIELBASA WHICH EVERY GOOD POLACK MAKES HIMSELF AND THEY EAT, DRINK
AND MAKE MERRY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
Keyword(s): ABSTINENCE FROM MEAT ; FOOD CUSTOM
Date learned: 11-10-1971
BREAKFAST BEFORE CHRISTMAS
THE FIRST MEAL ON THE DAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS THE POLISH PEOPLE
HAD ONLY A GLASS OF JUICE AND A PIECE OF BREAD. THEY DID THIS
AS THE LAST DAY OF THEIR FASTING BEFORE CHRISTMAS IN THE
SEASON OF ADVENT. IT WAS ALSO A MEANS OF SAVING FOR THE COMING
FEAST IN CELEBRATION OF THE ARRIVAL OF CHRIST.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: DETROIT
Keyword(s): ABSTINENCE ; CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; FOOD ; holiday
| Subject headings: | 122 Christmas |
Date learned: 00-00-1968
UKRAINIAN CUSTOM
CHRISTMAS EVE IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN CHRISTMAS. A SPECIAL DINNER
WOULD TAKE PLACE ON CHRISTMAS EVE CONSISTING OF SPECIAL FOODS
LIKE PANCAKES, MUCHROOMS (MUSHROOMS), POPPY SEEDS AND OTHER
REGIONAL FOODS. ONE CANDLE WAS LIT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TABLE.
THERE WAS NO MEAT OF ANY FORM SERVED ON THIS DAY.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT IS AN UKRAINIAN-AMERICAN WHO PRACTICED THIS CUSTOM
DURING HER CHILDHOOD.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; PONTIAC
Keyword(s): ABSTINENCE FROM MEAT ; CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; FOOD ; holiday ; Ukraine ; Vegetarian
| Subject headings: | 122 Christmas 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Lights and candles |
Date learned: 10-02-1971