Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for FOOD CUSTOM returned 209 results.
SLICE OF BREAD
AT THE BEGINNING OF A POLISH, CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER, EVERYONE
IS GIVEN ONE PIECE OF BREAD. THIS ONE SLICE MUST LAST THEM
FOR THE ENTIRE MEAL.
IT IS BAD LUCK TO CONSUME THE BREAD BEFORE THE MEAL HAS BEEN
COMPLETED; YOU WILL GO HUNGARY (HUNGRY) OR NOT FULFILL SOME
DESIRE DURING THE COMING YEAR.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ETHNIC ; FOOD CUSTOM ; holiday ; LUCK ; POLISH ; tradition
| Subject headings: | 122 Christmas 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.2 |
Date learned: 11-00-1968
Oplatek
A WAFER-THIN POLISH BREAD WHICH IS EXCHANGED AMONG
FAMILY AND FRIENDS AT CHRISTMAS TIME. THIS BREAD IS BROKEN AT
THE CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER AND IF FRIENDS AND FAMILY ARE PRESENT,
THE PIECE OF OPLATEK IS BROKEN INTO TWO PARTS AND EACH PERSON
THEN EXCHANGES PIECES WITH ANOTHER. AFTER EACH HAS EATEN OF
THE OTHER'S BREAD THE KISS OF PEACE IS EXCHANGED.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT REMEMBERS THE CUSTOM FROM HER CHILDHOOD IN MANITOBA,
CANADA IN THE EARLY 1900'S WHEN HER RELATIVES IN POLAND WOULD SEND
THE BREAD TO CANADA AND HER FAMILY WOULD IN TURN MAIL OPLATEK
TO POLAND. SAYS THE CUSTOM STILL IS OBSERVED IN POLISH CHURCHES
AT CHRISTMAS TIME (E G., OUR LADY, QUEEN OF APOSTLES IN EAST
DETROIT, 1963)
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82 |
Date learned: 01-08-1964
POLISH GOOD LUCK SYMBOL OF OPLATET [OPLATEK]
BREAKING OF UNLEAVENED BREAD BETWEEN
PEOPLE AT CHRISTMAS EVE MEAL TO
SIGNIFY GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): BREAD ; FOOD CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82 |
Date learned: 11-10-1968
OPTATKE (CHRISTMAS WAFER) [OPLATKI]
A POLISH CHRISTMAS TRADITION. ON THE VIGIL OF CHRISTMAS AT DINNER
THAT EVENING, THE HEAD OF THE HOUSEHOLD DISTRIBUTES BREAD-LIKE WAFERS
(OPTATKE) [OPLATKI], MADE BY SISTERS OF THE CHURCH. THEY ARE MADE LIKE THE
COMMUNION WAFER, AND BLESSED BY THE PRIEST. EACH MEMBER OF THE
FAMILY RECEIVES ONE, AND THE HEAD OF THE HOUSEHOLD SAYS A PRAYER
AND ASKS FOR GOD'S BLESSING. HE BREAKS HIS WAFER WITH EACH MEMBER,
AND THEY IN TURN BREAK IT WITH EACH MEMBER OF THE FAMILY.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share same surname.
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Church |
Date learned: 09-30-1968
CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
POLISH CHRISTMAS CUSTOM - OPWATKI [OPLATKI].
THE FATHER WOULD BREAK BREAD WITH
THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY AT THE
CHRISTMAS EVE MEAL. THE FATHER WOULD
BREAK IT WITH ONE PERSON AND THAT
PERSON WOULD BREAK IT WITH ANOTHER
AND SO ON.
Submitter comment:
HEARD ABOUT IT FROM HER KINDERGARTEN TEACHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82 |
Date learned: 10-15-1967
A WISH FOR GOOD FORTUNE
EVERY CHRISTMAS EVE OUR WHOLE FAMILY GETS TOGETHER
FOR A LARGE CHRISTMAS MEAL. BEFORE THE
MEAL BEGINS A LARGE PIECE OF BLESSED ANGEL
BREAD IS BROKEN IN PIECES. EACH MEMBER OF THE
FAMILY HAS HIS OWN PIECE. HE GOES AROUND FROM
PERSON TO PERSON AND OFFERS THE BREAD TO EACH
ONE. THEY IN TURN BREAK OFF A PIECE OF THE
BREAD, MAKE A WISH OF GOOD FORTUNE (WEALTH,
HEALTH, ETC.) TO THE PERSON OFFERING, AND THEN
EAT IT.
Submitter comment:
KNOWN FROM TRADITION.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector are the same person.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82 |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR.
BREAKING BREAD
IT IS A POLISH CUSTOM TO ALL GATHER THE
WHOLE FAMILY ON CHRISTMAS EVE, AND HAVE
UNLEAVENED BREAD, CALLED OPLATEK, A WAFER.
THE WHOLE FAMILY EACH HAS A PIECE AND THEY
GO AROUND TO EVERY OTHER MEMBER, BREAK OFF A
PIECE AND EXCHANGE IT, WISHING THEM A MERRY CHRISTMAS.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share same surname.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT INFORMANT'S HOME
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82 |
Date learned: 03-12-1970
CHRISTMAS
EACH PERSON, BEFORE DINNER ON CHRISTMAS EVE, RECEIVES A
PIECE OF WHITE WAFER (ANGEL BREAD). EACH PERSON GOES TO
EVERY OTHER PERSON AND MAKES WISHES FOR HIM FOR
THE NEXT YEAR. WITH EACH WISH THE WISHER MAKES FOR
HIS PARTNER, HE BREAKS A TINY PIECE OF WAFER OFF. WHEN
HE IS FINISHED WISHING, THE WISHER EATS THE BITS
OF WAFER HE HAS BROKEN OFF. THE RECEIVER OF THE WISHES
THEN WISHES THE 1ST PERSON IN A SIMILAR WAY.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share same surname.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT COLLECTOR'S HOME
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82 |
Date learned: 03-10-1970
CHRISTMAS EVE CUSTOM
ON CHRISTMAS EVE, USUALLY BEFORE THE EVENING MEAL, THE
OLDEST MEMBER OF THE FAMILY BREAKS UNLEAVENED BREAD
AND WISHES GOOD LUCK AND GOOD HEALTH TO EACH MEMBER
OF THE FAMILY. HE USUALLY STARTS WITH THE OLDEST MEMBER AND
CONTINUES DOWN THE LINE TO THE YOUNGEST.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share the same surname.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; GLENVIEW ; TOLD AT INFORMANT'S HOME
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82 |
Date learned: 11-29-1970
CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
OPLATEK IS A CUSTOM PRACTICED BY POLISH-AMERICANS.
A THIN WAFER OF UNLEAVENED BREAD (LIKE A EUCHARISTIC
HOST) IS DIVIDED AMONG THE FAMILY PRESENT ON CHRISTMAS
EVE AND THE INDIVIDUALS SHARE THEIR PIECE WITH EACH OTHER
WISHING ONE ANOTHER GOOD LUCK FOR THE COMING YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD ; TOLD AT COLLECTOR'S HOME
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82 |
Date learned: 10-25-1970
CHRISTMAS
DURING THE CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER THE "OPLATKE" IS PASSED TO ALL THE
PEOPLE AT THE TABLE. THIS IS A HOST LIKE BREAD IMPRINTED WITH
THE SCENE OF THE LAST SUPPER. WHEN THIS BREAD IS PASSED FROM ONE
PERSON TO ANOTHER EACH PERSON WISHES HEALTH AND HAPPINESS TO THE
RECIPIENT. THIS IS A POLISH CUSTOM.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant is collector's mother.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT INFORMANT'S HOME
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82 |
Date learned: 03-19-1970
OPLATEK - ANGEL BREAD
ON CHRISTMAS EVE, ANGEL BREAD IS BROKEN AND
DIVIDED AMONG MEMBERS OF A FAMILY
TO SYMBOLIZE FELLOWSHIP, GOOD WISHES, AND
CHRISTIAN UNITY.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector are the same person.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 4598 E. OUTER DRIVE
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82 |
Date learned: 01-30-1968
CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
AT DINNER ON CHRISTMAS EVE, EVERYONE IN THE INFORMANT'S
FAMILY SHARES A PIECE OF ANGELS' BREAD (UNLEAVENED WAFER) WITH
SOMEONE ELSE AT THE TABLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82 |
Date learned: 01-00-1968
CHRISTMAS EVE CUSTOM
POLISH FAMILIES BREAK AND SHARE
A CHRISTMAS WAFER AMONG THE
RELATIVES.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share same surname.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82 |
Date learned: 11-00-1965
CHRISTMAS EVE BREAD
OPLATKI-(O PWAT'KEY) - IS UNLEAVE[NE]D BREAD WHICH NUNS MAKE IN
POLAND FOR CHRISTMAS EVE. IT HAS A NATIVITY IMPRINT ON IT. THE
HEAD OF THE HOUSEHOLD AND HIS MATE BREAK ONE PIECE INTO TWO HALVES,
THE CHILDREN THEN WISH EACH OTHER HEALTH, WEALTH, ETC. SOME OF
THESE PEOPLE SET A PLACE FOR STRANGERS.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LEARNED FROM PARENTS.
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM ; UNLEAVENED BREAD
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82 |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR.
CHRISTMAS EVE CUSTOM
IN OUR FAMILY, EVERY CHRISTMAS EVE BEFORE THE MAIN
MEAL, THE HEAD OF THE FAMILY TAKES A SMALL PIECE OF
WAFER BREAD, SIMILAR TO THE HOLY COMMUNION HOST AND
BREAKS A PIECE WITH EACH MEMBER OF THE FAMILY, WHO
IN TURN BREAK BREAD WITH EACH OTHER. THIS IS DONE
TO SYMBOLIZE THE SIMPLE GIVING OF GIFTS AT CHRISTMAS.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share same surname.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM ; RELIGIOUS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82 |
Date learned: 03-31-1972
CHRISTMAS EVE CUSTOM
ON CHRISTMAS EVE AT SUPPER WE TAKE BLESSED WAFERS (IN
LITHUANIAN THEY ARE CALLED "PLACALUE") AND DISTRIBUTE THEM
TO EVERYONE PRESENT. EACH PERSON BREAKS A PIECE OFF HIS OWN
AND THEN ALL OF THEM ARE PASSED AROUND, WITH EACH PERSON TAKING
A PIECE. WHILE THIS IS GOING ON, WE WISH EACH OTHER A MERRY
CHRISTMAS.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM ; FOOD CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82 |
Date learned: EARLY 00001950'S
CHRISTMAS EVE
AFTER THE CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER, BREAD RESEMBLING
THE HOLY HOST WOULD BE SHARED
BY THE FAMILY. THE BREAD WOULD BE PASSED
FROM THE ELDEST, TO THE YOUNGEST, EACH
BREAKING OFF A PIECE AND EATING IT.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAID THIS TRADITION WAS FOLLOWED
EVERY CHRISTMAS EVE, WHEN HE WAS A YOUNG BOY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82 |
Date learned: 02-20-1972
CHRISTMAS EVE CUSTOM
A TRADITIONAL POLISH CHRISTMAS EVE CUSTOM IS THE SHARING OF A BLESSED
WAFER CALLED OPLATKI. EACH MEMBER OF THE FAMILY BREAKS OFF AND
EATS A PIECE OF THE WAFER WHICH IS DISTRIBUTED USUALLY BY THE
GRANDMOTHER OR THE HEAD OF THE FAMILY. THE WAFER IS SIMILAR TO THE
COMMUNION WAFER. CHRISTMAS GREETINGS AND BEST WISHES ARE OFFERED
AS THE WAFER IS RECEIVED. THIS PARTICULAR PRACTICE FOLLOWS A FAMILY
MEAL OF ALL POLISH FOODS.
Submitter comment:
THIS CUSTOM IS STILL BEING FOLLOWED AT MY HOUSE ON CHRISTMAS EVE.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector are the same person.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; POUGHKEEPSIE
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82 |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR.
CUSTOM
IT IS A POLISH CUSTOM TO BREAK OPLATEK (BREAD)
ON CHRISTMAS EVE. WHEN THOSE PRESENT EXCHANGE
BREAD THEY EXCHANGE A GREETING.
Where learned: informant's residence
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Greetings, wishes, prayers, cards |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR.