Dr. James T. Callow publications
Browse by
Questions or comments on this site? Please email davidsor@udmercy.edu.
The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for FOOD CUSTOM returned 209 results.
CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
THIN WAFERS OF UNLEAVENED BREAD ARE DIVIDED BETWEEN THE GUESTS AT
A CHRISTMAS EVE GATHERING. THE PEOPLE WISH EACH OTHER
TRADITIONAL GREETINGS.
Submitter comment:
THE WAFER IS MEANT TO SYMBOLIZE THE EUCHARIST AND BASICALLY THE
COMING OF CHRIST.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share the same surname.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GARDEN CITY
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82 |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
POLISH-AMERICAN XMAS CUSTOM
ON CHRISTMAS EVE, POLISH-AMERICANS HAVE THE TRADITIONAL CUSTOM
OF BREAKING BREAD-LIKE WAFERS CALLED "OPLATKI" AND EACH PERSON
TAKES A PIECE OF THE WAFER AND GOES UP TO ANOTHER PERSON. AS ONE
PERSON WISHES THE OTHER GOOD HEALTH, HAPPINESS, AND GOOD LUCK,
THE PERSON DOING THE WISHING BREAKS OFF A PIECE OF THE OTHER'S
WAFER FOR EACH WISH THAT HE MAKES. EVERY
PERSON PRESENT ON CHRISTMAS EVE IN THE HOME MUST GO UP TO ALL
THE OTHERS PRESENT AND WISH THEM ALL WELL. THIS CUSTOM ARISES OUT
OF STRONG FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS AND EXPRESSES THE GOOD WILL THAT ONE
PERSON IN THE FAMILY HAS IN HIS HEART FOR ALL THE OTHER MEMBERS
OF THE FAMILY ON THE JOYOUS OCCASION OF CHRISTMAS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TROY
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82 |
Date learned: 10-03-1969
CUSTOM
I WAS INTRODUCED TO THE CUSTOM AS A CHILD,
THEREFORE I GIVE NO DEFINITE YEAR. AT A
TRADITIONAL DINNER ON CHRISTMAS EVE, THE HOSTESS
DISTRIBUTES THIN WAFERS. EVERYONE GOES TO
EVERYONE ELSE, WISHES THEM "MERRY CHRISTMAS
AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR", AND THEN TAKES PART OF THEIR
WAFER AND EATS IT.
Submitter comment:
Polish custom.
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 |
A CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
ON CHRISTMAS EVE, EACH MEMBER OF OUR
FAMILY HAS A WAFER OF BREAD. WE GO TO EACH
OTHER, TAKE A PIECE OF THE OTHER PERSON'S WAFER,
AND EAT IT. WE THEN WISH EACH OTHER GOOD
FORTUNE AND KISS. WE KEEP REPEATING THIS
UNTIL WE HAVE PERFORMED THIS CEREMONY
WITH EVERYONE IN THE FAMILY.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector are the same person.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82 |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR.
CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
IT IS THE CUSTOM OF THE POLISH AND SLOVAK PEOPLE TO BREAK OPIATKI [OPLATKI]
(CHRISTMAS WAFER) ON CHRISTMAS EVE AND TO WISH EACH OTHER WELL.
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
"WEGILIJA"
EVERY YEAR THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS AT SUPPER, A WAFER IS
BROKEN AND DISTRIBUTED. THE WAFER IS CALLED "OPLATEK." THE
DINNER STARTS AFTER THE FIRST STAR SHINES. YOU HAVE TO HAVE
AN ODD NUMBER OF PEOPLE AT THE TABLE WITH AN EMPTY SEAT.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT STILL HOLDS TO THIS CUSTOM AND GETS THE OPLATEK
FROM POLAND EVERY YEAR FOR THIS CUSTOM.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82 |
Date learned: 03-05-1972
ON CHRISTMAS EVE WE ALWAYS ATE OUR BIG MEAL BY
SUNDOWN. ON THE TABLE WE ALWAYS HAD A WAFER. ABOUT THE SIZE OF A
DINNER PLATE. FATHER WOULD BREAK THE WAFER, DIP A PIECE IN
HONEY AND GIVE EACH ONE OF US A PIECE TO EAT, BEFORE OUR MEAL
STARTED. AT THE END OF THE MEAL MOTHER WOULD GIVE EACH OF US A
CLOVE OF GARLIC DIPPED IN HONEY TO EAT. THIS WAS TO KEEP THE
SICKNESS AWAY FOR THE YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.4 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82 |
Date learned: 02-04-1972
WAFER
A WAFER SHOULD BE SHARED WITH EACH FRIEND THAT ATTENDS YOUR HOUSE
DURING CHRISTMAS EVE AND DAY.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share the same surname.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; ERIE
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82 |
Date learned: 00001920'S
IF YOU EAT NO BEANS ON CHRISTMAS DAY, YOU WILL BECOME AN ASS.
Submitter comment:
TOLD TO HER BY A NEGRO COOK WORKING FOR THEM DURING THE HOLIDAYS.
THE COOK'S MOTHER ALWAYS MADE EACH MEMBER EAT A HELPING OF BEANS ON
CHRISTMAS TO PRESERVE THEM FROM THIS FATE.
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Predictions CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Single dishes |
Date learned: 02-00-1968
WATER NOT DRUNK AT CHRISTMAS
IN UKRAINE, IT IS BELIEVED THAT IF YOU DRINK WATER DURING CHRISTMAS
SUPPER, THERE WILL BE A VERY HOT SUMMER, AND GREAT THIRST WHILE
WORKING IN THE FIELDS.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM RELATIVES IN UKRAINE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ABSTINENCE FROM WATER ; FOOD CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Predictions CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Single dishes |
Date learned: 11-19-1967
SWEDISH CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
IT IS A CUSTOM FOR THE SWEDISH AMERICANS TO HAVE THE
OLDEST DAUGHTER SERVE THE ELDERS AT THE CHRISTMAS MORNING BREAKFAST.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Christmas |
Date learned: 11-00-1968
CUSTOM
IT IS A POLISH CUSTOM THAT NINE DIFFERENT KINDS OF FOOD ARE
EATEN ON CHRISTMAS DAY. IT STANDS FOR THE NINE MONTHS OF THE YEAR.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: RESIDENCE
Keyword(s): CUSTOM ; FOOD CUSTOM ; holiday ; POLISH ; tradition
| Subject headings: | 122 Christmas 686 Ninths / Nine |
Date learned: NOT RECORDED
A CUSTOM OF THE POLISH IS TO HAVE ON THE TABLE FOR CHRISTMAS
DINNER 7 DIFFERENT KINDS OF FOOD.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; HOLDEN HALL ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CHRISTMAS ; Dinner ; FOOD CUSTOM ; holiday ; POLISH
| Subject headings: | 122 Christmas 686 Seven / Sevenths / Several |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
CHRISTMAS DINNER
CHRISTMAS DINNER IN DENMARK. THE MAIN DISH IS DUCK, USUALLY
WITH A SWEET, RICH SAUCE. BEFORE ANYTHING ELSE IS EATEN A
DISH CALLED RISENGROD, A RICE PUDDING, IS SERVED. IN THE PUDDING
IS ONE ALMOND. THE PERSON WHO GETS THE ALMOND GETS A SPECIAL
GIFT MADE FROM MARZIPAN.
Submitter comment:
(THE INFORMANT IS) DANISH.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Keyword(s): CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; Danish ; Denmark ; DUCK ; FOOD CUSTOM ; GIFTS ; holiday ; Marzipan ; tradition
| Subject headings: | 122 Christmas |
Date learned: NOT RECORDED
CUSTOM
AN (ON) CHRISTMAS EAT WINE SOUP AND POPPYSEED STEW.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT STATED HIM (HIS) MOTHER'S PARENTS' PARENTS, ETC.,
(DON'T KNOW BEGINNING) STARTED THE CUSTOM.
Data entry tech comment:
COLLECTOR'S PUNCTUATION CORRECTED BY KEYPUNCHER.
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LINCOLN PARK
Keyword(s): CHRISTMAS ; FOOD CUSTOM ; Poppyseed ; Wine
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.27 |
Date learned: 10-01-1970
CHRISTMAS BLESSING
DURING THE CHRISTMAS MEAL, IN POLAND, THE HEAD
OF THE HOUSE TOOK A RECTANGULAR PIECE OF BREAD, OF ABOUT THE
CONSISTENCY OF A HOST, BROKE IT AND GAVE A PIECE TO EACH
MEMBER OF THE FAMILY. EACH MEMBER THEN ATE PART OF HIS
PIECE OF BREAD AND GAVE A BLESSING TO THE REST OF THE FAMILY
THAT THEY WOULD HAVE A GOOD YEAR.
THIS BLESSING WAS ALSO A WAY OF FORGIVING ANY WRONG
DONE TO THEM DURING THE PAST YEAR AND BEGINNING ANEW.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82 |
Date learned: 00-00-1968
POLISH CUSTOM
THERE IS A POLISH CUSTOM WHERE THEY HAVE A CHRISTMAS WAFER AND FOR
EASTER A HARD BOILED EGG. ANYONE WHO TAKES A BITE OF YOUR EGG OR
WAFER WILL HAVE GOOD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM HER MOTHER AND IT IS PRACTICED IN THEIR HOME
STILL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting |
Date learned: 02-24-1970
LEAVEN BREAD
IT IS AN OLD POLISH CUSTOM TO SHARE WAFERS OF
LEAVEN BREAD ON CHRISTMAS DAY TO REPRESENT THE
MULTIPLICATION OF THE LOAVES BY CHRIST.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82 |
Date learned: 07-00-1964
CUSTOMS
POLISH CUSTOM OF BREAKING BREAD TOGETHER ON CHRISTMAS.
THIS BREAD IS A TYPE OF A WAFER.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share the same surname.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN HEIGHTS ; TOLD AT INFORMANT'S HOME
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82 |
Date learned: 02-24-1970
CHRISTMAS CUSTOM - FOOD
ON CHRISTMAS, THE ENTIRE FAMILY IS SERVED AN
UNLEAVENED PIECE OF BREAD WITH THE DINNER. ON IT
IS INSCRIBED A HOLY SCENE, GENERALLY THE NATIVITY.
EACH MEMBER BREAKS OFF A PIECE AND SHARES IT
WITH ANOTHER. THE FINAL PIECE IS THEN CONSUMED
BY THE ORIGINAL PERSON.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82 |
Date learned: 01-17-1968