Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for ABSTINENCE returned 33 results.
CHRISTMAS CUSTOM (POLISH)
ON CHRISTMAS EVE THE FAMILY SITS DOWN AT THE TABLE AND EATS A MEAL
THAT DOES NOT CONSIST OF MEAT. THEY FAST ON THIS NIGHT. BEFORE
THEY EAT THEY ALL BREAK A BLESSED WAFER AND WISH GOOD FORTUNE
TO EVERYONE.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; DEARBORN HEIGHTS, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): ABSTINENCE FROM MEAT ; CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; FOOD ; holiday
| Subject headings: | 122 Christmas CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82 |
Date learned: 11-12-1968
CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
AMONG THE POLISH, A WIGILIA (VIGIL) FEAST IS ALWAYS KEPT ON
CHRISTMAS EVE. THE WHOLE FAMILY FASTS FOR THE ENTIRE DAY, AND
A LARGE RITUAL DINNER CLIMAXES THE PREPARATION FOR CHRISTMAS.
SEVEN ITEMS MUST BE INCLUDED IN THE MEAL:
1) LONG WAFER-LIKE PIECES OF BREAD, WHICH RESEMBLE THE HOST
USED IN MASS (THIS IS CALLED OPLOTKI). THE OLDEST PERSON IN
THE FAMILY TAKES A PIECE OF THIS, AND THEN PASSES IT AROUND THE
TABLE. THESE ARE USUALLY DECORATED IN BRIGHT COLORS, AND SCENES
OF THE NATIVITY ARE DEPICTED. THEN
(2) GARLIC IS SERVED IN SMALL SECTIONS, FOLLOWED BY
(3) BARSZCZ OR POTATO SOUP WITH VINEGAR.
(4) FISH IS THE MAIN COURSE, SINCE MEAT MAY NOT BE EATEN ON
CHRISTMAS EVE.
(5) PIEROGI, OR FRIED DUMPLING WITH STUFFING, ARE SERVED NEXT,
FOLLOWED BY
(6) MASHED POTATOES AND
(7) SWEET BREAD.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ABSTINENCE FROM MEAT ; CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; FOOD ; holiday ; Vegetarian
| Subject headings: | 122 Christmas 686 Seven / Sevenths / Several CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82 |
Date learned: 10-15-1971
AMONG THE UKRAINIANS, THE DAY OF THE CHRISTMAS EVE IS A STRICT FAST
IN COMMEMORATION OF THE HARDSHIPS ENDURED BY MOTHER MARY ENROUTE TO
BETHLEHEM.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Keyword(s): ABSTINENCE FROM FOOD ; CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOMS ; FOOD ; holiday
| Subject headings: | 122 Christmas |
Date learned: 10-00-1970
LITHUANIAN CHRISTMAS EVE
IT IS CUSTOMARY FOR LITHUANIANS TO FAST ALL DAY ON CHRISTMAS EVE.
THEIR MEAL, OR SHOULD I SAY FEAST, TAKES PLACE AT MIDNIGHT IN THE
FORM OF A TWELVE COURSE MEAL. DURING THIS MEAL, HAY IS PUT UNDER THE
TABLE CLOTH IN A SYMBOLIC GESTURE.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): ABSTINENCE FROM FOOD ; CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; Fast ; FOOD ; holiday
| Subject headings: | 122 Christmas CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Christmas CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Straw |
Date learned: 10-05-1967
POLISH CHRISTMAS CUSTOMS
CHRISTMAS IS A BELOVED HOLIDAY FOR THE 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
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 POLAK MAKES HIMSELF AND THEY EAT,
DRINK AND MAKE MERRY.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share the same surname.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; informant's home ; 25940 MADISON CT, S. ; St. Clair Shores
Keyword(s): ABSTINENCE FROM MEAT ; FOOD CUSTOM
Date learned: 11-01-1971
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
KITTENS' PAWS
THIS MEATLESS DISH IS TRADITIONALLY SERVED ON CHRISTMAS EVE
WHICH IN THE PAST WAS A DAY OF TOTAL ABSTINANCE (ABSTINENCE).
A FILLING OF CHEESE, CHOPPED SPINACH AND SPICES IS ROLLED IN SQUARES
OF PASTRY. THE ENDS OF THESE ROLLS ARE PINCHED CLOSE IN SUCH A
FASHION AS TO RESEMBLE KITTENS' PAWS. THEY ARE THEN COOKED
IN A TOMATO SAUCE AND SERVED.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: DETROIT, ASSUMED ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): ABSTINENCE FROM MEAT ; CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; FOOD ; holiday ; Vegetarian
| Subject headings: | 122 Christmas |
Date learned: NOT RECORDED
WE CELEBRATE A HOLIDAY IN GERMANY CALLED "FAST NACH." IT IS LIKE
HALLOWEEN ONLY IS IS CELEBRATED IN FEBRUARY. ALL THE CHILDREN
AND ADULTS DRESS UP IN COSTUMES AND HAVE A PARADE TO CHASE AWAY
THE GHOSTS. WE CAN NOT EAT MEAT ON THIS DAY, SO WE EAT DONUTS
INSTEAD. THIS IS DONE IN MOST SMALL TOWNS IN GERMANY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): ABSTINENCE ; CARNIVAL ; FASTNACHT
Date learned: 02-00-1982
Ethnic: Polish
A POLISH, CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER CALLS FOR EACH SERVING TO BE
SERVED SEPARATELY. THE NEXT SERVING IS NOT BROUGHT ON UNTIL THE
PREVIOUS ONE HAS BEEN CONSUMED BY ALL THAT WANT IT. GENERALLY,
THE SERVINGS ARE OF VEGETABLES. THERE IS NO MEAT EATEN. NOTHING
IS DRANK DURING THE MEAL.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated 02-23-2011 / TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ABSTINENCE ; CHRISTMAS ; Course ; CUSTOM ; Dinner ; DRINK ; ETHNIC ; Feast ; FOOD ; holiday ; meat ; POLISH ; Serve ; tradition
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Christmas |
Date learned: 11-00-1968
CHRISTMAS
THE SUPPER ON CHRISTMAS EVE ALWAYS STRICTLY EXCLUDES ALL MEAT
AND DAIRY PRODUCTS.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LEARNED THIS PASSED ALONG FROM GENERATIONS.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ABSTINENCE FROM DAIRY PRODUCTS ; ABSTINENCE FROM MEAT ; CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; FOOD ; holiday ; Vegan ; Vegetarian
| Subject headings: | 122 Christmas |
Date learned: 11-19-1967
CHRISTMAS CUSTOM-HOLY SUPPER
SOME UKRANIANS (UKRAINIANS) ON CHRISTMAS EVE (DEC. 24) EAT NO FOOD
UNTIL THE HOLY SUPPER. THE HOLY SUPPER CONSISTS OF A TWELVE COURSE
DINNER (TWELVE APOSTLES) WITH NO MEAT AND DAIRY PRODUCTS. CLOVES
OF GARLIC ARE ON EACH PLATE, THIS IS TO KEEP AWAY ILLNESS. THE
FIRST DISH IS A WHOLE GRAIN WITH HONEY AND POPPY SEEDS. ALL
TWELVE DISHES MUST BE TASTED AT LEAST.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT'S FRIEND SMENA RAKOVSKEY PRACTICED THIS CUSTOM.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ABSTINENCE FROM DAIRY PRODUCTS ; ABSTINENCE FROM MEAT ; CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; FOOD ; holiday ; Vegetarian
| Subject headings: | 122 Christmas 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. 686 Seconds / Twice / Two |
Date learned: 10-25-1971
Holiday Tradition
We have a family tradition. Christmas Eve dinner is the same each year. There is no meat served at that meal, going back to the Catholic observance of Christmas Eve as a day of abstinence. THe foods served are spaghetti with anchovi sauce, Baccala ( Cod fish with almonds and spices), fillet of sole, fried shrimp.
Data entry tech comment:
Input by TRD
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; SPRINGFIELD
Keyword(s): ABSTINENCE ; Catholic ; Dinner ; ETHNIC ; FISH ; FOOD ; holiday ; Italian ; meat ; RELIGION ; tradition
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals |
HOLIDAY MEAL
VOGELIA--IN A SPECIAL FAMILY DINNER ON CHRISTMAS OR EASTER, AN
ODD NUMBER OF COURSES ARE SERVED (7,9, OR MORE). NO MEAT IS SERVED
AT ALL, BUT FISH IS ALLOWED. EACH COURSE IS BROUGHT OUT
INDIVIDUALLY; FOR EXAMPLE, BREAD MIGHT BE FIRST, THEN
FOLLOWED BY SOUP, THEN FOLLOWED BY THE FISH OR BY FRUIT FOR DESSERT.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
James Callow comment:
Please make a copy. Label it F663
Keyword(s): ABSTINENCE FROM MEAT ; CHRISTMAS ; Easter ; FOOD ; FOOD CUSTOM ; holiday ; Menu ; tradition ; VOGELIA
| Subject headings: | 122 Christmas 686 Seven / Sevenths / Several 686 Ninths / Nine CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday |
Date learned: 11-02-1971