Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for BELIEF returned 508 results.
LOSS OF A SWEETHEART
IF YOU ARE RIDING OVER TRACKS, (WHETHER THEY ARE TRAIN TRACKS
OR STREETCAR TRACKS) RAISE YOUR FEET OFF THE GROUND. IF YOU
DO NOT, YOU WILL LOSE YOUR PRESENT SWEETHEART.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Relationship ; SUPERSTITION ; Sweetheart ; Tracks
James Callow Keyword(s): DIRECTION ; POSITION
CAR BELIEF
IF A GIRL IS RIDING IN A CAR AND IT CROSSES OVER RAILROAD
TRACKS, SHE MUST LIFT UP HER FEET OR SHE WILL NOT GET MARRIED.
Submitter comment: INFORMANTS ATTITUDE WAS QUITE SKEPTICAL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LINCOLN PARK
James Callow Keyword(s): DISBELIEF ; POSITION DIRECTION
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
DIET
FIVE POUNDS CAN BE LOST IN THREE DAYS BY EATING HARD
BOILED EGGS AND DRINKING WATER.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT FOUND THIS ABSURD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LINCOLN PARK
James Callow Keyword(s): DISBELIEF
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple Food Drink -- Food |
LEAVING
ON LEAVING THE HOUSE YOU ARE TO LEAVE BY THE SAME DOOR YOU
ENTERED THE HOUSE BY OR ELSE BAD LUCK WILL COME TO YOU.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT DOES THIS EACH TIME HE ENTERS A BUILDING. HE
ALWAYS LEAVES BY THE SAME DOOR ENTERED.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; BUILDING ; Entrance ; Exit ; LUCK ; SUPERSTITION
James Callow Keyword(s): DIRECTION ; POSITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 02-28-1971
SPIRIT MEDIUMS
THIS IS A BELIEF IN INDIA, THERE ARE FAIR, AND EVIL MEDIUMS. A
MEDIUM CAN INVADE THE BODY OF A MAN NOT YET REALLY DEAD, AND
PULL THE SPIRIT RIGHT OUT, AND THEN THE MEDIUM CONTROLS IT.
I HAVE SEEN THE CASKETS BREAK OPEN UNEXPLAINABLY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
James Callow Keyword(s): BELIEF
| Subject headings: | Spirit / Mind / Body BELIEF -- Witch Shaman |
Date learned: 02-04-1968
LEGEND
THERE IS A CATHOLIC CEMETERY IN TOLEDO, IT,S THE BIGGEST CEMETERY
IN TOLEDO. IN THE MID 20S, WHEN GYPSIES WERE STILL A BIG THING,
THERE WAS SUPPOSEDLY A GYPSY QUEEN THAT DIED. SO THE GYPSIES HELD
A BIG BURIAL FOR HER, WITH ALL THE RITES AND FEASTS AND PARTYING-
DOWN. THEY INTERRED HER BODY IN A BIG MAUSOLEUM WITH BEAUTIFUL
STAINED GLASS WINDOWS. THE QUEEN HAD DIED IN CHILDBIRTH. SO ANYWAY
THERE ARE SPECIAL NIGHTS EVERY MONTH' I DON,T KNOW WHAT THE NIGHTS
ARE, WHERE YOU CAN SUPPOSEDLY SEE THE SHADOW OF A WOMAN WALKING A
CHILD AND HEAR A CHILD CRYING. ONE NIGHT MY DAD TOOK ME TO THE
CEMETERY. AGAINST THE FLICKERING LIGHT OF CANDLES, I SAW THE SVELTE
SHADOW OF A WOMAN PACING BACK AND FORTH AND HEARD A BABY CRYING. WE
WENT BACK THE NEXT DAY. THE MAUSOLEUM HAD GATES WHICH CLOSED OFF
THE FRONT, AND HUGE IRON DOORS WHICH WERE SHUT. WE CHECKED THE
GATES AND THEY HAD BEEN WELDED OR RUSTED SHUT, SO THERE WAS NO WAY
ANYONE COULD GET INSIDE.
Submitter comment:
IF THE INFORMANT SAID HE SAW THE SHADOW AND HEARD THE CHILD, HE DID.
HE IS NOT GIVEN TO EXAGGERATING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
James Callow Keyword(s): BELIEF
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- B439 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
LEGEND
THERE IS A PRIEST IN SAN JUAN DE LOS LAGOS, MEXICO, WHO SAID TO GOD
HE WOULD SAY THE OUR FATHER EVERY TIME SOMEONE CAME INTO THE CHURCH
IN ORDER TO THANK GOD FOR LETTING HIM BE A PRIEST. HE DIED AND WAS
BURIED. THE NEXT TIME SOMEONE CAME INTO THE CHURCH AFTER HE DIED,
THE PRIEST SAID THE OUR FATHER REALLY LOUD AND SLOW. NO ONE KNEW
WHERE HIS VOICE WAS COMING FROM. HE DID THIS AT MASS AS PEOPLE WERE
COMING IN AND EVERYONE RAN OUT BECAUSE THEY WERE SCARED. THE POLICE
CAME TO CHECK OUT THE CHURCH FOR LOUDSPEAKERS, AND THEY CHECKED THE
WHOLE CHURCH AND FOUND NOTHING. THE POLICE FINALLY LOCKED UP THE
CHURCH. AFTER THAT, TWO DRUNKS SOMEHOW GOT INTO THE CHURCH. THE
PRIEST SAID THE OUR FATHER AND THEY RAN OUT OF THE CHURCH COMPLETELY
SOBER. NO ONE GOES IN THE CHURCH ANYMORE, THIS IS A TRUE STORY.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT TOLD THIS STORY AS STRAIGHT FACT, HE BELIEVED IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
James Callow Keyword(s): BELIEF ; INSOBRIETY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Supernatural Being BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 11-00-1975
A CURE
IN POLAND, IN THE COUNTRY IT'S PRACTICED TO PUT CLAY ON BUMPS
ON THE HEAD, TO MAKE THE SWELLING GO DOWN.
Submitter comment:
ANNA STANISZKIS LEARNED THIS WHEN SHE SPENT
VACATIONS IN THE COUNTRY.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): POLISH BELIEFS ; REDUCTION OF SWELLING
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mineral |
Date learned: 11-30-1967
A CURE
SHE SAYS THEY (FOLK) PUT CLAY ON BURNS
IN ORDER TO HELP THEM HEAL MORE QUICKLY.
Submitter comment:
ANNA STANISZKIS LEARNED THIS WHILE SHE SPENT VACATIONS IN THE
COUNTRY IN POLAND.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): BURNS, TREATMENT OF ; POLISH BELIEF
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mineral |
Date learned: 11-30-1967
REMEDY FOR BURNS
AN OLD POLISH REMEDY FOR BURNS.
IS TO PUT COOKED CABBAGE LEAVES ON THE AFFECTED AREA.
Data entry tech comment: OTHER SIMILAR CARDS IN ARCHIVES
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): CABBAGE LEAVES ; FOOD ; POLISH BELIEF
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 03-15-1968
CURE
MRS. BOLCEN'S MOTHER WAS A DIABETIC WHO REFUSED TO TAKE INSULIN
AND THEREFORE HER DOCTOR GAVE HER ONLY SIX MONTHS TO LIVE.
AN INDIAN FRIEND OF THE FAMILY BROUGHT A WEED CALLED
SILVER THREAD, LET IT DRY AND MADE TEA OUT OF IT.
HER MOTHER DRANK IT IN PLACE OF WATER
AND SHE LIVED FOR FIFTEEN YEARS.
Submitter comment: MARIE LEARNED IT FROM HER MOTHER IN 1934
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; BRASS RAIL CHOP HOUSE
Keyword(s): HERBAL CURE ; PROLONGATION OF LIFE BELIEF
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant |
THROAT CURE
TOUCH THE HAND OF A DEAD INFANT TO A PERSON'S THROAT TO CURE IT.
Submitter comment:
MRS. DUNMIRE SAID THAT HER MOTHER, WHO HAD A GOITER, DID THIS
WHEN SHE DRESSED A LITTLE BABY BEFORE ITS FUNERAL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): DEATH BELIEF ; TRANSFER
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 01-00-1970
DROWNING
SCAPULAR - PROTECTION AGAINST DROWNING
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): AMULET ; PREVENTION ; RELIGIOUS BELIEF
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 10-25-1968
FEET
MAKE THE SIGN OF THE CROSS ON THE BOTTOM OF YOUR FOOT WHEN IT
GOES TO
SLEEP AND IT WILL WAKE UP.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): RELIGIOUS BELIEF
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications BELIEF -- Remedy |
FELON
PUT WARM HOLY OIL ON A FALLON TO OPEN IT UP.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT USED HOLY OIL FROM ST. ANNE DE BEAUPRE TO OPEN A FALLON
ON HER FINGER.
Data entry tech comment: SPELLING CORRECTED BY KEYPUNCHER
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): RELIGIOUS BELIEF ; SHRINE IN QUEBEC, CANADA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 02-19-1967
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
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