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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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POLISH CUSTOM ON EASTER MONDAY--SWITCH DAY
MY MOTHER, WHO WAS BORN AND REARED IN HAMTRAMCK, MICHIGAN, SAID
IT WAS THE CUSTOM FIFTY YEARS AGO (C. 1915) FOR THE BOYS IN THE
NEIGHBORHOOD TO GET UP REAL EARLY ON THE MONDAY FOLLOWING EASTER
SUNDAY AND VISIT THE HOMES OF THE GIRLS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
SINCE THERE WAS NO SCHOOL THAT DAY THE GIRLS WOULD
BE TRYING TO SLEEP IN. THE BOYS
ALWAYS IN GROUPS OF THREE OR FOUR WOULD BE ADMITTED INTO THE HOUSE
AND IF ANY GIRLS WERE STILL IN BED THEY WOULD BE CONDUCTED, BY THE
GIRLS' MOTHER TO THE BEDROOM WHERE AMIDST MUCH PROTEST, EITHER
FEIGNED OR ACTUAL, THEY BEAT THE GIRLS ABOUT THE FEET AND ANKLES.
THEIR WEAPONS FOR THIS TASK WOULD BE WILLOW SWITCHES WHICH
WERE SOFT AND GREEN. APPARENTLY NO ONE WAS EVER HURT PHYSICALLY
BUT THE SCENE WAS USUALLY QUITE WILD. THE BOYS WOULD THEN STAY AND HAVE
BREAKFAST, USUALLY HAM OR KIELBASA LEFT OVER FROM THE PREVIOUS DAY.
Submitter comment:
(RITES OF LUPERCAL IN "JULIUS CAESAR"??)
Data entry tech comment:
Informant is collector's mother.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): DYNGUS DAY ; RITUAL WHIPPING ; WILLOW
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus |
Date learned: 00-00-1946
EASTER MONDAY
THE DAY AFTER EASTER WAS CALLED "DYNGUS DAY" OR "SWITCHING DAY."
THE MONDAY AFTER EASTER THE BOYS WOULD SWITCH THE GIRLS OR IN OTHER
WORDS THEY WOULD HIT THEM ON THE LEGS WITH A SWITCH OR A PIECE OF
STICK. IF THE BOY CAUGHT YOU AND SWITCHED YOU, YOU HAD TO GIVE HIM
SOME CANDY OR AN APPLE OR HERE IN AMERICA SOME MONEY. THE NEXT
DAY, TUESDAY, IT WAS THE GIRL'S TURN TO SWITCH THE BOYS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; informant's home
Keyword(s): DYNGUS DAY ; EASTER GIFTS ; FOOD CUSTOM ; HEALTH ; REVENGE ; RITUAL WHIPPING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Tuesday Revenge Day |
Date learned: 03-11-1970
DYNGUS DAY
ACCORDING TO OLD POLISH CUSTOM, ON EASTER MONDAY, ALL YOUNG POLISH
BOYS ARE ALLOWED TO TEASE GIRLS AND SWITCH THEM LIGHTLY WITH A
BRANCH OR TWIG ETC. THIS IS A SIGN OF SPRING AND A YOUNG BOY
BECOMING INTERESTED IN GIRLS.
Submitter comment:
IT IS A CUSTOM IN INFORMANT'S FAMILY ALSO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): DYNGUS DAY ; RITUAL WHIPPING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus |
SWITCH DAY
THE DAY AFTER EASTER IS KNOWN AS SWITCH DAY (DIENGUS) AMONG POLES.
ON THIS DAY BOYS BUY RED SWITCHES AND ARE ALLOWED TO TRY AND
"SWITCH" THE GIRLS. IF THEY SUCCEED, THE GIRLS MUST TAKE THEM HOME
FOR DINNER, WHERE THE GIRLS' FATHERS SEE THAT THE BOYS HAVE ALL THEY
WANT TO EAT AND DRINK. THE DAY AFTER THIS, THE SITUATION IS
REVERSED AND THE GIRLS GET TO SWITCH THE BOYS THEN TAKE THEM HOME
FOR DINNER.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS STILL A CUSTOM PRACTICED IN HAMTRAMCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): DYNGUS DAY ; FOOD CUSTOM ; REVENGE ; RITUAL WHIPPING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Tuesday Revenge Day |
Date learned: 04-10-1967
AFTER-EASTER CUSTOM
DYNGUS DAY (SWITCH DAY)--ON EASTER MONDAY, BOYS IN CERTAIN POLISH
VILLAGES WILL SWITCH GIRLS THEY LIKE ON THE LEGS WITH A WILLOW
BRANCH, AND THEN WILL POUR A LITTLE WATER ON THEIR LEGS TO TEASE
THEM; SORT OF A COUNTERPART TO OUR SADIE HAWKINS DAY.
Where learned: OVER THE TELEPHONE
Keyword(s): DYNGUS DAY ; RITUAL WHIPPING ; WATER
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus |
Date learned: 11-02-1971
MARCH 21, THE OFFICIAL FIRST DAY OF SPRING, IS FAMILY DAY. SONGS
ABOUT FAMILIES ARE PLAYED ON THE RADIO AND T.V. CHILDREN WRITE
COMPOSITIONS IN SCHOOL ABOUT THE FAMILY. THEY DISCONTINUED
MOTHER'S DAY BECAUSE FAMILIES WITHOUT MOTHERS WERE LEFT OUT.
Submitter comment: (THIS HAPPENED IN) EGYPT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): MOTHER'S DAY IN EGYPT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- March 21 |
Date learned: 02-00-1972
AUSTRIAN CUSTOM
ON ST. NICHOLAS@ DAY THE CHILDREN LEAVE THEIR SHOES OUTSIDE THEIR
DOORS. IT THEY ARE BAD ST. NICK WILL PUT COAL IN THEM BUT IF THEY
ARE GOOD THEY WILL RECEIVE PRESENTS.
Submitter comment: HEARD FROM GRANDPARENTS WHO CAME FROM AUSTRIA
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): ST. NICHOLAS'DAY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 6 Feast of St. Nicholas CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR.
ST. NICHOLAS' DAY
ON DEC. 6 A MAN WEARING A WHITE SHEET AND CARRYING A BIG CHAIN WOULD
VISIT ALL THE HOUSES AND ASK THE CHILDREN IF THEY HAD BEEN GOOD AND
IF THEY KNEW THEIR PRAYERS. IF NOT THEY WERE TOLD SANTA CLAUS
WOULDN'T VISIT THEM ON CHRISTMAS. IT WAS VERY EFFECTIVE, EVERYONE
WAS GOOD FROM THEN TILL CHRISTMAS BECAUSE THEY WERE FRIGHTENED
OF HIM.
Submitter comment: PRACTICED IN STEELTON, PA. ABOUT 00001920
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ST. NICHOLAS' DAY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 6 Feast of St. Nicholas |
Date learned: 01-12-1964
ST. NICHOLAS DAY: ON DECEMBER 6TH, THE CHILDREN WOULD GATHER AND
GO FROM ONE RELATIVE'S HOUSE TO THE OTHER WITH A BAG IN THEIR HANDS.
WHEN THEY REACHED THE HOUSE, THEY WOULD HAVE TO KNEEL DOWN AND PRAY.
IF THEY WERE NOT GOOD, THEY WOULD BE HIT WITH A SWITCH.
Submitter comment:
MRS. DEVEREUX LEARNED THIS FROM HER RELATIVES AND IT WAS THE CUSTOM
IN HER DAY ALSO.
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): ST. NICHOLAS DAY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 6 Feast of St. Nicholas |
Date learned: 11-03-1963
HOLIDAY
THROUGHOUT CANADA, EVERY DECEMBER 26TH, THE DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS,
IS KNOWN AS BOXING DAY. NO ONE GOES TO WORK ON THIS DAY AND
EVERYBODY JUST SEEMS TO RECUPERRATE FROM THE CHRISTMAS EXCITEMENT.
THIS IS RECOGNIZED AS A HOLIDAY WHICH ORIGINATED FROM GREAT BRITAIN.
Where learned: DETROIT
Keyword(s): CHRISTMAS ; HOLIDAY WORK TABU
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 26 Boxing Day St. Stephen's Day |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR.
ENGLISH FESTIVAL
BOXING DAY IS HELD THE DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS. IT BEGAN AS A CUSTOM IN
WHICH THE LANDLORDS GAVE GIFTS IN BOXES TO THE WORKERS ON THEIR LAND.
THE LANDLORDS WOULD GO VISITING AS THEY DELIVERED THE BOXES.
THE CUSTOM HAS DIED DOWN AND IS NOW USUALLY CARRIED OUT BY GIVING
MONEY TO MAIDS THE DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS.
Submitter comment: HEARD IN ENGLAND
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
Keyword(s): BOXING DAY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 26 Boxing Day St. Stephen's Day |
Date learned: 00-00-1964
BOXING DAY CELEBRATION IN THE BAHAMAS
26 DECEMBER JUNKNOW ( JUN-KA-NOO' ) PARADES. VARIOUS GROUPS DRESS UP
IN VARIOUS COSTUMES MADE OUT OF PAPER AND DANCE TO THE MUSIC OF
THE GOAT SKIN DRUM AND BUGLE. THE CELEBRATION IS SIMILAR TO
MARDI GRAS. IT GOES FROM 4AM TO 9PM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BOXING DAY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 26 Boxing Day St. Stephen's Day |
Date learned: 01-26-1972
BOXING DAY
ON THE DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS, ONE WRAPS UP COOKIES AND GOODIES IN
A BOX TO GIVE TO FRIENDS.
Submitter comment: THIS WAS A CUSTOM OF A FORMER NEIGHBOR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
Keyword(s): BOXING DAY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 26 Boxing Day St. Stephen's Day |
ST. STEPHEN'S DAY
THE DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS IS THE FEAST OF ST. STEPHEN WHO WAS THE
FIRST CHRISTIAN MARTYR. IN ORDER TO PAY RESPECT TO HIM THE FAMILY
IS TO THROW NUTS AT EACH OTHER BEFORE THE MAIN MEAL BECAUSE HE WAS
STONED TO DEATH.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT'S FAMILY ACTUALLY DOES THIS EACH YEAR ON DECEMBER 26TH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ST. STEPHEN'S DAY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 26 Boxing Day St. Stephen's Day |
Date learned: 03-06-1971
ST. STEPHENS DAY
DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS, FRIENDS TAKE BAGS OF WALNUTS OR HICKORY NUTS
AND GO TO VISIT FRIENDS. THEY THROW THE NUTS AT THE VISITED IN
THE SAME MANNER THAT ST. STEPHEN WAS STONED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ST. STEPHENS DAY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 26 Boxing Day St. Stephen's Day |
Date learned: 09-18-1967
CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
EVERY DECEMBER 28, OR ST. STEPHENS DAY, THE IRISH PEOPLE WOULD
PARADE AROUND THE VILLAGES CARRYING A HOLLY TREE WITH A WREN'S NEST
IN IT. THEY WOULD CHANT " THE WREN, THE WREN, THE KING OF ALL BIRDS
WAS CAUGHT IN THE FIRE ON ST. STEPHENS DAY; UP WITH THE KETTLE
AND DOWN WITH THE PAN, A PENNY OR THREEPENCE TO BURY THE WREN."
Submitter comment:
THIS PROCESSION WOULD BE IN COSTUME AND THE PEOPLE WOULD HOLD OUT
THEIR POTS FOR DONATIONS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ST. STEPHENS DAY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 26 Boxing Day St. Stephen's Day |
Date learned: 09-21-1969
ROCKY HELLO
ON THE DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS, ST. STEPHENS DAY, YOUR NEIGHBORS COME
OVER AND THROW NUTS AT YOU.
Submitter comment: SYMBOLIC OF ST. STEPHEN'S STONING
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ST. STEPHEN'S DAY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 26 Boxing Day St. Stephen's Day |
Date learned: 11-02-1969
HUNT THE WREN
ON ST. STEPHENS DAY CHILDREN GO FROM DOOR TO DOOR IN FANCY DRESS
SINGING AND DANCING FOR THE PEOPLE. THE CHILDREN ARE GIVEN
CHRISTMAS CAKE AND MONEY AS A REWARD.
Submitter comment: DONE IN IRELAND
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
Keyword(s): ST. STEPHENS DAY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 26 Boxing Day St. Stephen's Day |
Date learned: 11-00-1970
ST. STEPHEN'S NUT THROWING
BOYS AND GIRLS OR FRIENDS AND RELATIVES THROW CHRISTMAS NUTS AT
EACH OTHER AS A REMEMBRANCE OF THE STONING OF ST. STEPHEN; THE FIRST
MARTYR. THIS FUN THROWING CUSTOM USUALLY TAKES PLACE ON DECEMBER 26.
Submitter comment: POLISH RELIGIOUS CUSTOM
Where learned: OHIO ; Sylvania
Keyword(s): ST. STEPHEN'S DAY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 26 Boxing Day St. Stephen's Day |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR.
THIS CUSTOM WAS PRACTICED BY POLISH FARMERS YEARS AGO: ON THE DAY
AFTER CHRISTMAS, ST. STEPHEN'S, ANY MEMBER OF THE FAMILY WOULD TAKE
ANY NUTS AND FRUITS, GO INTO A BEDROOM WHERE A PERSON WAS SLEEPING,
THROW OFF THE COVERS AND THROW THE NUTS AND FRUITS ON THAT PERSON.
WHILE DOING THIS HE OR SHE WOULD SAY " ST. STEPHEN WAS HERE ".
THE PERSON WOULD THEN LEAVE THE ROOM.
Submitter comment:
THE REASON FOR THIS WAS ST. STEPHEN WAS THE FIRST MARTYR AND WAS
STONED TO DEATH. THE NUTS AND FRUITS REPRESENT THE STONES.
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): ST. STEPHEN'S DAY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 26 Boxing Day St. Stephen's Day |
Date learned: 11-15-1969