Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for Elf returned 39 results.
EASTER
HER GRANDMOTHER NEVER EATS FROM HOLY THURSDAY TO EASTER SUNDAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): SELF-SACRIFICE--FASTING
| Subject headings: | 663 Holy Thursday CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
SLOVAK EASTER CUSTOM
STRICT FAST ON GOOD FRIDAY AND HOLY SATURDAY. THIS APPLIES ONLY TO
ADULTS AND ONLY UNTIL NOON. THE ADULTS MAY HAVE COFFEE OR MILK
AND A PIECE OF BREAD, SOMETIMES BUTTERED. THEN THE FAST IS RESUMED.
Where learned: OHIO ; CLEVELAND
Keyword(s): SELF-SACRIFICE--FASTING
| Subject headings: | 663 Good Friday 663 Holy Saturday |
Date learned: 00001967 FALL
BLACK FAST
ON GOOD FRIDAY, THE GROWN-UPS REALLY OBSERVED THE "BLACK FAST". THEY
ATE ONLY DARK BREAD AND BLACK COFFEE. THE CHILDREN HAD MILK, ( ; )
WE WERE NOT REALLY HUNGRY BUT HAD MEAGER MEALS.
Keyword(s): SELF-SACRIFICE--FASTING
| Subject headings: | 663 Good Friday |
Date learned: 10-00-1968
GOOD FRIDAY SUPPER
ON GOOD FRIDAY, ONE CAN ONLY HAVE ONE MEAL. HE SHOULD SPEND THE REST
OF HIS DAY CONTEMPLATING THE SERIOUS OCCASION WHICH THE DATE
REPRESENTS. THE MEAL SHOULD CONSIST OF COOKED NOODLES, PRUNES, AND
SMALL SQUARES OF BREAD. THIS AGAIN SHOULD REPRESENT THE SEVERITY
OF CHRIST'S DEATH AND ITS IMPORTANCE TO MANKIND.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A TRADITIONAL CUSTOM OF THE PEOPLE OF WESTPHALIA. MR.
STOERKEL IS FROM THIS AREA OF GERMANY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Mount Clemens
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM ; SELF-SACRIFICE--FASTING ; SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | 663 Good Friday |
Date learned: 00001940S LATE
HOLY WEEK ( GOOD FRIDAY )
IN UKRAINE, IT IS CUSTOMARY NOT TO EAT DAIRY PRODUCTS ON HOLY FRIDAY
(ALONG WITH MEAT).
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM RELATIVES IN UKRAINE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ABSTINENCE ; SELF-SACRIFICE--FASTING
| Subject headings: | 663 Good Friday |
Date learned: 12-03-1967
A RELIGIOUS TRADITION
"ON GOOD FRIDAY AT HOME WE WERE ALLOWED TO EAT ONLY
APPLES AND SODA CRACKERS FROM MIDNIGHT HOLY THURSDAY TO MIDNIGHT
GOOD FRIDAY, AND WE COULD ONLY DRINK WATER."
Submitter comment: LEARNED AS A CHILD AT HOME.
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM ; SELF-SACRIFICE--FASTING
| Subject headings: | 663 Holy Thursday 663 Good Friday |
Date learned: 03-10-1967
HOLY WEEK CUSTOMS ( GOOD FRIDAY )
ON GOOD FRIDAY, NO DAIRY PRODUCTS OR PRODUCTS MADE OF DAIRY PRODUCTS,
NO MEAT, AND NO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES MAY BE CONSUMED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM ; SELF-SACRIFICE--FASTING
| Subject headings: | 663 Good Friday |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
EASTER FOOD
UKRAINIANS PLACE CHOCOLATE EASTER EGGS, BUBBLE GUM, CATSUP, POTATO
CHIPS, ETC. IN THEIR EASTER BASKETS TO REPRESENT MODERN DAY
SACRIFICES DURING LENT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM ; SELF-SACRIFICE ; SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | 663 Lent Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter eggs CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday |
Date learned: 03-17-1970
ITALIAN EASTER MONDAY CUSTOM
THE ITALIANS BELIEVE THAT EATING JUST BREAD AND DRINKING JUST WATER
ON THE MONDAY AFTER EASTER SUNDAY FOR SEVEN YEARS WILL BRING
BLESSINGS.
Submitter comment:
[INFORMANT] RELATED THAT HE TRIED IT FOR FOUR YEARS AND GAVE UP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM ; SELF-SACRIFICE--FASTING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus BELIEF -- Number BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 11-17-1968
MORAL PROVERB
HE DOESN'T EAT HIMSELF AND DOESN'T GIVE ANYBODY ELSE ANYTHING TO EAT
EITHER.
Submitter comment: A TRUE MISER, A SCROOGE, THIS IS A LITHUANIAN PROVERB.
Data entry tech comment: FOR LITHUANIAN PHRASE DENOTING MORAL PROVERB SEE ORIGINAL 5X8 CARD.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; HONORS HOUSE
Keyword(s): PARALLELISM MORALITY SELFISH
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 02-17-1971
THE WERWOLF OF KOTTERN
ONCE UPON A TIME THERE WAS A VERY POOR MAN WHO HAD TWELVE CHILDERN.
HE LIVED IN THE TOWN OF KOTTERN. HE WAS SO POOR THAT HE COULDN,T
AFFORD TO BUY THE WOOD FOR HIS HOME. SO, HE STOLE THE WOOD AND WAS
CAUGHT IN THE ACT. OUT OF FEAR OF SEVERE BODILY PUNISHMENT, HE FLED
TO THE WOODS TO HANG HIMSELF.
SUDDENLY A STRANGER APPEARED AND ASKED THE MAN WHAT HIS TROUBLE WAS.
THE STRANGER LAUGHED AND TOLD THE POOR MAN THERE WAS AN ESAY WAY
TO ESCAPE FROM JUSTICE. ALL HE HAD TO DO WAS BECOME A WOLF.
HE COULD DO THIS BY CONCENTRATING ON THE DEVIL AND COMPLETING
IGNORING GOD. WHEN THE POLICE ARRESTED THE THIEF, HE WOULD
CONCENTRATE ON THE DEVIL AND WOULD IMMEDIATELY CHANGE INTO A WOLF.
THE POLICE WOULD RUN AWAY. THE MAN BEGAN TO ENJOY THE POWER TO
CHANGE INTO A WOLF WHENEVER HE FELT LIKE SCARING SOMEONE. BUT EVERY
NOW AND THEN HIS CHILDREN NOTICED THAT THEIR FATHER SMELLED FROM
BLOOD.
ONE DAY IN BROAD DAY LIGHT, THE MAN GOT THE URGE TO TURN INTO A WOLF
AND HE COULDN,T CONTROL HIMSELF. THE CHILDREN THEN KNEW THEIR FATHER
WAS A WERWOLF.
THAT VERY DAY THE FATHER DISAPPEARED AND HIS FAMILY BECAME
EVEN POORER.
Data entry tech comment: THE KEYPUNCHER HAS CORRECTED THE COLLECTOR,S SPELLING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Keyword(s): PUNISHMENT ONLY TO FIND PUNISHMENT. ; TRANSFORMATION: MAN TRANSFORMED FROM MAN TO WOLF TO SAVE SELF FROM
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Werewolf Vampire |
Date learned: 10-10-1968
Entry filtered.
AUTOGRAPH VERSE
IF YOU SEE A MONKEY UP IN A TREE,
PULL HIS TAIL AND THINK OF ME.
Submitter comment: FROM HER AUTOGRAPH BOOK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
Keyword(s): COUPLET ; HUMOR ; REMEMBRANCE ; SURPRISE ENDING
James Callow Keyword(s): METER: IAMBS ; RHYME: AA ; RHYME: INTERNAL ; SELF-CRITICISM
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Remember me |
Date learned: 00-00-1938
PROVERBS
LEARN OF THE SKILLFUL, HE THAT TEACHES HIMSELF HAS
A FOOL FOR A MASTER.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
James Callow Keyword(s): OPPOSITE OF SELF-RELIANCE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 05-23-1985
SALUTATION GESTURE
WAVING GOODBYE AMONG SICILIANS AND MOST LATIN AMERICANS
ENTAILS CUPPING AND UNCUPPING THE HAND--AS IS COMMON IN
THE U.S. HOWEVER, THIS IS DIRECTED TOWARD'S ONE'S OWN
BODY AND NOT TOWARD THE DEPARTING PERSON. THIS GESTURE
IS REPUTED TO BE A SYMBOLIC YEARNING OF THE OTHER'S SOON
RETURN.
Where learned: FLORIDA ; MIAMI
Keyword(s): CUP THE FINGERS, AND WAVE THEM TOWARD YOURSELF.
| Subject headings: | 602 Body Parts SPEECH -- Goodbyes Leavetakings SPEECH -- Wishes Wants Desires Predictions |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
Faerie: Elves and Time Travellers
There is no such thing as "a fairy," but rather "Faerie" is a place - a half-remembered world perhaps existing in another dimension. "Faerie" was inhabited not by faeries but by elves. These Elves were not diminutive, but tall, pale, thin and fair. They were especially noted for their grey eyes. They are unable to touch iron: suggesting that these were early time-travellers unable to come in contact with magnetic sources without "grounding out" of the earthly dimension.
Data entry tech comment:
Collector stamped a home address stamp onto the card in the place of "collector data."
Stamp reads: Mrs.W.E. Givens, Jr.
They then crossed out the Prefix and first initials [Mrs. W.E.] of the name, and wrote an indecipherable scrawl over the suffix [Jr.]. This scrawl may possibly be Rev. or Esq.
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original Boggs number P400 was crossed out and P423 was substituted.
Where learned: WALES ; ABERYSTWYTH
Keyword(s): Attributes ; Dimension ; Elf ; Elves ; Faerie ; Fairy ; IRON ; Legend ; Lore ; METAL ; MYTH ; Physics ; Time-Traveler
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome |
House-Demons
By a clean river, there grew oak trees from centuries before. Not far from there lived a Samogitian of many years. Together with im lived his beautiful and larg efamily. Their barns were full of cattle, the corn overflowed into the storehouse. No farmer, happier or richer than him, was around.
The other farmers, jealous of his success, started talking about him, that a house demon brought him all his riches. Many said that they saw the demons flying around the house.
The people's council, hearing such talk from the neighbors, sent an inspector over to the farmer's house; they ordered him to forbid the farmer, to tell him to finally learn to live with the other people.
the inspector, showing up at the farmer's house, told him directly that yhe should be ashamed to keep a demon in his house and that he should do only what is good for his neighbors.
the Samogitian only laughed at him. Still laughung he told the inspector that not a single of his demons has yet done wrong to any of his neighbors. Then the inspector told him to show him his demons. With that,. the farmer led the inspector by hand to his barn where all his farming tools stood.
-These- said the farmer, -are my demons that do good for me and my neighbors.-
Submitter comment:
Translated from Lithuanian by Ramune Stonys
An asterisk denotes a message for the word Samogalia, and explains that: Lithuania is divided into different regions. Samogalia is one region, located in Northern Lithuania.
On tha back of the card is an address for the translator:
R. Stonys
17276 Milton
Southfield, MI 48075
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Grammatical correction: Leave to Live.
Keyword(s): AGRICULTURE ; Demon ; Demons ; DISCIPLINE ; FARMER ; FARMING ; HARD WORK ; House ; Moral ; Neighbors ; Parable ; Relationships ; SELF DISCIPLINE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon |
Ethnic: Italian
IT IS AN OLD ITALIAN CUSTOM THAT DURING LENT NOTHING MADE FROM EGGS
ARE ( IS ) EATEN UNTIL HOLY SATURDAY AFTERNOON.
Submitter comment:
THIS CUSTOM WAS PASSED TO THE INFORMANT FROM HER MOTHER AND
ORIGINALLY CAME FROM SOUTHERN ITALY.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated / 02-24-2011 / TRD
Where learned: NEW YORK ; PORT CHESTER
Keyword(s): ABSTINENCE ; CUSTOM ; Eggs ; ETHNIC ; FOOD ; holiday ; Italian ; Lent ; RELIGIOUS ; SELF-SACRIFICE
| Subject headings: | 663 Holy Saturday CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Christian Chronology |
Date learned: 11-28-1970
Religion
An extremely grim account of religious confraternities in New Mexico and Colorado which practice self-flagellation and other penitent practices, especially on Good Friday.
The article explores the history behind and classifies different types of Muerte (death images) which are pulled on carts by penitents.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs Added by TRD
Where learned: Journal of American Folklore ; The Origin of the Penitence Death Cart
Keyword(s): Colorado ; CUSTOM ; DEATH ; Flagellation ; Images ; Inflicted ; Muerte ; New Mexico ; REGIONAL ; RELIGION ; Self
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Custom |