Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for FAMILY UNITY returned 27 results.
EASTER-TOAST
THE FIRST FOOD EATEN ON EASTER MORNING IS A PIECE OF HARD-BOILED
EGG THAT WAS BLEST ON HOLY SATURDAY. IT IS USED IN
GIVING A TOAST OF HAPPY EASTER TO THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FAMILY UNITY ; FOOD CUSTOM ; SWIECZONKA
Date learned: 03-10-1970
EASTER CUSTOM (POLISH)
( THE ) WHOLE FAMILY MUST EAT PIECES OF A BLESSED EGG TOGETHER
BEFORE THEY EAT EASTER DINNER. THE SYMBOLISM IS A
CORRELATION BETWEEN CHRIST COMING OUT OF THE TOMB WITH NO HELP AND
THE EGG COMING OUT OF THE HEN WITH NO HELP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE
Keyword(s): FAMILY UNITY ; FOOD CUSTOM
Date learned: 09-00-1969
EASTER CUSTOM
AT THE BEGINNING OF BREAKFAST THE FATHER SHARES FOOD WITH THE REST OF
THE FAMILY. HE SLICES UP BLESSED BREAD, EGGS AND KIELBASA AND GIVES
A SMALL PIECE TO EVERYONE. THIS FOOD MUST BE EATEN BEFORE ADDITIONAL
FOOD IS TAKEN.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; GLENVIEW
Keyword(s): FAMILY UNITY ; FOOD CUSTOM
Date learned: 11-29-1970
EASTER DAY
THE FOOD THAT WAS BLESSED ON SATURDAY MUST BE EATEN FOR BREAKFAST.
IT MUST INCLUDE HORSERADISH TO REPRESENT THE BURNING LIQUID GIVEN
CHRIST WHILE HE HUNG ON THE CROSS. THE REMAINING FOOD SHOULD BE
SHARED WITH THE DAY'S VISITORS SO THAT IT IS FINISHED ON SUNDAY.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; ERIE
Keyword(s): CHARITY, HOSPITALITY ; FAMILY UNITY ; FOOD CUSTOM ; SWIECZONKA ; SYMBOL
EASTER MORNING RITUAL (OR CUSTOM)
ON EASTER MORNING, AFTER RESURRECTION MASS, THE FAMILY WOULD ALL
GATHER FOR BREAKFAST, MADE UP OF THE THINGS FOUND IN THE SWIECONKA
(EASTER BASKET BLESSED AT CHURCH ON HOLY SATURDAY).
MY FATHER WOULD TAKE ONE OF THE BOILED, PEELED EGGS (BLESSED) AND CUT
IT INTO FIVE PIECES--ONE FOR EACH MEMBER OF THE FAMILY. THEN HE
WOULD TAKE A PIECE OF RAW HORSERADISH (SCRAPED CLEAN THE PREVIOUS
DAY) AND GIVE EACH OF US A PIECE OF IT. A LOAF OF RYE BREAD WAS CUT
AND DISTRIBUTED TO EACH OF US (IT WAS A TINY LOAF, MADE ESPECIALLY
FOR THE EASTER BASKET), AS WAS THE KIELBASA, BUTTER AND COFFEE CAKE.
AFTER EACH OF US HAD AT LEAST A TINY PIECE OF EACH OF THE ABOVE, WE
WERE ALLOWED TO HAVE LARGER PORTIONS OF THE NON-BLESSED FOOD.
HOWEVER, ONE OF THE RITUALS THAT MY DAD WOULD GO THROUGH WAS TAKING
A WHOLE, BLESSED EGG (BOILED AND PEELED) AND RUBBING IT ON HIS JAW,
FROM LEFT EAR TO HIS CHIN THEN TO THE RIGHT EAR, THEN BACK AGAIN TO
THE LEFT. THIS, HE TOLD US, WOULD WARD OFF TOOTHACHES.
Submitter comment:
AS FAR AS I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DETERMINE, MY FATHER GOT THIS CUSTOM
FROM HIS PARENTS WHO WERE BORN AND RAISED IN POLAND. MY FATHER CAME
TO AMERICA IN 1914, AT THE AGE OF !7.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FAMILY UNITY ; FOOD CUSTOM ; SWIECZONKA
Date learned: 04-00-1965
EASTER EGG TRADITION
THERE IS A CUSTOM WITH THE POLISH PEOPLE OF PASSING AROUND THE
DINNER TABLE ONE BLESSED HARD-BOILED EASTER EGG. THE OLDEST MALE
MEMBER OF THE FAMILY BEGINS TO BREAK THE SLICES OF THE EGG WITH
OTHER MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY. USUALLY A WISH IS MADE BETWEEN THE
TWO AND THEN SEALED WITH A KISS. HOWEVER, IF THE EGG DROPS, ONE OF
THE TWO WILL NOT LIVE TO SEE THE NEXT EASTER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN ; informant's home
Keyword(s): FAMILY UNITY ; FOOD CUSTOM
Date learned: 03-27-1970
CUSTOM-POLISH
THE CHRISTMAS EVE CEREMONY IS CALLED VIGELIA. IT BEGINS WHEN THE
FATHER OF THE HOUSE SEES THE FIRST STAR IN THE SKY. THEN THE FAMILY
SITS DOWN FOR DINNER. THE TABLE IS SET FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY--
BROTHERS, SISTERS, IN-LAWS, NIECES, NEPHEWS, ETC.,--WITH ONE
EXTRA PLACE IN CASE COMPANY SHOULD COME. UNDER THE TABLE CLOTH ARE
LITTLE PIECES OF STRAW TO SYMBOLIZE THE MANGER. THERE IS FASTING
ON THIS DAY--NO MEAT. THE DINNER CONSISTS OF 12 DIFFERENT
FOODS, SYMBOLIZING THE 12 APOSTLES--SUCH AS WINE, MUSHROOM SOUP,
HERRING, PEROGIA (A DOUGH AND CHEES DISH), BOILED PERCH, BOILED
POTATOES AND MASHED POTATOES, AND RELISHES. THERE IS ALSO A
LARGE HOST CALLED OPTATKE. THE FATHER AND THE MOTHER BREAK OFF A
PIECE OF THE HOST AND WISH EACH OTHER HEALTH AND HAPPINESS. THEY
THEN GO TO THE OLDEST SON AND HE TAKES A PIECE OFF THE HOST AND
A PIECE FROM BOTH THE MOTHER'S AND THE FATHER'S AND WISHES THEM
HEALTH AND HAPPINESS AND THIS IS PASSED THROUGH THE FAMILY LIKE THIS.
IT IS TO SYMBOLIZE UNITY. THEN TRADITIONAL POLISH CAROLES ARE
SUNG.
Submitter comment:
(STILL DONE IN AMERICA?) YES.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ABSTINENCE FROM MEAT ; CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; FAMILY UNITY ; FOOD ; holiday ; Vegetarian ; VIGELIA
Date learned: 11-04-1968