Dr. James T. Callow publications
Browse by
Questions or comments on this site? Please email davidsor@udmercy.edu.
The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for WATER returned 103 results.
SLOVAK EASTER CUSTOM
ON MONDAY AFTER EASTER SUNDAY, THE YOUNG, SINGLE MEN WENT OUT TO
SEE HIS FAVORITE GIRL AND POURED PERFUMED WATER
ON HER HEAD AND SHE USED IT TO WASH HER
FACE .
BUT THE BOYS WHO HAD NO GIRL IN PARTICULAR WENT INTO HOMES, DRAGGED
THE YOUNG LADY OUT TO THE WELL, AND DOUSED HER GOOD. THE MORE
POPULAR THE YOUNG LADY IS, THE MORE MEN CAME, AND OF COURSE THE
PARENTS WERE VERY HAPPY THAT THEIR DAUGHTER IS SO POPULAR AND HAD
MANY WOULD-BE SUITERS.
WHEN THE BOYS WATERED THE GIRLS, THE GIRL'S PARENTS INVITED THE BOYS
INTO THEIR HOME AND OFFERED THEM GOODIES AND DRINKS; SLIVOVIC (A PLUM
LIQUOR), KOLBASI, HAM, ETC.
ON EASTER TUESDAY, THE YOUNG LADIES TRIED TO RETURN THE WATER
SPLASHING ON THE YOUNG MEN.
THE EASTER HOLIDAY LASTED THREE DAYS.
Where learned: OHIO ; CLEVELAND
Keyword(s): DYNGUS DAY ; FOOD CUSTOM ; REVENGE ; SUITORS ; WATER
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Tuesday Revenge Day |
Date learned: 00001967 FALL
CUSTOM
ON THE DAY AFTER EASTER, THE FIRST GIRL A BOY SAW, HE WOULD SPRINKLE
HER WITH WATER. HOWEVER BOYS ARE BOYS WHEREVER YOU GO AND THEY
USUALLY USED A WHOLE BUCKET OF WATER ON EVERY GIRL THEY MET. THEIR
GIRL FRIENDS THEY SPRINKLED WITH PERFUME OR COLOGNE.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated and Motifs Added / 02-28-2011 / TRD
Informant and collector share same surname.
Where learned: TAYLOR ; Michigan Consolidated Gas Company ; informant's home
Keyword(s): Boy ; Cologne ; COURTSHIP ; CUSTOM ; DYNGUS DAY ; Female ; Flirt ; Flirtation ; Girl ; holiday ; Male ; Perfume ; RITUAL ; Scent ; WATER
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus |
Date learned: 11-27-1967
SWITCHING DAY
ON THE DAY AFTER EASTER POLISH GIRLS STAY INSIDE IF THEY
KNOW WHAT'S GOOD FOR THEM. THE BOYS ARE OUT TO GET THEM WITH WATER
BALLOONS, EGGS, NUTS AND VARIOUS OTHER GOODIES. SOMETIMES IN THE
MORNING PARENTS WILL LET NEIGHBORHOOD BOYS IN, AND THEY QUIETLY MAKE
WAY TO THE DAUGHTER'S BEDROOM WHERE SHE SLEEPS, AND
BEGIN TO "SWITCH" THE FEET WITH LIMBS OF PUSSY WILLOW
TREES; THEY MAY ALSO SPRINKLE WATER ON THE GIRLS. THIS CUSTOM IS
DERIVED FROM THE ACTION OF LONG AGO
WHEN ST. STEPHEN WAS STONED THE DAY AFTER
EASTER. HOWEVER, THE BOYS MUST BEWARE, FOR TUESDAY IS REVENGE
DAY AND THE GIRLS ARE OUT TO GET THEM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS
Keyword(s): DYNGUS DAY ; RITUAL WHIPPING ; WATER ; WILLOW
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Tuesday Revenge Day |
Date learned: 11-22-1971
AN EASTER CUSTOM
ON EASTER MONDAY THE BOYS OF THE TOWN WOULD GO AROUND AND THROW
WATER ON THE HEADS OF THE YOUNG GIRLS OF THE TOWN AS A SIGN OF
FERTILITY.
Submitter comment:
HEARD FROM HER FATHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; STUDENT UNION
Keyword(s): DYNGUS DAY ; WATER
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus |
Date learned: 04-04-1967
EASTER CUSTOM
ON EASTER MONDAY IN CZECHOSLOVAKIA, THE BOYS VISIT THE GIRLS IN THEIR
NEIGHBORHOOD. THEY CARRY A BUCKET OF WATER AND WET THE GIRLS' PALMS.
THEY THEN EXCHANGE THE EASTER GREETING: "CHRIST HAS RISEN" AND
"INDEED HE HAS." NEXT THE GIRLS RUN AWAY BECAUSE THE BOYS TRY TO
SPILL WATER ON THEIR FACE. THE BOYS CHASE THE GIRLS ALL DAY. ON
EASTER TUESDAY, THE GIRLS DO THE SAME TO THE BOYS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; informant's home
Keyword(s): DYNGUS DAY ; REVENGE ; WATER
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus |
Date learned: 02-25-1970
EASTER CUSTOM
ON EASTER MONDAY, THE YOUNG MEN GO TO THE HOUSES OF YOUNG GIRLS
IN CZECHOSLOVAKIA AND SPRINKLE THE GIRLS WITH WATER. THE MORE
EXUBERANT ONES THROW BUCKETS FULL AND THE MORE ELITE SPRINKLE WITH
PERFUME.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant is collector's mother.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): DYNGUS DAY ; WATER
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus |
Date learned: 03-02-1970
"DINGUS"
ON EASTER MONDAY, YOU WOULD KNOCK AT PEOPLE'S DOORS AND POUR WATER
ON THEIR HANDS. THEN YOU WOULD SAY A POLISH SAYING AND THEY WOULD
GIVE YOU COOKIES OR SOMETHING.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT'S MOTHER PRACTICED THIS CUSTOM WHEN SHE WAS IN POLAND.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
Keyword(s): DYNGUS DAY ; EASTER GIFTS ; FOOD CUSTOM ; WATER
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus |
Date learned: 03-05-1972
THE MONDAY AFTER EASTER IS CALLED "POLYVANIJ PONEDILOK" OR WATERING
MONDAY AMONG THE UKRAINIANS. IT IS CUSTOMARY FOR PEOPLE, USUALLY
THE YOUNG, TO SPILL WATER AT EACH OTHER. IF A YOUNG MAN SPILLS WATER
ON HIS GIRL FIRST, HE WILL BE HEAD OF THE FAMILY; IF SHE GETS HIM
FIRST, SHE WILL BE HEAD.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector are the same person.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Keyword(s): DYNGUS DAY ; WATER
| Subject headings: | 870 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 10-00-1970
THE PRACTICE OF "DYNGUS"
IN POLAND, THE DAY AFTER EASTER IT IS A CUSTOM FOR THE BOYS TO SPLASH
THE GIRLS WITH WATER, IN ANY WAY THEY CAN MANAGE. THE NEXT DAY,
THEN, IT IS THE GIRLS' TURN TO TAKE THEIR REVENGE. THIS PRACTICE IS
CALLED "DYNGUS".
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A POPULAR PRACTICE IN POLAND, MY PARENTS REMEMBER.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant is collector's parent.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
Keyword(s): DYNGUS DAY ; WATER
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Tuesday Revenge Day |
Date learned: 11-04-1967
POLISH EASTERTIDE CUSTOM
IN POLAND, ON THE FIRST DAY AFTER EASTER, POLISH BOYS ARE ALLOWED
TO SPRINKLE OR SQUIRT WATER AT ANY GIRL IN THEIR VILLAGE. PARENTS OF
THESE POLISH GIRLS EVEN ALLOW THE BOYS TO COME INTO THEIR HOMES AND
EVEN GO INTO THE BEDROOM OF THE GIRL TO SQUIRT HER WITH WATER.
THE WATER THAT THE BOYS USE MUST BE CLEAN AND NOT DIRTY. POLISH BOYS
MAY ALSO USE PERFUMES INSTEAD OF WATER. THIS CERTAIN DAY AFTER
EASTER IS CALLED "DYNGUS" DAY. BOYS REALLY RELISH THEIR OPPORTUNITY
TO CHASE GIRLS TO GET THEM WET.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Keyword(s): DYNGUS DAY ; WATER
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus |
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
POEM
LITTLE MARY DRANK SOME WATER/
NOW SHE IS NO MORE./FOR WHAT SHE TOOK FOR H2O WAS H2SO4
Submitter comment:
SHE GAVE ME THIS LITTLE DITTY, QUITE A POPULAR WAY TO
REMEMBER THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THEM.
Where learned: NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): EUPHEMISM ; FUNCTION ; WATER AND SULPHURIC ACID
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
KING KAHMAI MAI
IN HAWAII, ON THE ISLAND OF PAUI, THERE IS AN UPSIDE DOWN WATERFALL,
AND THIS IS CAUSED BY THE TRADEWINDS, WHICH PUSH THE FALLING WATERS
UPWARD. THE LEGEND BEHIND THIS DEALS WITH KING KAHMAI MAI, WHO WAS
KING OF THE ISLAND MANY YEARS AGO. IT IS SAID THAT HE DROVE ALL THE
PAGANS OFF THE ISLAND, AND THOSE THAT DID NOT LEAVE WERE SACRIFICED
TO THE GODS BY BEING PUSHED OFF THIS WATERFALL. WHEN ALL OF THE
PAGANS HAD LEFT THE ISLAND, THE KING VOWED THAT NO OTHER MAN WOULD
BE ABLE TO DIE BY JUMPING OFF THIS WATERFALL. UP TO THIS DAY THERE
HAS BEEN NOBODY KILLED FROM JUMPING OFF THE WATERFALL BECAUSE OF THE
STRONG TRADEWINDS, AND THEY SAY THAT THE TRADEWIND IS ACTUALLY
KING KAHMAI MAI FULFILLING HIS PROMISE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; A&P FOOD STORE
Keyword(s): DEAD KING RETURNS AS WIND TO PREVENT SUICIDE FROM WATERFALL.
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Running water |
Date learned: 04-03-1970
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
STORY OF THE STORK
ONE DAY GOD GAVE A MAN A BAG TO CARRY BUT DIDN'T
TELL THE MAN WHAT WAS IN IT. HE TOLD THE MAN TO CARRY THIS BAG
TO A CERTAIN PLACE ON EARTH BUT NOT TO OPEN IT OR LOOK INSIDE.
SO THE MAN TOOK THE BAG BUT GOT CURIOUS AND OPENED IT AND OUT
CAME ALL KINDS OF SNAKES AND FROGS AND WATER ANIMALS.
GOD GOT MAD AND TURNED THE MAN INTO A STORK AND GAVE HIM A LONG
BILL AND LONG LEGS SO HE COULD GO IN SWAMPS AND
GATHER ALL THE ANIMALS HE SET FREE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CREATION ; MYTH ; STORK ; WATER ANIMALS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Creation and Order of Animal Life |
Date learned: 04-07-1972
FATHER BAKER'S MIRACLE
THIS IS A TRUE STORY ABOUT FATHER BAKER'S MIRACLE. FATHER BAKER HAD A
LITTLE CHURCH IN BUFFALO NEW YORK. HE WANTED TO BUILD A NEW CHURCH,
BUT THERE WAS NO MONEY. ONE DAY AFTER CELEBRATING MASS HE TOLD THE
ALTAR BOYS TO FOLLOW THEM. STILL DRESSED IN THE GARB OF THE CHURCH
FATHER BAKER POINTED TO A PLACE IN AN EMPTY FIELD AND SAID "DRILL
HERE FOR OIL," BUT EVERYONE KNEW THERE WAS NO OIL IN THE AREA. ON HIS
INSISTANCE THEY DRILLED, FOUND OIL LESS THAN FIFTY FEET DOWN,
AND THUS FINANCED THE CHURCH.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT WAS A MEMBER OF FATHER BAKER'S PARISH WHERE THE STORY
IS TOLD.
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
James Callow Keyword(s): PRIEST AS OIL WITCH ; WATER WITCH: OIL WITCH
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
LUCK
A SEA SHELL (SEASHELL) PLACED AT THE FRONT DOOR INVITES LUCK
TO ENTER THE HOUSE.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT CAN'T REMEMBER WHEN OR WHERE HE LEARNED
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): HOME, DOMESTIC PURSUITS ; SALTWATER MOLLUSKS
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Wall Partition Door Window BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 11-25-1967
ST JOHNS DAY
ON JUNE 24 OF EVERY YEAR PEOPLE OF THE VILLAGE GO TO THE RIVER TO
BATHE AND GET THEIR HAIR CUT: IT:S GOOD LUCK BECAUSE IT WILL GROW
(JUNE 24 IS SAINT JOHN THE BAPTISTI DAY).
Submitter comment:
THIS CUSTOM IS PRACTICED IN MEXICO. HISTORICALLY IT TIES IN
RELIGIOUS WITH PAGAN CUSTOMS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): BATHE, WATER
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- June 24 St. John's Day / Midsummer Day BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 11-00-1981
MY FATHER USED TO TELL ME THAT THE REASON HE WAS SUCH A
GOOD SWIMMER WAS BECAUSE HE ATE LOTS OF TAPIOCA PUDDING.
HE SAID THAT HE WAS NOT "PUDDING" ME ON, BUT IT WAS REALLY
MADE FROM FISH-EYES.
Submitter comment:
HER FATHER, JOHN ARTHUR "DUTCH" GRUBER, ONCE SWAM ACROSS
THE DETROIT RIVER, AND BACK AGAIN. HE DIED IN 1978.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Pastry Sweet Dessert BELIEF -- Secular hero BELIEF -- Fish BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00001940S
Balinese custom
If water is drunk from a brook or stream that appears to be
magical, it looks like lard, it is called Sleeping Water which
brings great wealth, happiness and health.
Where learned: Bali ; Indonesia
Keyword(s): WATER
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Water BELIEF -- Running water Large current. BELIEF -- Running water Small current. |
Date learned: 00-00-1955