Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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A CURE FOR TUBERCULOSIS.
IN VERACRUZ IT IS BELIEVED THAT TUBERCULOSIS CAN BE CURED BY DRINKIN
THE WARM BLOOD OF A FRESHLY SLAUGHTERED COW..
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): MEXICO
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Animal |
Date learned: 04-00-1980
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AVOID WEARING RED CLOTHES, IT IS THE COLOR THAT ATTRACTS DESIRE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TROY
James Callow Keyword(s): SEX, LUST
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Dress ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Color Design BELIEF -- Color |
IN EUROPE, NO PREGNANT WOMEN WERE ALLOWED IN A BREWERY BECAUSE THEY
WERE BELIEVED TO SPOIL THE BEER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
James Callow Keyword(s): SEXISM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Work Commerce Business Food Drink -- Alcoholic beverage Fermented BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 02-17-1980
NO WOMEN ARE ALLOWED ON A SHIP BECAUSE THEY BRING BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment: THIS WAS A PRACTICED CUSTOM WHEN INFORMANT WAS IN THE NAVY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
James Callow Keyword(s): SEXISM
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- P535 BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 02-17-1980
DETERMINING SEX OF UNBORN CHILD
IF A WOMAN IS PREGNANT WHEN THERE IS A FULL MOON, THEN SHE WILL
BEAR A SON--ANY OTHER SHAPE OF THE MOON WILL RESULT IN A GIRL.
Submitter comment:
IN SICILIAN FAMILIES THE MALE IS THE DOMINANT FIGURE JUST AS THE
FULL MOON APPEARS TO BE MORE POWERFUL THAN ANY OTHER SHAPE OF
THE MOON.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SEXISM
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Moon BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: CA00001950
HARVEST CELEBRATION IN LIBERIA
MANY PEOPLE IN LIBERIA DEPEND ON AGRICULTURE.
AGRICULTURE DEPENDS ALSO ON FAVORABLE WEATHER
CONDITIONS. THERE ARE TWO SEASONS. THE RAINY AND THE
DRY SEASON. IF THERE ISN'T SUFFICIENT RAIN THERE
WOULDN'T BE SUFFICIENT HARVEST AND THE SITUATION TENDS TO
CREATE UNHAPPINESS IN OUR COMMUNITY. WE HAVE DEVELOPED
RITES AND CEREMONIES THAT RELATES TO RURAL LIFE.
HARVEST CELEBRATION IS AN ACTIVITY WHICH
STRENGTHENED COMMUNITY CONSCIOUSNESS AND SOLIDARITY.
THE HARVEST CELEBRATION IS USUALLY CELEBRATED AT THE
BEGINNING OF THE YEAR. IT IS ALSO A FAMILY AFFAIR.
IT IS A TIME WHEN RELATIVES COME TOGETHER TO CELEBRATE THE
NEW YEAR AND TO REFLECT ON THE PAST YEAR. IT IS A TIME
OF HAPPINESS. BEFORE COLONIZATION, FAMILIES WOULD MEET AT THE
HOME OF THE OLDEST MALE RELATIVE.
AN EXAMPLE WOULD BE THE FATHER, GRANDFATHER, A NEPHEW OR
AN UNCLE OR A DISTANT MALE RELATIVE.
FAMILY MEMBERS ARE PRESENT. INDIVIDUALS CAN ONLY BE EXCUSE
IN THE CASE OF DEATH OR SERIOUS ILLNESS.
RELATIVES WHO LIVE FAR AWAY USUALLY ARRIVE AHEAD OF
SCHEDULE; THEY ARRIVE A DAY AHEAD.
ON THE LAST DAY OF THE YEAR, A SMALL CELEBRATION IS HELD.
RELATIVES ARE OFFICIALLY WELCOME, THE OLDEST MALE IS
PRESENTED WITH GIFTS. THE GIFTS CONSISTS OF CORN,
CATTLE, WHEAT OR RICE. THE YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN USUALLY
ARE GATHERED OUTSIDE AND ARE CIRCLED BY
A FIRE. THEY CARRY ON A CONVERSATION. THE GRANDMOTHERS
SIT WITH THE CHILDREN NEAR A FIRE AND TELL FOLKTALES.
ON NEW YEAR'S MORNING, GOATS ARE SLAUGHTERED. THE YOUNG
MEN PREPARE THE GOAT FOR COOKING AND ROASTING. THE
WOMEN TRAVELS INTO THE FOREST TO GATHER WOOD. THE WOMEN
RETURN AND PREPARE THE MEAL FOR THE BIG CELEBRATION.
WHILE THE WOMEN ARE COOKING, THE MEN ARE GATHERED
IN A SPECIAL GROUP TO CONVERSE AND TO DRINK PINEWINE. A PINE IS
SHARED AMONG THE MALES. MATTERS OF VITAL IMPORTANCE
ARE DISCUSSED. VILLAGE IMPROVEMENT IS ALSO DISCUSSED.
THE HARVEST CELEBRATION IS USUALLY READY BY MID_AFTERNOON.
EVERYONE EATS AT THIS TIME. AFTER EVERYONE HAS EATEN,
THE WOMEN ARE LEFT ALONE TO PERFORM THE CLEANING.
THE MEN RETIRE TO ANOTHER LOCATION TO DISCUSS THE NEW YEAR.
AFTER CLEANING THE COOKING UTENSILS AND YARD,
THE WOMEN RETURN AND THE VILLAGE ELDERS
USUALLY PRAISE THE WOMEN FOR THE DELICIOUS MEAL
AND ENCOURAGES EVERYONE TO MAKE A WISH FOR THE NEW YEAR.
AFTER THE PRAISES AND SPEECH BY THE ELDERS,
WOMEN, MEN AND CHILDREN ALIKE ARE JOINED TOGETHER
FOR A FESTIVAL WHICH INCLUDES MUSIC AND DANCE.
AT THE END OF THE MUSIC WHICH USUALLY BRING THE HARVEST
TO AN END, A GRANDPARENT LEADS ALL IN PRAYERS FOR A SAFE
JOURNEY HOME.
THIS BRING A HAPPY AND MEMORABLE CELEBRATION TO AN END.
Submitter comment:
THE CELEBRATION IS HELD DURING THE MONTH OF JANUARY.
WE PARTICIPATE IN THIS FESTIVAL ANNUALLY.
Where learned: LIBERIA ; BONG COUNTY
James Callow Keyword(s): IT IS ALSO SEXES ; SEPARATION OF THE SEXES ; SEXISM
Date learned: 00-00-1968
EASTER MONDAY IN LIBERIA
EASTER MONDAY IS CELEBRATED AS A HOLIDAY IN MONROVIA. SCHOOLS
ARE CLOSED AND MANY GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE BUILDINGS ARE ALSO CLOSED
EASTER MONDAY USUALLY FALLS ON THE SAME MONDAY AS THAT OF THE
UNITED STATES AND OTHER CHRISTIAN NATIONS AROUND
THE WORLD. THE ONLY BIG DIFFERENCE IS THE TIME. THERE IS A FIVE
HOUR TIME DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NEW YORK AND MONROVIA. THEREFORE,
WHEN EASTER CELEBRATION IS BEING HELD IN MONROVIA, PEOPLE ARE
ASLEEP HERE. AFTER FIVE HOURS OF CELEBRATIONS IN MONROVIA
PEOPLE ARE GETTING OUT OF BED HERE IN THE UNITED STATES. THE
CHRISTIANS IN MONROVIA CELEBRATE EASTER MONDAY BECAUSE THEY
BELIEVE THAT IT WAS AFTER THE SUNDAY THAT JESUS CHRIST THE LORD
ROSE FROM THE DEAD. THE SCHOOLS ARE THE MOST ATTRACTIVE PLACE
OF CELEBRATION. ON EASTER MONDAY, STUDENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO WITNESS
A GAME BETWEEN RIVAL SCHOOLMATES. THE RIVAL SCHOOLMATES CONSISTS
OF MALES AND FEMALES. THE GAME TO BE WITNESSED IS CALLED THE
TUG-OF-WAR. THERE ARE THREE PLAYERS ON THE FEMALE TEAM AND
THE NUMBER IS UNEVEN BECAUSE MEN ARE SUPPOSED TO BE PHYSICALLY
STRONGER THAN WOMEN. THIS DOES NOT ALWAYS HOLD TRUE FOR THE MEN AS
THE WOMEN USUALLY WIN THE GAME. THE WOMEN USUALLY GO THROUGH
DIFFERENT FORMS OF EXERCISES SUCH AS KARATE, WRESTLING, JOGGING
AND MUSCLE PULLING FOR ABOUT SIX MONTHS DAILY PRIOR TO THE GAME.
THESE EXERCISES AID THE FEMALES IN THEIR STRUGGLE TO PROVE TO
THE MEN THAT IT MAY OR MAY NOT BE TRUE THAT MEN ARE SUPERIOR
TO THE WOMEN; WHAT IS DEFINITELY CERTAIN IS THAT TRADITIONALLY,
IN THE SIGHT OF GOD ALL IS EQUAL. THIS IS TRUE BECAUSE THE FEMALES
USUALLY WORK HARD TO PROVE THIS POINT. THE FEMALE CONTESTANTS
ARE VERY LARGE WOMEN ALSO. ABOUT SIX FEET TALL. A WOMAN OF PETITE
BUILD WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE. THE SIZE AND HEIGHT
ARE PRESENTED TO THE SPECTATORS TO SHOW THAT WOMEN SHOULD
NOT BE TAKEN FOR GRANTED. WHENEVER THE MALES LOSE THE GAME IT
IS AND CAUSES LOT OF HUMILIATIONS FOR THEM UNTIL THE FOLLOWING
YEAR. ON THE FOLLOWING YEAR, ABOUT TWO DAYS BEFORE GOOD FRIDAY,
A REMATCH IS SCHEDULED. AT THIS TIME INSTEAD OF THE GAME
THEY THEN GET INVOLVED INTO A SPELLING CONTEST. THE WINNER OF
THE CONTEST IS THEN AWARDED WITH A CHECK OF 50 DOLLARS FROM
HIS SCHOOL AND THE FEMALE'S SCHOOL. THE MALES ARE ALSO
INTRODUCED TO A CRASH COURSE CALLED LEARNING AWARENESS.
THE CRASH COURSE IS SIMPLY AN EDUCATIONAL COURSE TO PROVE TO
THE MALE STUDENTS THAT MEN ARE NOT SUPERIOR TO FEMALES
INTELLECTUALLY. THE SUBJECT OF EASTER MONDAY FITS WELL INTO
THE REALM OF FOLKLORE, ESPECIALLY FROM THE STANDPOINT OF
CUSTOM. IT ALSO FITS WELL BECAUSE IT IS STILL PRACTICED TODAY
AND MANY MEN STILL FEEL THAT THEY ARE SUPERIOR TO WOMEN BY
PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES AND INTELLIGENCE.
Submitter comment: THE SPELLING CONTEST IS USUALLY HELD TWO DAYS PRIOR TO GOOD FRIDAY.
Where learned: LIBERIA ; MONROVIA
James Callow Keyword(s): SEPARATION OF THE SEXES ; SEXISM
Date learned: 00-00-1968
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POLISH PROVERB
IN THE OLD STOVE, THE DEVIL IS BURNING.
TRANSLATION OF
W STARYM PIECU DIABEL PALI. (POLISH)
Submitter comment:
THE CONTEXT IS INTERESTING. IT IS GENERALLY APPLIED TO AN OLDER MAN
WHO SHOWS INTEREST IN A YOUNGER GIRL OR GIRLS.
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): ASSONANCE ; OBSERVATION
James Callow Keyword(s): OLD AGE DOES NOT RULE OUT AMOROUS INCLINATIONS. ; SYMBOL: FIERY DEVIL FOR SEXUAL INTEREST
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Devil Demon PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
MY FIRST EXPERIENCE
THE SKY WAS DARK, THE MOON WAS HIGH,
WE WERE ALONE, JUST HER AND I.
HER HAIR WAS SO SOFT, HER EYES SKY BLUE,
I KNEW JUST WHAT I HAD TO DO.
I DIDN'T KNOW HOW, BUT I DID MY BEST.
I RAN MY FINGERS DOWN HER SPINE
I PUT MY HAND AGAINST HER BREAST.
I'LL NEVER FORGET MY BEATING HEART,
AS SHE SLOWLY SPREAD HER LEGS APART.
NOW ITS ( IT'S ) DONE--ITS ( IT'S ) OVER NOW
MY FIRST EXPERIENCE MILKING A COW.
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): ALLITERATION ; ANTICLIMAX ; HUMOR ; MONOLOGUE ; SURPRISE ENDING
James Callow Keyword(s): PRETENDED OBSCENE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Prose Narrative C820.660 |
Date learned: 09-30-1970
WELLERISM
"I SEE", SAID THE BLIND MAN TO THE DEAF MAN OVER
THE TELEPHONE.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A WELLERISM, IT'S HARD TO IMAGINE A DEAF
MAN LISTENING AND A BLIND MAN SEEING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): CONTRADICTIONS ; PARADOX
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Wellerism Quotation |
Date learned: 00-00-1975
WELLERISM
BY GEORGE, SAID PAUL, WHILE SITTING ON THE JOHN. WHERE DID MY
RING GO?
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A WELLERISM-LIKE DEVICE SINCE THERE IS NO HUMOROUS
QUOTATION FOLLOWING. IT IS ALSO SIMILAR TO A TOM SWIFTIE, BUT
THERE IS NO ADVERBIAL PUN. THIS SAYING CONTAINS ALL FOUR OF THE
BEATLES' NAMES - GEORGE, PAUL, JOHN, RINGO - INCORPORATED IN ONE
SENTENCE. JOHN IS USED AS A SLANG FOR TOILET. GEORGE IS USED AS
A SIGN OF EXCLAMATION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALLEN PARK
James Callow Keyword(s): NAME (GEORGE) IN EXCLAMATION ; SLANG: JOHN FOR TOILET
| Subject headings: | Person / Nickname PROVERB -- Wellerism Quotation |
Date learned: 10-00-1980
DISGUST SAYING
FOR CRYING OUT LOUD}
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
James Callow Keyword(s): EXCLAMATION
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00-00-1970
DISGUST SAYING
FOR HEAVENS SAKES}
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
James Callow Keyword(s): EXCLAMATION
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00-00-1970
DON'T LET A WOMAN IN YOUR HOUSE ON NEW YEAR'S BECAUSE SHE WILL BRING
BAD LUCK
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SEXISM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 11-05-1980