RE:SEARCH logo
University of Detroit Mercy Libraries / Instructional Design Studio
UDM HOME BLACKBOARD MY UDMERCY
RESEARCH HOME / FIND / SPECIAL COLLECTIONS / THE JAMES T. CALLOW FOLKLORE ARCHIVE /
James Callow Folklore Archive

Collection Home

About Dr. James T. Callow

Dr. James T. Callow publications

Collectors

Browse by

Subject heading

Keyword

Location

Questions or comments on this site? Please email davidsor@udmercy.edu.

The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

search for

Content filter is on

Your search for I returned 9981 results.

prev | items
| next

POLISH RELIGIOUS CUSTOM SWIECZONKA--BLESSING OF FOOD

FOOD, CONSISTING OF FRESH SAUSAGE, HAM, SALT, PEPPER, COOKED EGGS,
CAKES, FANCY SWEETBREADS AND BREAD, ARE ( IS ) TAKEN TO CHURCH HOLY
SATURDAY MORNING AND THE PRIEST BLESSES EACH BASKET. PURPOSE OF THIS
CEREMONY IS TO HAVE THIS BLESSED FOOD EASTER SUNDAY TO BEGIN THE
PASCHAL SEASON WITH THE NEW RISEN CHRIST.

Where learned: OHIO ; Sylvania

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM ; SWIECZONKA

Subject headings: 663 Holy Saturday
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday
BELIEF -- Prayer

Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

View just this record

EASTER CUSTOMS

BASKETS FULL OF CANDY ARE PREPARE(D) THE DAY BEFORE EASTER AND ARE
TAKEN TO THE CHURCH TO BE BLESSED. A LITTLE PIECE OF EVERYTHING MUST
BE EATEN THAT DAY. ALSO, A LITTLE HORSERADISH MUST BE EATEN ON
EASTER.

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM ; SWIECZONKA

Subject headings: 663 Holy Saturday
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday

Date learned: 11-00-1968

View just this record

EASTER CUSTOM

ON EASTER SATURDAY, IN OUR SLOVENIAN PARISH, BASKETS OF FOOD (HOME-
MADE BREAD, EASTER EGGS, SAUSAGE, HAM, POTICA--A TYPE OF NUTBREAD--)
ARE TAKEN TO THE CHURCH TO BE GIVEN A SPECIAL BLESSING. THIS FOOD
IS THEN EATEN FOR BREAKFAST ON EASTER SUNDAY, MONDAY, AND TUESDAY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM ; SWIECZONKA

Subject headings: 663 Holy Saturday
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter eggs
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Tuesday Revenge Day
BELIEF -- Prayer

Date learned: 10-02-1967

View just this record

EASTER CUSTOM (POLISH)

DIFFERENT FOODS: BREAD, CAKE, COLORED EGGS, HAM, SALT, PEPPER, ETC.
ARE PLACED IN A BASKET AND TAKEN TO THE CHURCH ON THE SATURDAY BEFORE
EASTER WHERE THEY ARE BLESSED BY A PRIEST. THEY ARE THEN PLACED ON
THE TABLE ON EASTER WITH THE OTHER FOOD. ( THIS ) CUSTOM ORIGINATED
IN SMALL VILLAGES WHERE THE PRIEST USED TO VISIT THE HOUSES OF THE
PARISHIONERS ON EASTER TO BLESS THE TABLE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GARDEN CITY

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM ; SWIECZONKA

Subject headings: 663 Holy Saturday
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter eggs
BELIEF -- Prayer

Date learned: 00-00-1950

View just this record

EASTER CUSTOM

ON HOLY SATURDAY OF EASTER WEEK, EACH FAMILY TAKES A BASKET OF FOOD
TO CHURCH TO BE BLESSED. ALL THE FOOD IS PRE-PREPARED: HARD BOILED
EGGS, BREAD, SAUSAGE, HAM, SALT AND PEPPER, BUTTER AND HORSERADISH.
THE NEXT MORNING, ALL OF THE BLESSED FOOD IS EATEN. THE FATHER
CHOPS UP THE EGG INTO AS MANY PIECES AS THERE ARE MEMBERS OF THE
FAMILY, AND DISTRIBUTES THEM TO BE EATEN.

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): FAMILY UNITY ; FOOD CUSTOM ; SWIECZONKA

Subject headings: 663 Holy Saturday
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday

Date learned: 11-02-1969

View just this record

HOLY SATURDAY

A POLISH TRADITION, WHICH IS CELEBRATED ON HOLY SATURDAY, IS OBSERVED
DURING EASTER WEEK. ON THIS DAY THE ENTIRE FAMILY ABSTAINS FROM FOOD
UNTIL DINNER TIME, WHERE ( WHEN ) THE FAMILY IS SERVED A MODERATE
DINNER OF FISH AND POTATOES. AFTER DINNER THE FAMILY EATS A PIECE
OF ANGEL BREAD (A LIGHT WAFER), AND EXCHANGES A PIECE WITH EVERYONE
ELSE AT THE TABLE. THIS REPRESENTS THE NEW LIFE WHICH IS COMING ON
EASTER SUNDAY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): FAMILY UNITY ; FOOD CUSTOM ; SYMBOL

Subject headings: 663 Holy Saturday
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday

Date learned: 03-17-1970

View just this record

BLESSING OF FOOD

FOOD IS BLESSED BEFORE EASTER BECAUSE IT IS A BLESSING OF THE FIRST
FRUITS OF THE SEASON, OR IN A CHRISTIAN SENSE, OF A NEW LIFE WITH THE
RISEN CHRIST. IT IS COMMON IN THE SLAVIC COUNTRIES AND IN SOME
MIDDLE-EAST COUNTRIES.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): SWIECZONKA ; SYMBOL

Subject headings: 663 Holy Saturday
BELIEF -- Prayer

Date learned: 01-17-1968

View just this record

"ANGEL BREAD"

ON EASTER EVE, IT IS A POLISH CUSTOM TO PASS A LOAF OF WAFER BREAD
AROUND TO EACH MEMBER OF THE FAMILY. EACH MEMBER TAKES A PIECE OF
BREAD AND EATS IT. IT IS A GESTURE OF UNITY AMONG THE FAMILY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): FAMILY UNITY ; FOOD CUSTOM ; SYMBOL

Subject headings: 663 Holy Saturday

Date learned: 09-22-1969

View just this record

CUSTOM

ON EASTER MORNING, WHEN THE CHURCH BELLS RING, THE MOTHERS BATHE
THEIR BABIES SO IF THEY ARE FRIGHTENED OF ANYTHING, THE FRIGHT WILL
BE WASHED AWAY.

Where learned: HOME

Keyword(s): bathing ; HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC ; WASHING ; WATER

Subject headings: Favorites
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting F663.12
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday

Date learned: 11-11-1967

View just this record

To find water that is hidden below ground, hold two willow
branches (or two coat hangers which have been straightened
and then bent into an "L" shape) loosely in your hands. As
you pass over water, the sticks/wires will cross over one
another. When you move past the water, the sticks/wires will
uncross.

Submitter comment: Elaine swears that her father has been able to discover
water by this method many times. She herself, being skeptical,
tried it and the procedure worked. Elaine has so much faith
in her father's ability, that she plans to have him locate a
new spot to drill a second well on her northern Michigan
property, since the well she has now is sluggish.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

Keyword(s): DIVINATION ; dowsing ; PREDICTION ; WATER WITCHING

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Water
BELIEF -- Use of Object

Date learned: 00001972CA

View just this record

LITHUANIAN EASTER CUSTOM

ON EASTER SUNDAY MORNING, LITHUANIAN YOUNGSTERS STRIKE EACH OTHER
WITH HAY TO AWAKEN THEIR SOULS TO THE NEW RELIGIOUS YEAR THAT IS
BEGINNING.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): RITUAL WHIPPING ; SYMBOL

Subject headings: Favorites
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday

Date learned: 11-16-1969

View just this record

CUSTOM

ON EASTER MORNING, APPROXIMATELY 5:00 A.M., THE PRIEST APPROCHES
( APPROACHES ) THE FRONT DOOR OF THE CHURCH AND KNOCKS 3 TIMES
WITH A CRUCIFIX.

Submitter comment: (THIS IS A SIGN THAT CHRIST HAS RISEN WHEN THE DOOR IS OPENED LIKE
THE TOMB WAS OPENED.)

Where learned: HOME

Keyword(s): SYMBOLIC ACTION

Subject headings: DRAMA -- Religious
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday

Date learned: 10-00-1968

View just this record

ROUTINE ACTIVITY

INFORMANT STATED THAT CERTAIN TIMES EACH DAY WERE DESIGNATED AS
PERIODS OF SILENCE. HOWEVER, ON CHRISTMAS, EASTER, AND PENTECOST,
THE COMMUNITY OBSERVED GRAND CONGE DAY. ON THESE THREE DAYS THE
SISTERS COULD FEEL FREE TO TALK ALL DAY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; SAINT RITAS CONVENT

Keyword(s): VOW OF SILENCE

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below.
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Pentecost

Date learned: 03-01-1970

View just this record

EASTER

IF THE FIRST PERSON WHO WALKS IN THE DOOR ON EASTER IS A MAN, IT'S
BAD LUCK; IF IT'S A WOMAN, IT'S GOOD LUCK.

Where learned: TELEPHONE ; TOLD BY

Keyword(s): FIRST FOOTING ; LUCK

Subject headings: 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually.
Favorites
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday
BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance

Date learned: 03-07-1970

View just this record

POLISH EASTER

ON EASTER MORNING, THE FAMILY WOULD ALWAYS HOPE FOR ITS FIRST VISITOR
TO BE A VERY YOUNG PERSON OR A CHILD AS THAT WOULD DENOTE THAT GOOD
FORTUNE WOULD FOLLOW ALL YEAR.

Submitter comment: LEARNED IN POLAND

Where learned: STORE

Keyword(s): FIRST FOOTING ; LUCK

Subject headings: 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually.
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday
BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance

Date learned: 09-27-1967

View just this record

"WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT ME FOR? I DIDN'T COME TO STAY. I ONLY CAME
TO TELL YOU THIS IS EASTER DAY."

Submitter comment: THIS IS A GREETING BY THE CHURCH DEACON TO THE CONGREGATION AT
EASTER MASS.

Where learned: WORK ; TOLD AT

Keyword(s): RITUAL SPEECH

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Custom Festival C840.663
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Speech Speech
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday

Date learned: 10-30-1971

View just this record

FORMULA SPEECH;

ON EASTER SUNDAY, ONE ROMANIAN, INSTEAD OF SAYING "HELLO," SAYS
"CHRIST HAS RISEN." THE OTHER PERSON RESPONDS, "HE HAS RISEN
INDEED."

Submitter comment: INFORMANT SAID THAT THIS HAS BEEN THE CUSTOM FOR GENERATIONS. SHE
DOES NOT KNOW WHY IT IS DONE EXCEPT POSSIBLY TO STRESS THE THEME
OF THE SEASON.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): GREETING ; RITUAL SPEECH

Subject headings: Favorites
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday
SPEECH -- Formula

Date learned: 11-16-1971

View just this record

SALUTATION

THE UKRAINIAN TRADITIONAL GREETING FOR THE EASTER SEASON IS
"KHRYSTOS VOSKRES" (CHRIST IS RISEN) TO WHICH THE REPLY IS, "VOISTYNO
VOSKRES" (HE IS RISEN INDEED). THIS SALUTATION SUPERCEDES (SIC) ALL
FROM EASTER MORNING TO ASCENSION DAY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

Keyword(s): RITUAL SPEECH

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Ascension Day

Date learned: 10-00-1970

View just this record

TOAST

( POLISH WORD OMITTED BECAUSE ALPHABET COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED ) --
(ENGLISH TRANSLATION "WAFER"). THIS IS BOTH A CHRISTMAS EVE AND
EASTER CUSTOM, BUT IS PRIMARILY RESERVED FOR THE POLISH LENTEN MEAL
AT EASTERTIME. THE CUSTOM IS THAT AT THIS MEAL THE OLDEST MEMBER OF
THE IMMEDIATE FAMILY (IN INFORMANT'S CASE, HIS GRANDFATHER) CRACKS
OFF A BIT OF THIS SPECIAL WAFER AND GIVES IT TO THE PERSON NEXT TO
HIM WISHING THEM ( HIM ) "GOOD HEALTH", "HAPPINESS", ETC.

Where learned: TELEPHONE ; TOLD BY

Keyword(s): FAMILY UNITY ; FOOD CUSTOM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday
Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals
SPEECH -- Formula

Date learned: 11-02-1971

View just this record

prev | items
| next

University of Detroit Mercy
4001 W. McNichols Detroit , MI , 48221-3038
This site is endorsed by the University of Detroit Mercy (UDM) and supports the views, values, and mission of UDM. The University of Detroit Mercy web site provides links to other web sites, both public and private, for informational purposes. The inclusion of these links on UDM's site does not imply endorsement by the University. Please contact the Associate Dean for Technical Services and Library Systems for any questions regarding this web site.