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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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AT EASTER BREAKFAST OR DINNER A THIN WAFER IS DIVIDED AMONG ALL THOSE
PRESENT AT THE TABLE. EACH PERSON BREAKS OFF A PIECE OF WAFER
FROM EACH OTHER. THE WAFER REPRESENTS THE COMMUNION WAFER AND EACH
PERSON RESOLVES TO LIVE A BETTER LIFE WITH THE BEGINNING OF EACH NEW
CHURCH YEAR.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAID THAT SHE PRACTICES THIS EACH TIME SHE HAS RELATIVES
OVER FOR EASTER DINNER. INFORMANT DOES NOT KNOW WHEN IT ORIGINATED
BUT CONSIDERS IT MEANINGFUL AND BEAUTIFUL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FAMILY UNITY ; FOOD CUSTOM ; SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Morning mealsBreakfast |
Date learned: 10-20-1971
POLISH EASTER CUSTOM
FOR EASTER BREAKFAST, THE FATHER TAKES A THIN WAFER WITH A FANCY
DESIGN ON IT. HE BREAKS IT IN HALF, THEN HE TAKES A PIECE. HE
PASSES IT ON TO THE OTHERS AND THEY ALL TAKE A PIECE.
Submitter comment: SHE LEARNED IT FROM HER GRANDMOTHER WHO IS POLISH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CARPOOL ; EAST SIDE
Keyword(s): FAMILY UNITY ; FOOD CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday |
"BREAKING THE OPIATKEJ"
DURING THE HOLIDAYS OF CHRISTMAS AND EASTER, AN EMBOSSED PIECE OF
UNLEAVENED BREAD IS PASSED AROUND THE DINNER TABLE. EACH MEMBER,
STARTING WITH THE HEAD OF THE FAMILY, BREAKS OFF A PARTICLE AND
PARTAKES OF IT. THE OPIATKEJ IS SUPPOSED TO BRING GOOD LUCK AND
WELL-BEING TO THE FAMILY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FAMILY UNITY ; FOOD CUSTOM ; HEALTH ; LUCK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday |
POLISH EASTER CELEBRATIONS
ON EASTER DAY, IT IS A CUSTOM IN POLISH FAMILIES TO BREAK A BREAD
WAFER (LIKE A COMMUNION WAFER) AND PASS THIS WAFER THROUGH THE WHOLE
FAMILY SO THAT EACH MEMBER TRULY COMMEMORATES THE CELEBRATION OF MASS
ON THAT DAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; RATHSKELLER
Keyword(s): FAMILY UNITY ; FOOD CUSTOM ; SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday |
Date learned: 02-27-1968
BREAKING OF BREAD
DURING EASTER, BEFORE DINNER, THE FAMILIES GATHER TOGETHER AND EACH
MEMBER HAS A PIECE OF "ANGEL BREAD" (UNLEAVENED BREAD). THEN EACH
MEMBER BREAKS A PIECE OFF OF EACH OF THE OTHER MEMBERS' PIECE(S)
OF "ANGEL BREAD" WHILE WISHING THEM THE BEST OF EVERYTHING FOR THAT
SEASON, FOLLOWED BY A KISS OR A HANDSHAKE. AFTER EVERYONE HAS
EXCHANGED, THE PIECES ARE EATEN.
IF A MEMBER IS OUT OF TOWN, THE OUT OF TOWNER SENDS A PIECE OF "ANGEL
BREAD" IN A GREETING CARD TO THE FAMILY FOR EXCHANGE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Keyword(s): FAMILY UNITY ; FOOD CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | 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 -- Gesture |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
POLISH EASTER CUSTOM
A HARD-BOILED EGG OR EGGS IS PASSED FROM PERSON TO PERSON AND EACH
ONE TAKES A PIECE. THIS IS A POLISH EASTER CUSTOM.
Submitter comment: THIS IS A POLISH CUSTOM AND A FAMILY TRADITION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FAMILY UNITY ; FOOD CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter eggs CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday |
AN OLD POLISH EASTER CUSTOM
ONE EASTER EGG IS CUT SO THAT EACH FAMILY MEMBER WILL HAVE ONE PIECE.
THE IMPORTANCE OF EVERYBODY'S EATING PART OF THE ONE EGG IS THE
LESSON OF ONENESS AND FAMILY UNITY. THIS CUSTOM IS USUALLY OBSERVED
JUST BEFORE THE BREAKFAST MEAL ON EASTER SUNDAY.
Submitter comment:
MY GRANDMOTHER LEARNED THIS CUSTOM AS A LITTLE GIRL SINCE HER FAMILY
HAD ALWAYS OBSERVED IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
Keyword(s): FAMILY UNITY ; FOOD CUSTOM
EASTER CUSTOM
ON EASTER MORNING THE MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY ASSEMBLE AT THE BREAKFAST
AND ONE HARD-BOILED EASTER EGG IS DIVIDED AMONG THE MEMBERS OF THE
FAMILY.
Submitter comment:
THIS CUSTOM IS PERFORMED EVERY YEAR AND IT IS SUPPOSED TO SIGNIFY
THE UNITY OF THE FAMILY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN HEIGHTS
Keyword(s): FAMILY UNITY
Date learned: 10-20-1970
AMONG UKRAINIANS IT IS CUSTOMARY TO EAT A CEREMONIAL EASTER BREAKFAST
AFTER RESURRECTION SERVICES. BEFORE BREAKFAST BEGINS, THE FATHER
CUTS THE SPECIALLY BLESSED EASTER EGG AND GIVES A PIECE TO EACH
MEMBER OF HIS FAMILY, FROM OLDEST TO YOUNGEST. WHILE DOING THIS HE
SAYS TO EACH ONE--"LET THE MERCIFUL GOD GRANT THAT WE STILL BE
TOGETHER ALIVE AND WELL FOR MANY MORE EASTERS TO COME."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Keyword(s): FAMILY UNITY ; FOOD CUSTOM
Date learned: 10-00-1970
BELIEF IN A CUSTOM ( EASTER )
ON EASTER SUNDAY THE HARD-BOILED DYED EGGS THAT EACH PERSON HAS ARE
CUT INTO PIECES WHICH ARE THEN EXCHANGED AMONG THE PEOPLE AT THE
TABLE--EACH PERSON HAS 1 PIECE OF EVERYONE ELSE'S EGG. THE
SUPERSTITION HAS IT THAT ALL THE PEOPLE AT THE TABLE WILL BE THERE
AGAIN NEXT YEAR.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LEARNED ABOUT IT IN HER CHILDHOOD (1922-29) FROM HER
MOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE ILE
Keyword(s): FAMILY UNITY ; FOOD CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter eggs CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 10-04-1970
SPRING CUSTOM EASTER
SOME UKRANIAN ( UKRAINIAN ) PEOPLE ON EASTER HAVE THE HEAD OF THE
HOUSEHOLD SELECT ONE COLORED EGG AND DIVIDE IT INTO AS MANY PARTS
AS ARE PEOPLE AT THE TABLE. EACH PERSON EATS A PART OF THE EGG. THE
HEAD OF THE HOUSEHOLD DECLARES, "CHRIST HAS RISEN" AND THE OTHERS
REPLY, "INDEED CHRIST HAS RISEN".
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT'S FRIEND SMENA RAKOVSKEY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
WAS UKRANIAN ( UKRAINIAN ) AND HIS FAMILY DID THIS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FAMILY UNITY ; FOOD CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter eggs CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 10-25-1971
EASTER
AFTER MASS ON SUNDAY THE FAMILY GATHERS AROUND THE TABLE AND THE
FATHER IS TO SPLIT ONE HARD BOILED EGG AMONG THE MEMBERS OF THE
FAMILY AND EACH IS TO EAT IT WITH HORSERADISH.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT'S FAMILY PRACTICES THIS ACTIVITY EACH EASTER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FAMILY UNITY ; FOOD CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter eggs CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday |
Date learned: 03-06-1971
EASTER
ON EASTER MORNING, THE HEAD OF THE HOUSEHOLD TAKES ONE COLORED
EASTER EGG AND PEELS IT. HE DIVIDES IT EVENLY FOR AS MANY PEOPLE
LIVING IN HIS HOME AND AFTER RECITING A PRAYER IN SLOVAK, GIVES
EACH PERSON IN HIS HOME A PIECE OF THE EGG. IT SYMBOLIZES
TOGETHERNESS IN THE FAMILY AND THAT GOD WILLING, ALL IN THE FAMILY
WILL LIVE UNTIL NEXT EASTER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
Keyword(s): FAMILY UNITY ; FOOD CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter eggs CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
EASTER CUSTOM
A TRADITION WE WOULD TAKE PART IN AT EASTER WAS THAT THE HEAD OF THE
FAMILY WOULD CUT A BLESSED EGG APART INTO AS MANY PIECES AS MEMBERS
OF HIS FAMILY. EACH WOULD TAKE A PIECE AND WOULD WISH THE BEST AND
FINEST HE COULD THINK OF TO THE REST OF THE FAMILY.
Keyword(s): FAMILY UNITY ; FOOD CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter eggs CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
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
UKRAINIAN CUSTOM
ALL FOOD TO BE EATEN ON EASTER WOULD HAVE TO BE TAKEN TO THE CHURCH
TO BE BLESSED BY THE PRIEST. BLESSING OF THE FOOD TOOK PLACE ONLY ON
EASTER AND NO OTHER HOLIDAY.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT WAS TOLD THIS BY HER MOTHER. SHE NEVER PRACTICED THIS
CUSTOM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; PONTIAC
Keyword(s): SWIECZONKA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday |
Date learned: 10-02-1971
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