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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

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THE ETERNAL WATCH

EMPEROR FREDERICK BARBARROSSA'S SPIRIT KEEPS WATCH OVER THE
GERMAN PEOPLE FROM HIS SUPPOSED RESTING PLACE AT THE
KHYFFAUSER CASTLE IN THURINGIA. A FLOCK OF RAVENS KEEP A
CONSTANT VIGIL OVER HIS GRAVE. WHEN THEY ARE GONE, THIS MEANS
THAT BARBARROSSA'S SPIRIT HAS LEFT THE GRAVE, AND IS ROAMING
GERMANY TRYING TO LEAD HER IN TIMES OF PERIL. IT IS SAID
THAT THE RAVENS WERE GONE DURING THE TIME OF THE "WELT DRIEGS."
THIS MEANS THAT THE "HEMICHEKAISER" WAS GONE FROM HIS TOMB.

Submitter comment:

MR. STOERKEL IS GERMAN AND THE SOURCES ARE TRADITIONAL TRANSMISSION.

Data entry tech comment:

SPELLING CORRECTED BY KEYPUNCHER

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Mount Clemens

Keyword(s): Castle ; Germany ; GHOST ; Legend ; SPIRIT ; Tomb

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Secular hero
BELIEF -- Bird

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LEGEND OF THE MAD MAN.

IN MY CHILDHOOD, I SPENT TWO WEEKS AT THE BOYS' CLUB CAMP
FOR FOUR CONSECUTIVE YEARS. EVERY STAY WAS OCCASIONED BY THE
RUMOR THAT IT WAS NOT SAFE TO WALK IN CAMP ALONE AT NIGHT
BECAUSE A MAN HAD ESCAPED FROM A NEARBY MENTAL
INSTITUTION OR JAIL (IT VARIED) AND
THE CONVICT DID NOT LIKE LITTLE BOYS.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: OHIO ; TOLEDO

Keyword(s): Escaped ; Institution ; JAIL ; Legend ; Mad Man ; Mental Institution ; Urban Legend

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate
BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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EVIL AVERTING CUSTOM

"AT CHRISTMAS TIME, IT IS A CUSTOM IN GERMANY TO HAVE DUCK AND
SAUERKRAUT, SOME STOLLEN--WHICH IS A FRUIT AND NUT COFFEE CAKE, AND
SOME BEER TO DRINK WHILE SONGS ARE SUNG. WHEN YOU DO THIS,
YOUR FAMILY WILL HAVE GOOD HEALTH AND HAPPINESS ALL YEAR."

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD

Keyword(s): CHRISTMAS ; DRINK ; EVIL ; FOOD ; FOOD CUSTOM ; GERMAN ; Germany ; holiday ; LUCK ; LUCK ; tradition

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Menus

Date learned: 02-04-1968

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DRINK

IN GERMANY AT CHRISTMAS THEY MAKE A SPECIAL HOT AND VERY SPICY
RED WINE, MADE WITH CLOVE AND CINNAMON, AND HERBS--FOR THE
HOLIDAY SEASON.

Submitter comment:

INFORMANT ACTUALLY HAD THIS AT A PRIVATE HOME IN GERMANY.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; TV STUDIO ; TOLD AT

Keyword(s): CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; DRINK ; Germany ; holiday

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Single dishes

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ON CHRISTMAS EVE A GERMAN CUSTOM IS TO EAT WINE SOUP WITH
PUMPERNICKEL IN IT.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIBRARY ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): CUSTOM ; ETHNIC ; FOOD ; GERMAN ; Pumpernickel ; Soup ; Stew ; tradition ; Wine

Subject headings: 122 Christmas

Date learned: 03-04-1971

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CHRISTMAS COFFEECAKE

THERE IS A GERMAN COFFEECAKE MADE EVERY YEAR AT THE CHRISTMAS
SEASON. IT IS CALLED KRANTZ WHICH MEANS "WREATH". IT IS SHAPED
LIKE A WREATH, WITH THE DOUGH TWISTED TOGETHER.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: OAKLAND UNIVERSITY

Keyword(s): Cake ; CHRISTMAS ; Coffee ; CUSTOM ; ETHNIC ; FOOD ; GERMAN ; holiday ; tradition ; Wreath

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Pastry

Date learned: NOT RECORDED

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SLEEP BELIEF

IF YOU CAN NOT GO TO SLEEP AT NIGHT THE SAND
MAN WILL COME AND PUT SAND IN YOUR EYES TO MAKE YOU SLEEP.
IN THE MORNING YOU MAY FIND A GRITTY DEPOSIT IN THE CORNER OF
YOUR EYE. THIS IS SOME OF THE SAND HE USED TO PUT YOU TO SLEEP.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; ETIOLOGY ; Lore ; Sandman ; SLEEP ; SUPERSTITION ; Tale

James Callow Keyword(s): ETIOLOGY

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Home
BELIEF -- Measure of time Sleeping

Date learned: 02-19-1968

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MENSTRUAL BELIEF-WINE PREPARATION

WHEN WE MADE WINE IN THE OLD COUNTRY, IF A WOMAN
WHO HAD HER MENSTRUAL PERIOD CAME AROUND OR WAS NEAR THE PLACE
WHERE THE WINE WAS BEING MADE, THE WINE WOULD ALWAYS GO SOUR.

Submitter comment:

INFORMANT WAS A FIRM BELIEVER IN THIS.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; OAK PARK

Keyword(s): Feminist ; Grapes ; MENSTRUATION ; Period ; Sour ; Wine ; Woman

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal

Date learned: 01-24-1972

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TOURIST NAMING

THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY RUN VARIOUS TOURS THROUGH ITS ROUGE
PLANT, MR. BARRY IS THE SENIOR GUIDE ON THE STAFF.
OF COURSE PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD HAVE TAKEN THE FORD TOUR.
THE GUIDE STAFF TENDS TO GIVE THE VARIOUS GROUPS PET NAMES.
ONCE MR. BARRY HAD A FARM PARTY FROM INDIANA, AND THEIR NAME
WAS HERMAN, WELL THE NAME STUCK, AND WHENEVER ANYONE WITH A
FARM OR BUMPKIN APPEARANCE TAKES A TOUR, THE GUIDES REFER TO
THEM AS HERMANS.

Submitter comment:

THUS THE INFORMANT INVENTED THE TERM AND IT HAS BECOME A
TRADITIONAL WORD.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

Keyword(s): Bumpkins ; ETYMOLOGY ; Hermans ; Museum ; Nickname ; Tour ; Tourist

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Explanation of a name

Date learned: SUMMER 00001963

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CHRISTMAS BELIEF

NO CHRIST CHILD IN THE MANGER BEFORE CHRISTMAS EVE.

Submitter comment:

SHE WILL NOT PUT THE FIGURE IN THE MANGER BEFORE THEN.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

James Callow comment:

Meaning?

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Christ ; CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; holiday ; MANGER ; RELIGION ; SYMBOL

Subject headings: Custom
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F122
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Manger scenes
BELIEF -- Religious hero

Date learned: 01-20-1971

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COURTSHIP BELIEF

IF YOUR SLIP IS HANGING, IT MEANS YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A BOYFRIEND.

Submitter comment:

INFORMANT DIDN'T REMEMBER SOURCE.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): Boyfriend ; COURTSHIP ; Fashion ; Female ; Girl ; Mate ; SIGN ; Single ; SLIP ; SYMBOL ; Woman

Subject headings: Custom
BELIEF -- Marriage Dating Courtship

Date learned: 06-29-1964

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SUPERSTITION PERTAINING TO WOMEN AND CHICKEN

A WOMAN MUST NOT EAT CHICKEN LEST HER CHILDREN BECOME
FLIGHTY HEARTED LIKE THE BIRDS. THIS ABSTINENCE IS REQUIRED
THROUGHOUT HER ENTIRE LIFE NOT JUST DURING PREGNANCY.

Submitter comment:

THE SUPERSTITION IS PROPER TO THE BATOORO TRIBE OF ABOUT
100,000 PEOPLE IN UGANDA. THE SUPERSTITION IS DYING OUT
WITH INCREASED EDUCATION.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): Batooro Tribe ; BEHAVIOR ; Chicken ; CHILD ; CHILDREN ; Consume ; Eat ; Fetus ; Flighty ; FOOD ; MOTHER ; PREGNANCY ; SUPERSTITION ; Uganda ; Woman

James Callow Keyword(s): AFRICA ; ANIMAL ; HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC ; SEXISM

Subject headings: Daily Life
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222.
Food Drink -- Meat Bird Poultry

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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HOUSEHOLD SUPERSTITON

IN MEXICO, WHEN PASSING SALT TO SOMEONE AT THE TABLE, PUT IT
ON THE TABLE, IF YOU HAND IT TO THE ASKER, YOU WILL FIGHT

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Culture ; CUSTOM ; ETHNIC ; FIGHT ; MANNERS ; Mexican ; MEXICO ; Salt ; Sobra Mesa ; SUPERSTITION ; Table

James Callow Keyword(s): DIRECTION ; POSITION

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Home
BELIEF -- Mineral
BELIEF -- Home
BELIEF -- P86O
SPEECH -- Gesture

Date learned: 02-04-1968

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BELIEF

NEVER THANK PEOPLE FOR ANY FLOWERS THAT THEY MAY GIVE YOU
OR THE FLOWERS WILL NEVER GROW.

Submitter comment:

INFORMANT HEARD THIS WHEN A YOUNG GIRL,1915, BUT
BUT DOES NOT BELIEVE IT NOW.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; FLOWERS ; GIFT ; GROWTH ; MANNERS ; SUPERSTITION ; Thanks

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank

Date learned: 10-02-1971

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GERMAN CUSTOM

ON DECEMBER 6 THE GERMANS PUT THEIR STOCKINGS OUT,
AND THIS IS IN THE OLD CHRISTMAS TRADITION. IF
THE CHILD IS GOOD, HE RECEIVES ALL KINDS OF GOOD
THINGS, BUT IF HE IS A BAD CHILD, HE RECEIVES TWO
LUMPS OF COAL.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): Celebrate ; CUSTOM ; GERMAN ; holiday ; Nicholas ; Saint ; St. Nick ; tradition

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 6 Feast of St. Nicholas

Date learned: 11-00-1968

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Don't Allow

DON'T ALLOW A LADY TO BE THE FIRST TO COME TO YOUR HOUSE ON NEW
YEAR'S DAY.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; COLUMBIA

Keyword(s): Guest ; Lady ; New Year ; SEXISM ; Visitor ; Woman

James Callow Keyword(s): SEXISM

Subject headings: 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually.
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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CHRISTMAS CUSTOM

IF THE FIRST PERSON TO COME THROUGH THE DOOR OF YOUR HOUSE ON
CHRISTMAS EVE IS A DARK HAIRED MAN YOU WILL HAVE GOOD LUCK IN THE
YEAR TO COME.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; CHRISTMAS ; COLOR ; GOOD LUCK ; HAIR ; holiday ; LUCK ; Man ; OMEN ; SYMBOL

James Callow Keyword(s): FIRST FOOTING

Subject headings: 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually.
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20
BELIEF -- Good luck P881.42

Date learned: 00001930S

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OMENS

IF A GENTLEMAN LETS A LADY WALK ON THE CURB SIDE, IT MEANS
THAT HE HAS HER FOR SALE.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES

Keyword(s): CHIVALRY ; Curb ; Gentleman ; Lady ; Ownership ; SALE ; SIGN ; Signal ; Walk ; WALKING

Subject headings: Observation
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank

Date learned: 02-17-1970

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IF A FISHERMAN WENT OUT TO THE OCEAN TO FISH AND SAW A PERSON
HE DID NOT LIKE OR THAT DISLIKED HIM, IT IS SAID THAT
HE SHOULD GO BACK TO SHORE, BECAUSE HE WILL NOT
CATCH ANY MORE FISH THAT DAY.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; CATCH ; Fisherman ; OMEN ; Relationship ; SIGN

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Work Commerce Business

Date learned: 03-00-1971

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A male being the first person to enter your house on New
Year's Day would mean that you and your home would be blessed
with good fortune all year.

James Callow comment:

See Hand, North Carolina, nos. 3886, 3889-3890.

Where learned: GEORGIA

Keyword(s): BLESSING ; Guest ; Home ; Host ; LUCK ; Male ; Man ; New Year ; SIGN ; SUPERSTITION

James Callow Keyword(s): SEXISM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's

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