Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for CUSTOM returned 579 results.
CHRISTMAS FOOD CUSTOM
BEFORE CHRISTMAS OR EASTER DINNER, A WAFER
IS BROKEN AND PASSED AROUND THE FAMILY TO
INSURE UNITY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82 |
Date learned: 12-01-1967
POLISH CUSTOM
BEFORE THE CHRISTMAS MEAL EACH
PARTAKER TAKES A PIECE OF EACH OTHER'S
CHRISTMAS WAFER AND WISHES HIM
GOOD LUCK.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share the same surname.
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82 |
Date learned: 12-01-1967
POLISH CHRISTMAS CUSTOM - BREAKING OF "OPLATEK" (ANGEL BREAD)
BREAKING OF THIS OPLATEK WITH FRIENDS AND RELATIVES
AT CHRISTMAS FOR THE PURPOSE OF WISHING EACH
OTHER GOOD TIDINGS AND BLESSINGS FOR THE NEW YEAR.
EACH ONE SAYS TO THE OTHER "WESOLI SWIAT
BOZEGO NARODZENIA I SCZELIWEGO NOWEGO ROKU."
Where learned: OHIO ; Sylvania
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82 |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR.
CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
IT IS CUSTOMARY IN POLISH FAMILIES ON
CHRISTMAS TO OBTAIN A CHRISTMAS WAFER - OPLATKI (OPWATKEY)
AND AT THE DINNER TABLE IT HAS A PIECE BROKEN OFF BY
EACH PERSON AT THE TABLE. IT IS THEN EATEN AS A WISH FOR
A HOLY AND HAPPY HOLIDAY. IT SYMBOLIZES THE COMMUNION
WAFER IN THE CHURCH AS CHRIST'S BODY.
Where learned: TOLD AT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82 |
Date learned: 11-21-1969
CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
A WAFER IS BROKEN AND EATEN BY THE ENTIRE
FAMILY ON CHRISTMAS TO SYMBOLIZE SHARING IN
THE BODY OF CHRIST.
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82 |
Date learned: 11-18-1967
POLISH MARRIAGE BELIEF
ON THE DAY BEFORE ST. ANDREW'S DAY, GIRLS POUR MELTED WAX INTO A PAN
OF WATER. IF A BOUQUET APPEARS SHE WILL RECEIVE A MARRIAGE PROPOSAL
IF A RING APPEARS SHE WILL BE MARRIED IN 9 MONTHS.
Submitter comment: LEARNED IN POLAND.
Data entry tech comment: KEYPUNCHER MADE NECESSARY SPELLING CORRECTIONS.
Where learned: STORE
Keyword(s): CUSTOM WEDDING
| Subject headings: | -- |
Date learned: 11-10-1967
Entry filtered.
IN LATIN COUNTRIES IT IS CUSTOMARY FOR A MAN TO SERENADE
THE WOMAN HE LOVES. IN ANGONE, A TOWN IN THE REGION OF
MOLISE, ITALY, A MAN WILL GATHER SOME OF HIS FRIENDS AND/OR
HIRE SOME MUSICIANS AND SERENADE HIS FIANCE THE NIGHT
BEFORE THE WEDDING. THIS TAKES PLACE AT APPROXIMATELY
9:00 P.M. WHEN THE MEN COME TO SERENADE, THEY BRING A
LADDER,WHEN THEY ARE FINISHED SINGING, THE PARENTS OF
THE BRIDE INVITE THE GROOM AND HIS PARTY TO COME IN FOR REFRESHMENTS. THEY MUST THEN CLIMB THE LADDER IN TO THE
GIRLS BEDROOM. THIS IS A CUSTOM OF WELCOMING THE GROOM TO
THE FAMILY. IN METROPOLITAN AREAS WHERE THE BRIDE MAY LIVE
IN A HIGH RISE APARTMENT, SOME GROOMS HAVE BORROWED FIRE
TRUCKS WITH LADDERS TO CLIMB INTO THE GIRL'S ROOM.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT LEARNED OF THIS CUSTOM WHEN VISITING ITALY.
Where learned: ITALY ; AGNONE ; MOLISE
Keyword(s): SERENADING ; SINGING ; WEDDING CUSTOMS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Serenade Charivari CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Date learned: 00001980S
A CUSTOM PERFORMED AT WEDDINGS IN NAPLES, ITALY, IS
PERFORMED AT THE RECEPTION. THE BEST MAN TAKES THE
GROOM'S TIE AND CUTS IT INTO MANY TINY PIECES. HE THEN SELLS
THE PIECES TO THE GUESTS AT THE WEDDING. HE THEN GIVES ALL
THE MONEY TO THE GROOM.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT SAYS THAT THIS CUSTOM HELPS THE NEWLYWEDS SET
UP HOUSEKEEPING. SHE ALSO SAID THAT MONEY IS USUALLY GIVEN
RATHER THAN A MATERIAL GIFT. IF THE BRIDE OR GROOM'S FAMILY
ARE WELL TO DO, THEY MAY EVEN GIFT THE COUPLE WITH A FLAT
OR AN APARTMENT.
Keyword(s): MONEY ; WEDDING CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Date learned: 00001980S
In slavery times, a couple wishing to be married was required
to jump the broom. If they both successfully jumped over, it was
a sign of a good, long, happy marriage.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): African Wedding customs
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Date learned: 03-00-1978
Custom
Pounding a preacher is a Methodist custom of welcoming a new preacher by having a fellowship supper and at the end surprising him with the homemade gifts each person has brought.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Keyword(s): Covered ; CUSTOM ; Dish ; Fellowship ; FOOD ; Gathering ; GIFTS ; Homemade ; Potluck ; Pounding ; Preacher ; RITUAL ; Supper ; SURPRISE ; tradition
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church |
Custom
Fellowship Supper is a custom that Methodists have of a covered dish supper.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Keyword(s): Community ; Covered ; CUSTOM ; Dish ; Fellowship ; FOOD ; Gathering ; Methodist ; Potluck ; RELIGION ; RITUAL ; Supper
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church |
Wedding Custom
To find out the last initial of the man you'll marry, say the letters of the alphabet as you turn the stem of the apple. (one letter for each turn). The letter it breaks on is the initial.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Keyword(s): ALPHABET ; Apple ; CUSTOM ; Groom ; Initial ; Man ; MARRIAGE ; Marry ; Stem ; WEDDING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Wedding Custom
At a shower for a bride-elect, she wil have the same number of children as ribbons broken.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Keyword(s): Break ; Bridal ; Bride ; Broken ; CHILDREN ; CUSTOM ; Offspring ; Predict ; Ribbons ; Shower ; WEDDING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Maturity |
Custom
Method for pulling out baby teeth: tie string around tooth and other end around door and close door.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Keyword(s): BABY ; CUSTOM ; DENTISTRY ; Door ; Removal ; String ; TEETH ; Tooth
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Home |
PROVERBIAL METAPHOR
WHEN IN ROME, DO AS THE ROMANS DO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CUSTOMS
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Entry filtered.
IF SOMEONE TALKS BEHIND YOUR BACK, SPIT IN
FOUR CORNERS OF A ROOM.
Submitter comment:
HEARD FROM A FRIEND.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; J L HUDSONS COMPANY
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Corners ; CUSTOM ; GOSSIP ; Response ; SPIT ; SUPERSTITION ; TALK
James Callow Keyword(s): DIRECTION ; POSITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Conversions P883.22 |
Date learned: 11-25-1967
Custom
The family of the deceased attends mass for six consecutive weeks. Each week the family brings fruit, candy, or fruit for the entire parish. At the end of the six week period an entire mass is said in memory of the deceased . The family brings wine, three large raisin breads, fruit, and boiled wheat for the parish. This is done to celebrate the first stage of the deceased's ascention into Heaven. The ritual is repeated at six months to celebrate the second stage. After a person has been dead for a period of one year, the ritual is repeated for the last time. This stage signifies that the deceased has ascended into Heaven.
Submitter comment:
Despite revisions in the Orthodox mass, this custom has been preserved. It is considered an important and beautiful ritual. This custom is so old that no one knows how it exactly originated.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Self
Keyword(s): BURIAL ; CUSTOM ; DEATH ; FOOD ; Funeral ; RELIGION ; SYMBOLISM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Custom
Buddhists wear miniature images of buddha around their necks. When displaying the image of the Lord Buddha in the homes or elsewhere, the Thai are careful to place the image high enough so that no human can be at a higher level or walk above the image.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs and BN added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [F538] crossed out. Not replaced with anything.
Submission card was located in pile labeled To Be Classified
Where learned: WHILE STATIONED IN THAILAND
Keyword(s): BUDDHA ; Buddhism ; CUSTOM ; ETHNIC ; RELIGION ; RELIGIOUS ; RELIGIOUS CUSTOM ; SYMBOL ; THAILAND
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Custom BELIEF -- Use of Object Religious objects |