Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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SCOTS SUPERSTITION (COLLECTOR'S TITLE) ; BAD LUCK: NEW YEARS (CLASSIFIERS TITLE)
NEVER LET A RED OR LIGHT HAIRED PERSON CROSS YOUR THRESHOLD ON
NEW YEAR'S DAY UNLESS THEY CARRY COAL WITH THEM OR YOU WILL HAVE
BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment: PAT HAND HEARD THIS FROM A NEIGHBOR OF SCOTS DESCENT.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): FIRST FOOTING ; HAIR COLOR
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Color BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.42 |
STORY ABOUT THE DEVIL,S DANCING IN THE WOODS
IT WAS HARVEST TIME AND ALL THE YOUNG FOLK WERE THRASHING THE GRAINS
THAT HAD JUST BEEN HARVESTED.
ONE AUTUMN NIGHT ABOUT 11 O,CLOCK WHILE THEY WERE THRASHING THE GRAIN
THEY HEARD MUSIC COMING FROM THE RAFTERS, THEY LOOKED UP AND SAW
SOME DEVILS DANCING UP IN THE LOFT. THESE DEVILS WERE ALL BLACK AND
ALL THEIR CLOTHING WERE BLACK. THEY DANCED ON ONE LEG AND ONLY HAD
ONE EYE AND ONE NOSTRIL. THE MUSIC WAS PLAYED ON A SMALL ACCORDION
AND FIDDLE.
THE YOUTHS WERE TYPICALLY BRAVE AND BOISTERIOUS AND DECIDED TO TAKE
THE INSTRUMENTS AWAY. THE DEVILS LEFT AT THE FIRST COCKS CROW
(ONE O,CLOCK) WITH A WHISTLE AND A BANG. SO THE NEXT NIGHT THE
YOUTHS , AS THE DEVILS WERE ABOUT TO LEAVE AT THE COCK,S CROW,
KNOCKED ONE INSTRUMENT OUT OF THE HANDS OF THE DEVILS.
BUT WHEN THEY REACHED THE INSTRUMENT IT WAS JUST A LARGE CHARRED
PIECE OF WOOD. THE NEXT NIGHT THE DEVILS CAME BACK AND BEGGED
CKRYVEL, KRYVEL GIVE US BACK OUR FIDDLE" BUT THE YOUTHS DID NOT
RETURN IT. THE TWO YOUTHS WHO HAD TAKEN IT HAD TO PREPARE THE
STOVE FOR DRYING OUT THE GRAINS BEFORE THE THRASHING. THEY THREW THE
CHARRED WOOD INTO THE STOVE BUT IT WOULDN,T BURN. SO THEY WENT TO
BED AND THE NEXT MORNING THE TWO WERE FOUND STRANGLED.
Submitter comment:
THIS STORY WAS TOLD TO MY GRANDMOTHER BT HER GRANDMOTHER WHEN SHE WAS
A CHILD. THE TIME IS APPROXIMATELY THE TURN OF THE CENTURY WHEN THE
STORY WAS TOLD. THE STORY TOOK PLACE AROUND 1850.
SHE TOLD MY GRANDMOTHER THAT SHE ACTUALLY SAW THESE DEVILS.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): DO NOT TAKE THINGS THAT DO NOT BELONG TO YOU -PAYMENT CAN BE COSTLY ; THEFT FORM DEVIL
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon |
THE WERWOLF OF KOTTERN
ONCE UPON A TIME THERE WAS A VERY POOR MAN WHO HAD TWELVE CHILDERN.
HE LIVED IN THE TOWN OF KOTTERN. HE WAS SO POOR THAT HE COULDN,T
AFFORD TO BUY THE WOOD FOR HIS HOME. SO, HE STOLE THE WOOD AND WAS
CAUGHT IN THE ACT. OUT OF FEAR OF SEVERE BODILY PUNISHMENT, HE FLED
TO THE WOODS TO HANG HIMSELF.
SUDDENLY A STRANGER APPEARED AND ASKED THE MAN WHAT HIS TROUBLE WAS.
THE STRANGER LAUGHED AND TOLD THE POOR MAN THERE WAS AN ESAY WAY
TO ESCAPE FROM JUSTICE. ALL HE HAD TO DO WAS BECOME A WOLF.
HE COULD DO THIS BY CONCENTRATING ON THE DEVIL AND COMPLETING
IGNORING GOD. WHEN THE POLICE ARRESTED THE THIEF, HE WOULD
CONCENTRATE ON THE DEVIL AND WOULD IMMEDIATELY CHANGE INTO A WOLF.
THE POLICE WOULD RUN AWAY. THE MAN BEGAN TO ENJOY THE POWER TO
CHANGE INTO A WOLF WHENEVER HE FELT LIKE SCARING SOMEONE. BUT EVERY
NOW AND THEN HIS CHILDREN NOTICED THAT THEIR FATHER SMELLED FROM
BLOOD.
ONE DAY IN BROAD DAY LIGHT, THE MAN GOT THE URGE TO TURN INTO A WOLF
AND HE COULDN,T CONTROL HIMSELF. THE CHILDREN THEN KNEW THEIR FATHER
WAS A WERWOLF.
THAT VERY DAY THE FATHER DISAPPEARED AND HIS FAMILY BECAME
EVEN POORER.
Data entry tech comment: THE KEYPUNCHER HAS CORRECTED THE COLLECTOR,S SPELLING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Keyword(s): PUNISHMENT ONLY TO FIND PUNISHMENT. ; TRANSFORMATION: MAN TRANSFORMED FROM MAN TO WOLF TO SAVE SELF FROM
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Werewolf Vampire |
Date learned: 10-10-1968
KENTUCKY BEAR
THERE WAS A MOTHER AND FATHER IN KENTUCKY WHOSE THREE-YEAR-OLD
DAUGHTER CAME UP MISSING ONE DAY. SHE WAS SEARCHED FOR FOR FOUR DAYS
AND NOT FOUND. ON THE FOURTH DAY A MAN CAME TO HER HOUSE AND TOLD HER
PARENTS THAT HE WOULD SHOW THEM WHERE THEIR DAUGHTER WAS IF THEY
WOULD GIVE HIM A MEAL. THEY FED HIM AND AFTERWARD HE LED THEM INTO
THE WOODS. THE GIRL WAS FOUND NEAR A LOG WHERE A BEAR WAS BRINGING
HER FOOD. THE GIRL SAID THAT THE BEAR HAD BEEN TAKING CARE OF HER AND
FEEDING HER. NOT KNOWING ANY BETTER THE GIRL THOUGHT THE BEAR WAS A
DOG.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ;
Keyword(s): DAUGHTER ; MISTAKEN IDENITY (BEAR THOUGHT TO BE A DOG) ; TO GIVE IS TO RECEIVE--STRANGER GIVEN MEAL FOR SHOWING PLACE OF LOST
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 11-20-1968
JOHN C. WOBBLESQUAW
THIS WAS THE COLDEST WINTER MICHIGAN EVER KNEW, LONG BEFORE THEY
RECORDED TEMPERATURES. JOHN C. LIVED ON A RESERVATION WITH HIS FAMILY
AND FRIENDS. IT WAS SUCH A HARD WINTER THAT THEY RAN OUT OF FOOD AND
WERE IN PRETTY ROUGH SHAPE. SEEING THAT JOHN C. WAS THE STRONGEST,
THEY SENT HIM OUT TO GO HUNTING. THEY HAD SENT OTHERS OUT BEFORE,
BUT THEY DIDN,T GET ANYTHING.
JOHN C. WENT OUT AND HE WAS LOOKING THROUGH THE WOODS AND HE HAD A
FEELING THAT SOMEONE WAS FOLLOWING HIM. HE TURNED AROUND, AND THERE
WAS THIS BIG BLACK BEAR. SO THAT SCARED HIM, SINCE HE NEVER FACED
ONE BEFORE. WELL, HE WAS OUT OF AMMUNITION SINCE HE MISSED OTHER
ANIMALS, SO HE RAN AND RAN UNTIL SWEAT CAME ON HIS FOREHEAD, AND
IT WAS SO COLD THAT IT FROZE RIGHT THERE. HE GOT AN IDEA.
SO HE TOOK THE POWDER OUT OF HIS HORN AND PUT IT IN HIS GUN.
AND HE TOOK A FEW BEADS OF FROZEN PERSPIRATION OFF HIS FOREHEAD AND
PUT THEM IN TOO. THEN HE TURNED AROUND, SHOT THE BEAR, AND HIS
PEOPLE LIVED THROUGH THE WINTER.
Where learned: MARYGROVE COLLEGE ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): AMERICAN INDIAN ; FROZEN BEADS OF SWEAT USED FOR AMMUNITION
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale |
Date learned: 00001968 FALL
TRICKING SPIES
IN WORLD WAR ONE, WHEN SPIES WHO HAD INFILTRATED INTO ENEMY RANKS
WERE CAPTURED. THEY WERE PUT TO THE TEST. WHEN A GERMAN SPY
WHO CLAIMED TO BE FRENCH WAS CAUGHT, HE WAS ASKED TO REPEAT THE
WORD "GRENOUILLE" (FROG), WHICH SHOULD
SOUND SOMEWHAT LIKE GRRUNWEEAH
BUT A GERMAN WOULD ALWAYS SAY GRUNWEEHKH, MAKING A HARSH GUTTURAL
SOUND. SIMILARLY, WHEN A FRENCH SPY WAS CAUGHT BY THE GERMANS, HE
WAS ASKED TO SAY HATHAWAY BUT A FRENCHMAN COULD ONLY SUCCEED IN
SAYING HASSAWAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK ; SAINT MARYS RECTORY
Keyword(s): PRONUNCIATION OF FOREIGN WORDS REVEALS IDENTITY AND NATIONALITY
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Legend |
Date learned: 11-17-1968
NEW YEAR'S CUSTOMS AND CELEBRATIONS
SEVERAL DAYS BEFORE THE NEW YEAR THE CHINESE WILL
PREPARE A PASTRY. THIS IS PREPARED BY THE METHOD OF
STEMMING. IF CHILDREN ASK IF THE PASTRY IS DONE
BEFORE IT IS FULLY COOKED, THE PEOPLE BELIEVE
THAT THE PASTRY WILL NEVER BE FULLY COOKED.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LEARNED THIS IN TAIWAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; 4001 W MCNICHOLS ; LANGUAGE DEPARTMENT
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM ; SPEECH TABU ; STEAMING FOOD
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Winter Food Drink -- Pastry Sweet Dessert |
Date learned: 02-02-1971
NEW YEAR'S CUSTOM
THE FIRST PERSON WHO COMES OVER THE THRESHOLD OF
YOUR HOUSE SHOULD BE A MAN TO BRING GOOD LUCK
TO THE HOUSE-HOLD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FIRST FOOTING ; SEXISM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 BELIEF -- Good luck P881.42 |
Date learned: 09-26-1971
NEW YEAR'S CUSTOM (EUROPEAN)
IN ORDER TO ENSURE ONESELF FOR A GOOD YEAR, IT IS COMMON CUSTOM
IN EUROPE FOR THE HEAD OF A FAMILY TO APPOINT AN OUTSIDER (CLOSE
FRIEND) TO BE THE FIRST ONE TO PUT HIS FOOT IN THE HOUSE. IF
SOMEONE UN-APPOINTED CAME INTO THE HOUSE, THE NEW YEAR WOULD NOT
BE A GOOD ONE.
Where learned: MAILED FROM ENGLAND
Keyword(s): FIRST FOOTING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Fixed DateFor specific dates, use the following system: F640.0101 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 |
Date learned: 03-25-1968
NEW YEAR'S DAY
ON NEW YEAR'S EAT GOURMET FOOD.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT'S FAMILY ALWAYS EATS FRENCH FOODS ON NEW YEAR'S BECAUSE
THEY FEEL THAT IF THEY EAT WELL ON NEW YEAR'S THEN THEY WILL EAT
WELL ALL THROUGH THE YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS ; informant's home
Keyword(s): BLASON POPULAIRE ; FOOD PREDICTION ; FRENCH FOOD
Date learned: 03-05-1971
NEW YEAR'S EVE
IF A STRANGER ENTERS YOUR HOUSE THROUGH THE
BACK DOOR ON NEW YEAR'S EVE YOU'LL HAVE BAD LUCK ALL YEAR.
Submitter comment:
NOT BELIEVED
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share the same surname.
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): DIRECTION ; FIRST FOOTING ; LOCATION ; POSITION
Date learned: 00-00-1968
NEW YEAR'S CUSTOM
IF YOU LAY A BROOM ACROSS THE DOOR-WAY,
THE FIRST PERSON TO PICK IT UP AND GIVE IT
TO YOU WILL BE AN ENEMY OF YOURS THAT YEAR.
Submitter comment:
LEARNED FROM GRANDMOTHER
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FIRST FOOTING
Date learned: 12-06-1967
GOOD LUCK NUT
NUTS ARE PLACED IN DISHES AS PART OF THE CHRISTMAS FEAST CELEBRATION
IN BULGARIA. EVERYONE IN THE HOUSEHOLD RETAINS ONE TO BE SAVED
UNTIL NEW YEARS DAY. EVERYONE THEN BREAKS OPEN THEIR NUT AND THE
CONDITION OF THE INTERIOR INDICATES THE OWNER'S FUTURE FOR THE
COMING YEAR. A SOUND NUT MEAT INDICATES PROSPERITY FOR ITS OWNER,
WHILE A ROTTEN INTERIOR SAYS THE COMING YEAR WILL NOT BE GOOD FOR
ITS OWNER.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT REMEMBERS THIS AS A COMMON PRACTICE OF HIS FAMILY IN
BULGARIA.
Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD AT HENDRICKSONS PHARMACY
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM ; PREDICTION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Single dishes CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Predictions |
Date learned: 03-21-1970
IT IS A UKRAINIAN CUSTOM TO MIX POPPIES AND WHEAT TOGETHER AT
CHRISTMAS TIME. THEN TAKE THE MIXTURE IN A SPOON AND THROW IT IN THE
AIR AND TRY TO CATCH IT. IF YOU CATCH IT, YOU WILL HAVE GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; NORTH QUAD ; DORMS ; TOLD IN
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM ; PREDICTION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Predictions CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Single dishes BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 02-07-1971
IN AN IRISH CHRISTMAS CAKE THERE IS ALWAYS PLACED A GOLD RING SO THAT
WHOEVER EATS THE PIECE OF CAKE AND FINDS THE GOLD RING WILL BE
MARRIED WITHIN THE NEXT YEAR.
Submitter comment:
I HEARD THIS FROM MY IRISH LANDLADY AT CHRISTMAS TIME OF 1970. I
DON'T THINK SHE REALLY BELIEVED IT WOULD HAPPEN.
Where learned: NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM ; MARRIAGE PREDICTION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Predictions CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Single dishes BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 12-00-1970
POLISH CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
THE DINNER CONSISTS OF THIRTEEN COURSES, ALL OF WHICH ARE MEATLESS.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
James Callow comment:
Christmas Day?
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; STUDENT UNION BUILDING
Keyword(s): ABSTINENCE FROM MEAT ; CHRISTMAS ; Course ; CUSTOM ; Dinner ; FOOD CUSTOM ; holiday ; Ingredients ; Meal ; Vegetarian
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Menus |
Date learned: 11-25-1969
CHRISTMAS FOOD
IT IS A SLOVAK CUSTOM TO EAT CHRISTMAS FOOD IN THIS ORDER:
FIRST, UNLEAVENED BREAD DIPPED IN HONEY; SECOND, SOUR MUSHROOM AND
THIRD; HOME-MADE BREAD BALLS MIXED WITH POPPY-SEED, MILK AND HONEY.
THIS IS TO SYMBOLIZE THE SOUR AND SWEET IN LIFE.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ; CHRISTMAS ; Course ; CUSTOM ; Dish ; FOOD ; FOOD CUSTOM ; holiday ; RECIPE ; Slovak
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Menus |
Date learned: 03-00-1970
CHRISTMAS FOOD
IN LEBANON, THE TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS FOOD FOR THOSE WHO CAN AFFORD
IT, IS A TURKEY DINNER.
Submitter comment:
(SOUNDS FAMILIAR)
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MARYGROVE COLLEGE ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; FOOD ; FOOD CUSTOM ; holiday ; Lebanese ; Turkey
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Menus |
Date learned: 00001968 FALL
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
CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
IT IS CUSTOMARY, AS A FAMILY PRACTICE, TO RAISE A GOOSE AND
TAKE CARE AND FEED IT SO THAT BY CHRISTMAS IT IS READY TO BE
KILLED AND EATEN AS A SYMBOL OF BOUNTY.
Submitter comment:
(HUNGARIAN)
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: HOME ; DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; FOOD ; holiday
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Single dishes |
Date learned: 11-19-1969