Dr. James T. Callow publications
Browse by
Questions or comments on this site? Please email davidsor@udmercy.edu.
The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for CUSTOM returned 579 results.
Belief: Children
Determining Sex of Unborn Child:
A pin on a thread, if held motionless over the wrist of an expectant mother, can determine sex of child by the motion which it takes up after it is perfectly still. If pin or needle takes up a circular motion than first child weill be a girl. If needle takes up back and forth motion then a boy. If pin stops and then moves again, this can be used to predict the future sex and number of children.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [P860] crossed out. Replaced with current classification
Where learned: HOME ; NEW YORK ; ROCHESTER
Keyword(s): ANAPEL ; BELIEF ; Biology ; BIRTH ; CHILDREN ; CUSTOM ; Forecasting ; gender ; Ordain ; Pendulum ; Predictions ; SEX
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Belief: Luck
Wedding Luck:
If it rains on a wedding day this is good luck; if it doesn't, the couple is sprinkled with champagne.
Data entry tech comment:
motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [I545] crossedo ut. Replaced with current classification
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; CUSTOM ; LUCK ; MARRIAGE ; OMEN ; SUPERSTITION ; WEDDING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Ethnic: Hungarian
Hungarian Wedding:
The informant recalls that on her wedding day, when she returned to her new mother-in-law's home, she was greeted by the mother and asked to recite the "Our Father." When she came to the part "Give us this day our daily bread..." the mother handed her a loaf of bread saying "no matter how poor you may become, always remember that you will still have a loaf of bread." This is a common Hungarian Custom.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [S570] crossed out. Replaced with current classification
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH
Keyword(s): CUSTOM ; ETHNIC ; FAMILY ; FOOD ; HUNGARIAN ; MARRIAGE ; POVERTY ; PRAYER ; WEDDING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Ethnic: Yugoslavian
Wedding:
In Yugoslavia, the bride must bring 40 different items with her to prove that she is versatile and can do all these things. If she fails to do this she can't get married.
Submitter comment:
Recounted from Mrs. Benestelli's mother, a neighbor, who just returned home from Yugoslavia.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [F572] crossed out and replaced with current classification.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; NEIGHBORS HOME ; PITTSBURGH
Keyword(s): Chores ; CUSTOMS ; Domestic ; MARRIAGE ; TEST ; WEDDING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Ethnic: Ukraine
In the Ukranian village, a girl would wear her hair in long braids. On her wedding day, her mother would ceremoniously unbraid it; a week later, her husband cut it off [sic].
Data entry tech comment:
Based on another submission card that is by the same person, regarding something very similar, that the cutting of the hair symbolizes the loss of virginity, which may or may not be clear. See CFA # 43568 for cross reference.
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
BN F545 is written in black marker above original BN [P430, F545]
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Keyword(s): Consummation ; CUSTOM ; ETHNIC ; HAIR ; HUSBAND ; MARRIAGE ; Ukraine ; UKRAINIAN ; VIRGINITY ; WEDDING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage BELIEF -- Human Being |
Ethnic: Ukraine
Wedding Custom:
Before setting out for the church wedding ceremony, the Ukranian couple approach the two sets of parents and ask them for the parent's blessing. They then kneel before the parents, on a specially embroidered cloth "rushyk." The parents make the sign of the cross over them with a holyicon, then with a loaf of bread- touch each on the forehead. They wish them luck, health and many happy and prosperous years.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN ; Myself
Keyword(s): BLESSING ; Cloth ; CUSTOMS ; ETHNIC ; FAMILY ; MARRIAGE ; Ukraine ; WEDDING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Ethnic: Ukraine
Wedding Custom:
Among the Ukrainians it was customary for an older couple called "starosty" represesnting the young man, to ask the parents of the girl for her hand in marriage. If she accepted the offer, she would tie around them a specially embroidered long cloth - "rushnyk."
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Keyword(s): Cloth ; CUSTOM ; ETHNIC ; MARRIAGE ; PARENTS ; Proposal ; UKRAINIAN ; WEDDING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Ethnic: Polish
Wedding Custom:
Offering bread and wine to newlyweds just before they leave the reception is a traditional way of wishing good luck for them. [sic]
Submitter comment:
This little ceremony was observed at several Polish weddings that I attended.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: Myself
Keyword(s): BLESSING ; CEREMONY ; CUSTOM ; ETHNIC ; FOOD ; LUCK ; MARRIAGE ; POLAND ; POLISH ; WEDDING ; Wine
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Ethnic: Ukraine
Ukrainian Wedding:
Toward the start of the wedding recpetion the mother of the bride removes the veil from the bride and places on her head a "wife's hat."
Today, the "wife's hat" is an ordinary woman's hat but formerly it was supposed to be a hat similar to the hat worn by frontier women. The hat is very plain and relatively ugly when compared to a veil. It is supposed to signify the hard work the wife must go through to satisfy her husband.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: Myself
Keyword(s): CUSTOM ; Fashion ; Hat ; HUSBAND ; MARRIAGE ; WEDDING ; Wife
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Custom
Ribbons:
The ribbons from presents received at a bridal shower are tied together and used as a boquet at the wedding rehearsal.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): Bridal ; Bride ; CUSTOM ; GAMES ; Rehearsal ; Ribbons ; Shower ; WEDDING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Custom
Wedding Custom:
Before the bride leaves the reception the band plays a slow song and the bride removes her veil and places it on the head of her maid-of-honor.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): Bride ; CUSTOM ; Fashion ; Maid-of-Honor ; MARRIAGE ; MUSIC ; Reception ; Veil ; WEDDING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Custom
Wedding Custom:
Before the bride leaves the reception the band plays a slow song and the bride removes her veil and places it on the head of her maid-of-honor.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): Bride ; CUSTOM ; Fashion ; Maid-of-Honor ; MARRIAGE ; MUSIC ; Reception ; Veil ; WEDDING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Custom
Wedding Custom:
Keep wedding cake (fruit cake) frozen for one year and on the 1st anniversary unfreeze the cake and eat it. this is for good luck and happiness.
Submitter comment:
(small grammatical corrections written on the card - dealing with sentence structure.)
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Anniversary ; CUSTOM ; FOOD ; LUCK ; MARRIAGE ; WEDDING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Ethnic: Russian
Wedding Custom:
When the bride is preparing for her wedding (getting dressed and ready to leave for church) a violin player and an accordian player play a special tune.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Written on bottom left of the card: [ Ethnic? Russian Orthodox, says collector.]
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Accordion ; Bride ; CUSTOM ; DRESS ; Fashion ; MARRIAGE ; MUSIC ; violin ; WEDDING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Ethnic: Belium
Funeral:
In Belgium, during funeral processions, the children would carry boquets or wreaths of flowers which they had picked.
Submitter comment:
Recorded on tape
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH
Keyword(s): Belgium ; BURIAL ; CHILDREN ; CUSTOM ; DEATH ; ETHNIC ; FLOWERS ; Funeral ; RESPECT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Ethnic: Belgium
Funeral Custom:
When a dead person is laid out, a photographer takes a picture of the corpse. The family keeps this picture.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: BELGIUM
Keyword(s): CUSTOM ; DEATH ; FAMILY ; Funeral ; Photograph ; Picture ; Soul
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Custom
Common Law Custom:
Informant never does family laundry on Sunday, because it is a day of rest and is frowned upon byu herself and other members of the family. Laundry hanging outside on a line is considered disgraceful.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [F539] crossed out. Replaced with current classification
Where learned: HOME ; NEW YORK ; LeRoy
Keyword(s): Chores ; CUSTOM ; Domestic ; LAUNDRY ; Sunday
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Week Day Hour |
Custom
Cheer:
In the United States, it is customary to clap and whistle to show approval and to "boo" to show disapproval. But watching the Olympics, I noticed that some countries whistle to express disfavor.
Submitter comment:
I saw this in the hockey games.
Data entry tech comment:
motifs added by TRD
Where learned: SUMMER OLYMPICS
Keyword(s): Audience ; Boo ; CHEER ; Clap ; CUSTOM ; Olympics ; SPORTS ; Whistle
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Custom
Lenten Customs:
About two weeks before the Lenten fasting begins, the people of New Orleans celebrate the festival of "Mardi Gras."
Actually, "Mardi Gras" means "Fat Tuesday," and this is the day before Ash Wednesday. But the people celebrate for a couple weeks beforehand, much the same way as most people celebrate Christmas.
Mardi Gras is characterized by its magnificaent parades. Various groups spend enormous amounts of time, effort and money to make their floats as beautiful as possible. throughout the parade, people sit on the floats and throw trinkets, beads and other cheap toys to the crowds who clamor to see who can catch the most. Many of these articles are virtually worthless, but I have seen expensive beads, gold pieces and even $20.00 bills being thrown too.
Besides this, each parade has its own particular name (eg- the Rex Parade) and throws off "dubloons" with the name of the parade and that year stamped on it. A "dubloon" is a silver-dollar sized plastic coin, always in purple, gold or green. Long after Mardi Gras is over, people continue to trade dubloons-to try to get a dubloon of each color from each parade. This collection of worthless plastic coins can be quite valuable.
So the parades, dubloons, balls and parties make Mardi Gras the most festive time of the whole year in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
Keyword(s): Beads ; Celebration ; CUSTOM ; Float ; Mardi Gras ; New Orleans ; Parade ; PARTY ; Trinkets
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting |
Custom/Belief
School Belief:
In the middle of the "diag," the diagonal sidewalk bisecting the campus at the University of Michigan, there is embedded in the walk a large brass 'M.' If a freshman walks on this 'M,' it is assured that he will fail his next test.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Reference
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Myself ; ANN ARBOR
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; COLLEGE ; CUSTOM ; MICHIGAN ; Student ; SUPERSTITION ; TEST ; University ; University of Michigan
James Callow Keyword(s): Reference
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- School |