Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for Day returned 230 results.
DECEMBER 26 ST. STEPHEN
IN POLAND, ON DECEMBER 26, MEN THROW OAKS AT WOMEN, IN THE
COUNTRY, AND COLOGNE IN THE CITY, TO REMIND THE PEOPLE OF THE FACT
THAT STEPHEN WAS KILLED BY ARROWS BEING SHOT AT HIM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ST. STEPHEN'S DAY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 26 Boxing Day St. Stephen's Day |
Date learned: 01-30-1968
ST. STEPHEN'S DAY CUSTOM
IT IS A POLISH CUSTOM ON THE DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS TO VISIT ONE'S
RELATIVES AND SHOWER THEM WITH NUTS, WHICH REPRESENTS THE STONING
OF ST. STEPHEN.
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): ST. STEPHEN'S DAY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 26 Boxing Day St. Stephen's Day |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR.
ST. STEPHEN'S DAY
AMONG THE HUNGARIAN PEOPLE, ST. STEPHEN'S DAY, THE DAY AFTER
CHRISTMAS, IS HIGHLY CELEBRATED. THERE IS ABUNDANT FOOD AND DRINK
AND LOTS OF DANCING AND LAUGHTER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Keyword(s): ST. STEPHEN'S DAY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 26 Boxing Day St. Stephen's Day |
Date learned: 10-08-1968
ST. STEPHEN'S DAY
ST. STEVEN@S DAY WAS A MEMORABLE DAY IN IRELAND, ITS SOMETHING LIKE
OUR HALLOWEEN, ONLY ADULTS AND TEENS PARTICIPATED IN IT. THEY COME
TO EVERY HOUSE AND SANG: " THE WRAN ( WREN ), THE WRAN THE KING
OF ALL THE BIRDS ST. STEVEN'S DAY HE WAS CAUGHT IN THE FURGE
ALTHOUGH HE IS LITTLE HIS FAMILY IS GREAT. I PRAY YOU YOUNG LADY
TO GIVE US A TRAIT ( TREAT ) SING HALLY, SING WY, SING WY, SING HALLY
TO KEEP A BAD CHRISTMAS IT IS BUT A FOLLY FOR CHRISTMAS COMES BUT
ONCE A YEAR AND WHEN IT COMES IT BRINGS GOOD CHEER." THE
PEOPLE OFTEN CARRIED WRENS THAT THEY CAUGHT THE DAY BEFORE ON A STICK
AS THEY WENT FROM HOUSE TO HOUSE THAT NIGHT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ST. STEPHEN'S DAY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 26 Boxing Day St. Stephen's Day |
Date learned: 11-18-1970
ENGLISH COMMEMORATION DAY
CHILDERMAS DAY IN ENGLAND PARALLELS HOLY INNOCENTS' DAY IN AMERICA.
IT IS A COMMEMORATIO'N OF HEROD'S SLAUGHTER OF THE CHILDREN;
OBSERVED ON DECEMBER 28. THE DAY IS CONSIDERED UNLUCKY.
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): CHILDERMAS DAY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 28 Holy Innocents |
Date learned: 11-01-1967
WORK SONG
THIS IS THE WAY WE WASH OUR CLOTHES,
WASH OUR CLOTHES, WASH OUR CLOTHES;
THIS IS THE WAY WE WASH OUR CLOTHES,
SO EARLY MONDAY MORNING.
THIS IS THE WAY WE IRON OUR CLOTHES,
IRON OUR CLOTHES, IRON OUR CLOTHES;
THIS IS THE WAY WE IRON OUR CLOTHES,
SO EARLY TUESDAY MORNING.
THIS IS THE WAY WE CLEAN OUR WINDOWS,
CLEAN OUR WINDOWS, CLEAN OUR WINDOWS;
THIS IS THE WAY WE CLEAN OUR WINDOWS,
SO EARLY WEDNESDAY MORNING.
THIS IS THE WAY WE SWEEP OUR FLOORS,
SWEEP OUR FLOORS, SWEEP OUR FLOORS;
THIS IS THE WAY WE SWEEP OUR FLOORS,
SO EARLY THURSDAY MORNING.
THIS IS THE WAY WE MAKE OUR BEDS,
MAKE OUR BEDS, MAKE OUR BEDS;
THIS IS THE WAY WE MAKE OUR BEDS;
M SO EARLY FRIDAY MORNING.
THIS IS THE WAY WE SCRUB OUR FLOORS,
SCRUB OUR FLOORS, SCRUB OUR FLOORS;
THIS IS THE WAY WE SCRUB OUR FLOORS,
SO EARLY SATURDAY MORNING.
THIS IS THE WAY WE GO TO CHURCH,
GO TO CHURCH, GO TO CHURCH;
THIS IS THE WAY WE GO TO CHURCH,
SO EARLY SUNDAY MORNING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CHAIN SONG ; DAYS OF THE WEEK
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Work |
HAIR TODAY---BALD TOMORROW.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT HEARD THIS YEARS BACK
PROBABLY AROUND THE LATE 1928S.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN ; TOLD IN
Keyword(s): CONTRAST ; ELLIPSIS ; PARODY OF HERE TODAY, GONE TOMORROW
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Blason Populaire |
Date learned: 10-05-1972
WOMAN
IF A WOMAN ENTER YOUR HOUSE FIRST ON MONDAY MORNING,
IT IS SAID THAT YOU WILL HAVE BAD LUCK THE REST OF THE WEEK.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT ACTUALLY EXPERIENCED THIS.
Where learned: TOLD AT INFORMANTS HOME
Keyword(s): FIRST ON MONDAY MORNING ; SEXISM
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 03-06-1971
YEARLY GROWTH
WHILE ATTENDING A COUSIN'S BIRTHDAY PARTY, MY UNCLE JACK PLACED MY
COUSIN AGAINST THE DOOR JAM IN THE KITCHEN, TOOK OUT HIS KNIFE AND
NOTCHED MY COUSIN,S HEIGHT. LOOKING CLOSELY, I NOTICED THAT THE
HEIGHTS OF ALL THE FAMILY MEMBERS (6) WERE NOTCHED ON THE MOULDING
PIECE. ALSO, THEY WERE MARKED WITH THE APPROPRIATE BIRTHDATE. THUS
A RECORD OF GROWTH AND FINAL HEIGHT COULD BE MEASURED AND SAVED. I
HAVE ALSO NOTICED THIS CUSTOM IN OTHER HOMES SINCE THEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Mount Clemens
Keyword(s): DOOR JAMB HEIGHT BIRTHDAY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Maturity |
UKRAINIAN CHRISTMAS EVE MEAL
IN SPITE OF THE OBSERVATION OF A BLACK FAST, 12 DIFFERENT KINDS
OF FOOD ARE SERVED.
STRAW IS SCATTERED UNDERNEATH THE TABLE IN REMEMBERANCE
OF THE STABLE WHERE CHRIST WAS BORN.
"DIDUKH" IS A SHEAF OF STRAW IN THE FORM OF A MAN WHICH IS PUT
IN A CORNER AND SYMBOLIZES LAND FERTILITY.
THE FAMILY SITS DOWN TO SUPPER ONLY AFTER THE APPEARANCE OF THE
FIRST EVENING STAR.
IF THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE SEATED IS AN ODD NUMBER, AN EXTRA CHAIR
IS SET TO SYMBOLIZE A DECEASED RELATIVE OR FRIEND, OR A MEMBER OF
THE FAMILY WHO IS UNABLE TO BE PRESENT.
THE FATHER CUTS THE BREAD INTO THE NUMBER OF PIECES AS THERE
ARE PEOPLE PRESENT, DIPS EACH PIECE IN HONEY (SYMBOLIZING LAND
FERTILITY), GIVES ONE TO EACH PERSON, KISSES HIM AND WISHES HIM
GOOD LUCK.
THE HEAD OF THE HOUSEHOLD TAKES A SPOONFUL OF ONE OF THE TWELVE
DIFFERENT DISHES, KUTYA, (MADE OF BARLEY AND POPPYSEED AND
SEASONED WITH HONEY) AND THROWS IT UP TO THE CEILING. IT IS A
SIGN OF GOOD LUCK IF IT STICKS, AND OF BAD LUCK IF IT DOESN'T.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; FOOD ; holiday ; LUCK
Date learned: NOT RECORDED
IRISH TOAST
HEALTH AND LONG LIFE TO YOU
LAND WITHOUT RENT TO YOU
A CHILD EVERY YEAR TO YOU
AND MAY YOU DIE IN IRELAND.
Submitter comment: ATTITUDE: TRUSTING
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR ; TOLD AT HER HOME
Keyword(s): DRINKING BLESSING WISH
James Callow Keyword(s): ELLIPSIS ; IDEAL BIRTHDAY
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Speech Speech PROVERB -- Blason Populaire |
Date learned: 01-15-1972
BOOM BOOM
IF IT THUNDER IN ALL FOOLS DAY
IT BRINGS GOOD CROPS OF GRASS AND HAY.
Data entry tech comment: ITEM KEYPUNCHED AS IS
Where learned: AUDIAS PIZZARIA
Keyword(s): AGRICULTURE ; APRIL FOOL'S DAY ; BELIEF ; RHYME
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb C880.890 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- April 1 April Fools CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- April 1 (April Fool's Day) BELIEF -- Lightning Thunder |
Date learned: 10-03-1969
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY YULE,
TAKE A FRIEND AND GO TO SHULE.
Submitter comment:
YULE IS AT CHRISTMAS TIME, AND SHULE IS A JEWISH HOUSE
OF WORSHIP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; OAK PARK
Keyword(s): HOLIDAYS ; MOCK EPIC ; PARODY OF SONG ; RELIGIOUS ; RELIGIOUS OR PIOUS MOCK
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Custom Festival C840.642 |
Date learned: 10-03-1971
On Halloween night, put a bucket of sand or a broom
outside your door. If a soul comes by and wants to
harm you, it will have to count every grain of sand
or broom bristle first. By the time that the spirit
has done this, it would be daytime and it would have
to go back where it came from.
Submitter comment:
This story was told to Maryann by her Italian father,
who heard it from his grandfather.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; SKOKIE
Keyword(s): ghost, precaution, All Souls' Day
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- October 31 Halloween BELIEF -- Witch Shaman BELIEF -- Number Counting beliefs BELIEF -- Good luck Broom Sweeping BELIEF -- Control Prevention Provocation Protection |
Date learned: 00001930S
When I was a child our family used to prepare for the
Easter holy days with six weeks of sincere fasting
and denying ourselves simple pleasures. When Easter
Sunday arrived we celebrated the Resurrection of
Christ with an abundance of food. On the Saturday
afternoon before this holy day we took our baskets of
food to the church and had them blessed by the priest.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Lent
James Callow Keyword(s): Holy Saturday
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting F663.2 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Holy Saturday |
Date learned: 00001930S
On January first, Greeks celebrate what is known as St. Basil's
Day. It is the equivalent of Christmas here. It begins at twelve
o'clock midnight on December 31. "Vasilopita" - St Basil's Bread - is
served. Baked in the sweet bread is a single gold coin. The person to
receive the slice of sweet bread with the coin is said to have good
luck for the duration of the year. Presents are distributed. Then
snacks and drinks are served to all because in Greece there is no
certain age that must be attained before one is allowed to drink
alcohol.
Submitter comment: St. Basil is the equivalent of Santa Claus.
Where learned: GREECE
Keyword(s): holiday
James Callow Keyword(s): drinking age
Date learned: 00001945CA
Greeks believe that the first day of the month is good or bad,
the rest of the month will be the same way. This belief can also be
applied to the first day of the year.
Where learned: GREECE
James Callow Keyword(s): pilot day
Date learned: 00001943CA
IN ITALY, SAINTS' DAYS ARE CELEBRATED FOR PEOPLE JUST
AS THEIR BIRTHDAYS ARE.
Submitter comment: FROM GRANDMOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CHRISTENING ; NAME DAY ; PATRON SAINT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Baptism Naming rite CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Private birthday or anniversary CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Movable Date |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
IT IS IMPORTANT TO DO SOME WORK ON NEW YEAR'S DAY, FOR
WHATEVER YOU DO THAT DAY, YOU WILL DO ALL YEAR.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): pilot day
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's BELIEF -- Work Commerce Business |
NEW YEAR'S DAY --WEATHER
WHATEVER THE WEATHER IS THE FIRST TWELVE DAYS OF
THE NEW YEAR DECIDES WHAT THE WEATHER WILL BE FOR
EACH OF THE TWELVE MONTHS.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): PILOT DAYS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- 39815 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 3 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 12 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- NOT SURE CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F120 BELIEF -- Weather sign or control |
Date learned: 02-22-1969