Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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Legend
DURING THE REVOLUTION, THERE WAS A DESERTER WHO LIVED IN A SHACK
WITH A WOMAN THAT HE KIDNAPPED, AND FROM THIS WOMAN HE HAD A SON
WHO LATER DID THE SAME THING AS HIS FATHER AND IT HAS GONE ON LIKE
THIS FOR GENERATIONS. IT IS RUMORED THAT THE MAN IS STILL
LOOKING FOR HIS WIFE BUT HAS NOT FOUND HER YET.
Submitter comment:
LEROY SAW THE CABIN AND SAYS HE GOT THE LEGEND FROM THIS
EXPERIENCE.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated on 02-22-2011 by TRD
Where learned: NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): ABDUCTION ; Common Law ; DESERTER ; ILLEGITIMACY ; MARRIAGE ; MILITARY ; REVOLUTIONARY WAR ; Shack
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Supernatural Being |
Date learned: 09-25-1967
SUPERSTITION
AT 12 MIDNIGHT, NEW YEAR'S EVE, YOU MUST IMMEDIATELY
OPEN YOUR FRONT DOOR TO LET THE OLD YEAR OUT AND
WELCOME THE NEW YEAR IN.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM HER MOTHER.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; YONKERS
Keyword(s): SYMBOLIC ACTION
Date learned: 12-31-1963
NEW YEAR'S DAY CUSTOM
GO OUT THE BACK DOOR TO LET OUT THE OLD YEAR AND IN THE FRONT
DOOR TO LET IN THE NEW YEAR.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
Keyword(s): SYMBOLIC ACTION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Fixed DateFor specific dates, use the following system: F640.1231 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 |
Date learned: 04-00-1972
New Year's Custom
AT THE STROKE OF MIDNIGHT ON NEW YEAR'S EVE IT IS A CUSTOM TO OPEN ALL THE WINDOWS AND LET THE NEW YEAR COME IN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): SYMBOLIC ACTION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Fixed DateFor specific dates, use the following system: F640.1231 |
Date learned: 09-00-1969
NEW YEAR'S CUSTOM
FOR THE LAST FIVE MINUTES OF THE OLD YEAR, AND THE FIRST FIVE MINUTES
OF THE NEW YEAR, IT IS NECESSARY TO SWEEP ONE'S HOUSE FROM BACK
TO FRONT. YOU SWEEP THE HOUSE TO "SWEEP OUT" TROUBLE AND SICKNESS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD ; collector's home
Keyword(s): BROOM ; SYMBOLIC ACTION
Date learned: 10-25-1970
CUSTOM-FIRST FOOTING
THE FIRST PERSON TO STEP FOOT IN YOUR HOUSE AFTER THE NEW YEAR
CANNOT DO SO EMPTY-HANDED. IF THEY DO IT MEANS THAT YOU AND YOUR
FAMILY WILL HAVE A LEAN YEAR. IF THEY BRING A GIFT, THEN YOU AND
YOUR FAMILY WILL HAVE A FAT YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC ; SYMBOLIC ACTION
Date learned: 09-26-1965
CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
AT CHRISTMAS TIME, THE CHURCH ORGANIST OF ST. PETER & PAUL
SELLS A SMALL WAFER CALLED OPLATIKA. THEY ARE SQUARE
AND TASTE LIKE A COMMUNION TYPE HOST. AFTER MIDNIGHT MASS,
THE FAMILIES HAVE A DINNER AT WHICH EVERYONE IN THE FAMILY
BREAKS OFF A PIECE AND EATS IT.
Submitter comment:
[St. Peter & Paul is a] Roman Catholic [church.]
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; informant's home
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM ; ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Oplatki CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Church |
Date learned: 11-02-1969
KEEPING THE WOLVES AWAY
DURING CHRISTMAS THE LITTLE POLISH CHILDREN PUT PEAS ON THE WINDOWSILLS IN THE BELIEF THAT IT WOULD STOP THE WOLVES FROM EATING THEIR ANIMALS AT CHRISTMAS TIME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): POLISH CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Beliefs CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Feeding animals, spirits of trees |
Date learned: 00-00-1968
CHRISTMAS
UKRAINIANS SIT DOWN TO THE CHRISTMAS EVE SUPPER ONLY AFTER THE FIRST
STAR COMES OUT, IN REMEMBRANCE OF THE STAR WHICH LED THE THREE WISE
MEN TO BETHLEHEM.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector are the same person.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Keyword(s): BIBLE ; METEOROLOGY
| Subject headings: | 686 686.1 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Christmas |
Date learned: 10-00-1970
CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
ON CHRISTMAS EVE, THE CHILDREN ALL STAND BY THE WINDOW AND WATCH
FOR THE FIRST STAR TO APPEAR BECAUSE NOT UNTIL THEN IS EVERYONE
ALLOWED TO EAT SUPPER.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector are the same person.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FOOD ; METEOROLOGICAL
| Subject headings: | 686 686.1 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Christmas |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
START OF CHRISTMAS FEAST
THE POLISH PEOPLE DID NOT START TO EAT THEIR CHRISTMAS MEAL UNTIL
THE FIRST STAR SHONE AS A SIGN THAT CHRIST WAS HERE OR COMING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FOOD ; METEOROLOGICAL ; RELIGION
| Subject headings: | 686 686.1 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Christmas |
Date learned: 00-00-1968
CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER
THE DINNER ON CHRISTMAS EVE SHOULD NOT BE STARTED TILL THE FIRST
STAR FALLS.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share the same surname.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; ERIE
Keyword(s): FOOD ; METEOROLOGICAL
| Subject headings: | 686 686.1 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Christmas |
Date learned: 00-00-1920
Ethnic: Polish
A POLISH, CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER CALLS FOR EACH SERVING TO BE
SERVED SEPARATELY. THE NEXT SERVING IS NOT BROUGHT ON UNTIL THE
PREVIOUS ONE HAS BEEN CONSUMED BY ALL THAT WANT IT. GENERALLY,
THE SERVINGS ARE OF VEGETABLES. THERE IS NO MEAT EATEN. NOTHING
IS DRANK DURING THE MEAL.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated 02-23-2011 / TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ABSTINENCE ; CHRISTMAS ; Course ; CUSTOM ; Dinner ; DRINK ; ETHNIC ; Feast ; FOOD ; holiday ; meat ; POLISH ; Serve ; tradition
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Christmas |
Date learned: 11-00-1968
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
TRADITIONAL FESTIVAL
ON CHRISTMAS EVE OF EVERY YEAR, THE RYGIEL FAMILY HAS DINNER
TOGETHER. ALL MY RELATIVES INCLUDING MY AUNTS, UNCLES, COUSINS AND
OF COURSE MY GRANDMOTHER SHARE THE TRADITIONAL MENU. IT IS CALLED
WIGELIA
Submitter comment:
ANTOINETTE, THE GRANDMOTHER IS LISTED HERE AS THE INFORMANT SINCE
UNTIL LATE SHE WAS THE HOSTESS.
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM ; POLISH CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Menus |
YARN MEN
IN DENMARK AT CHRISTMAS THE DINNER TABLE IS DECORATED WITH LITTLE
MEN MADE FROM RED YARN CALLED "NISSERMAN." THE FAMILY USUALLY MAKES
THESE FIGURES TOGETHER IN PREPARATION FOR THE HOLIDAYS.
Submitter comment:
[Informant is] Danish.
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): DOLLS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Christmas CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas Decorations |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR.
CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
ONE EMPTY CHAIR IS PLACED AT THE TABLE DURING CHRISTMAS
SUPPER FOR ANY POOR BEGGAR OR SUCH WHO MIGHT WANDER
IN. SUCH A PERSON IS ALWAYS INVITED IN AND FED.
Submitter comment:
Polish [custom]
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share the same surname.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GARDEN CITY
Keyword(s): POLISH CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Christmas |
Date learned: 00-00-1954
NURSERY RHYME
AS I WALKED BY MYSELF AND TALKED TO MYSELF
MYSELF SAID UNTO ME, LOOK TO THYSELF, TAKE CARE OF THYSELF,
FOR NOBODY CARES FOR THEE. I ANSWERED MYSELF,
AND SAID TO MYSELF IN THE SAME REPARTEE, LOOK TO THYSELF,
OR NOT TO THYSELF, THE SELF-SAME THING WILL BE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): FATE ; MONOLOGUE AS DIALOGUE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 00-00-1964
Entry filtered.
POPE JOKE
DID YOU HEAR THAT CARDINAL SICOLA IS IN THE RUNNING FOR POPE?
IF HE WERE CHOSEN THEN WE WOULD HAVE POPE SICOLA
Submitter comment:
A RASH OF JOKES BEGAN IN 1978 RIGHT AROUND THE TIME OF THE
SELECTION OF THE NEW POLISH POPE. THESE JOKES ARE REALLY JUST
STANDARD POLISH JOKES WITH A RELIGIOUS TWIST.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MILFORD
James Callow Keyword(s): PUN ON PEPSI COLA, A SOFT DRINK
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 00-00-1979