The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

AMONG THE UKRAINIANS, THE DAY OF THE CHRISTMAS EVE IS A STRICT FAST
IN COMMEMORATION OF THE HARDSHIPS ENDURED BY MOTHER MARY ENROUTE TO
BETHLEHEM.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

Keyword(s): ABSTINENCE FROM FOOD ; CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOMS ; FOOD ; holiday

Date learned: 10-00-1970

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LITHUANIAN CHRISTMAS EVE

IT IS CUSTOMARY FOR LITHUANIANS TO FAST ALL DAY ON CHRISTMAS EVE.
THEIR MEAL, OR SHOULD I SAY FEAST, TAKES PLACE AT MIDNIGHT IN THE
FORM OF A TWELVE COURSE MEAL. DURING THIS MEAL, HAY IS PUT UNDER THE
TABLE CLOTH IN A SYMBOLIC GESTURE.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

Keyword(s): ABSTINENCE FROM FOOD ; CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; Fast ; FOOD ; holiday

Date learned: 10-05-1967

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CUSTOM

FOR CHRISTMAS EVE, THE FAMILY HAS AN ODD NUMBER OF DISHES FOR
CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER. THIS DINNER IS CALLED WIGILIA.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN HEIGHTS ; TOLD AT

Keyword(s): CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; FOOD ; holiday

Date learned: 02-22-1970

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A BIT OF EVERYTHING

IN BULGARIA THE WHOLE OF CHRISTMAS EVE DAY IS SPENT IN PREPARATION
FOR THE CHRISTMAS FEAST. FOR THE FEAST A LITTLE OF EVERY FOOD IN THE
HOUSE IS PREPARED.

Submitter comment:

THE INFORMANT SAID A LITTLE OF EVERY FOOD IN THE HOUSE IS FIXED TO
GUARANTEE PROSPERITY AND SUCCESS.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: TOLD AT HENDRICKSONS PHARMACY

Keyword(s): CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; FOOD ; holiday

Date learned: 03-21-1970

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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

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CHRISTMAS CUSTOM

FOR MANY POLISH PEOPLE THE MIDNIGHT MASS ON CHRISTMAS EVE (DEC. 24)
IS FOLLOWED BY A BREAKFAST. THE FAMILY GETS TOGETHER FOR THIS
OCCASION. HOME BAKED SWEET BREAD AND FRESH SAUSAGE ARE EATEN AT
THIS BREAKFAST.

Submitter comment:

THE INFORMANT AND HER FAMILY PRACTICE THIS TRADITIONAL CUSTOM.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM

Date learned: 11-05-1971

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SLICE OF BREAD

AT THE BEGINNING OF A POLISH, CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER, EVERYONE
IS GIVEN ONE PIECE OF BREAD. THIS ONE SLICE MUST LAST THEM
FOR THE ENTIRE MEAL.
IT IS BAD LUCK TO CONSUME THE BREAD BEFORE THE MEAL HAS BEEN
COMPLETED; YOU WILL GO HUNGARY (HUNGRY) OR NOT FULFILL SOME
DESIRE DURING THE COMING YEAR.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): ETHNIC ; FOOD CUSTOM ; holiday ; LUCK ; POLISH ; tradition

Date learned: 11-00-1968

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BLOOD SAUSAGE

IN RURAL BULGARIA, AFTER A LOG HAS BEEN PLACED IN THE LARGE FIREPLACE
THE DAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS THE MAKING OF BLOOD SAUSAGE IS BEGUN. A
PIG IS SLAUGHTERED AND SAUSAGE IS MADE FROM ITS BLOOD NO LATER
THAN 12:00 MIDNIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS DAY. THE SAUSAGE CANNOT
BE EATEN BEFORE MIDNIGHT, BUT AFTER THIS EVERYONE IN THE HOUSE
FEASTS.

Submitter comment:

THE INFORMANT REMEMBERS PARTICIPATING IN THIS CUSTOM IN BULGARIA.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: HENDRICKSONS PHARMACY ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): BLOOD ; Bulgaria ; CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; ETHNIC ; FOOD ; holiday ; Pig ; Sausage ; tradition

Date learned: 03-21-1970

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CHRISTMAS FOOD

ON CHRISTMAS EVE THE ITALIANS EAT SQUID.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Keyword(s): CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; ETHNIC ; FOOD ; holiday ; Italian ; Squid

Date learned: 11-17-1968

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EATING CUSTOM

ALWAYS HAVE OYSTER STEW ON CHRISTMAS EVE.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; FOOD ; holiday ; Oyster ; Stew ; tradition

Date learned: 09-24-1969

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CHRISTMAS CUSTOM

SOME SICILIANS SERVE CODFISH WITH TOMATO SAUCE ON CHRISTMAS EVE
(DEC. 24). THE FAMILY CELEBRATES THIS OCCASION TOGETHER.

Submitter comment:

THE INFORMANT'S FAMILY PRACTICE THIS CUSTOM EVERY YEAR.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): CHRISTMAS ; Cod ; CUSTOM ; FOOD ; Italian ; Sicilian ; Tomato ; tradition

Date learned: NOT RECORDED

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YULE CAKE

ON CHRISTMAS EVE, THEY ALL PARTAKE OF A YULE CAKE WHICH IS SPECIALLY
MADE FOR THE OCCASION. THEY BELIEVE THAT THIS WILL BRING THEM
GOOD LUCK FOR THE COMING YEAR.

Submitter comment:

TONY TELLS ME OF A TRADITION PRACTICED BY THE FAMILY OF ONE OF HIS
FRIENDS IN PITTSBURG.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): Cake ; CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; FOOD ; holiday ; LUCK ; tradition ; Yule

Date learned: 11-19-1968

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CHRISTMAS CUSTOM

IT IS TRADITIONAL IN STEVE'S FAMILY TO HAVE CHILI ON RICE FOR
CHRISTMAS EVE.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): Chili ; CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; FOOD ; Rice ; tradition

Date learned: 10-28-1968

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CHRISTMAS CUSTOM

IT IS TRADITIONAL IN MIKE'S FAMILY TO HAVE POTATO CAKES AND
OYSTER STEW ON CHRISTMAS EVE. THIS TRADITION HAS COME DOWN FROM
HIS FATHER'S MATERNAL GRANDMOTHER.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): Cake ; CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; FOOD ; holiday ; Oyster ; POTATO ; Stew ; tradition

Date learned: 10-28-1968

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IRISH CHRISTMAS CUSTOM

ON CHRISTMAS EVE IT IS AN IRISH CUSTOM TO EAT OYSTER STEW AN (ON)
POTATO CAKES AS A SPECIAL TREAT.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): Cake ; CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; ETHNIC ; FOOD ; Irish ; Oyster ; POTATO ; Stew ; tradition

Date learned: 03-20-1968

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ON CHRISTMAS EVE A GERMAN CUSTOM IS TO EAT WINE SOUP WITH
PUMPERNICKEL IN IT.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIBRARY ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): CUSTOM ; ETHNIC ; FOOD ; GERMAN ; Pumpernickel ; Soup ; Stew ; tradition ; Wine

Date learned: 03-04-1971

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Oplatek

A WAFER-THIN POLISH BREAD WHICH IS EXCHANGED AMONG
FAMILY AND FRIENDS AT CHRISTMAS TIME. THIS BREAD IS BROKEN AT
THE CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER AND IF FRIENDS AND FAMILY ARE PRESENT,
THE PIECE OF OPLATEK IS BROKEN INTO TWO PARTS AND EACH PERSON
THEN EXCHANGES PIECES WITH ANOTHER. AFTER EACH HAS EATEN OF
THE OTHER'S BREAD THE KISS OF PEACE IS EXCHANGED.

Submitter comment:

INFORMANT REMEMBERS THE CUSTOM FROM HER CHILDHOOD IN MANITOBA,
CANADA IN THE EARLY 1900'S WHEN HER RELATIVES IN POLAND WOULD SEND
THE BREAD TO CANADA AND HER FAMILY WOULD IN TURN MAIL OPLATEK
TO POLAND. SAYS THE CUSTOM STILL IS OBSERVED IN POLISH CHURCHES
AT CHRISTMAS TIME (E G., OUR LADY, QUEEN OF APOSTLES IN EAST
DETROIT, 1963)

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM

Date learned: 01-08-1964

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POLISH GOOD LUCK SYMBOL OF OPLATET [OPLATEK]

BREAKING OF UNLEAVENED BREAD BETWEEN
PEOPLE AT CHRISTMAS EVE MEAL TO
SIGNIFY GOOD LUCK.

Where learned: HOME

Keyword(s): BREAD ; FOOD CUSTOM

Date learned: 11-10-1968

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OPTATKE (CHRISTMAS WAFER) [OPLATKI]

A POLISH CHRISTMAS TRADITION. ON THE VIGIL OF CHRISTMAS AT DINNER
THAT EVENING, THE HEAD OF THE HOUSEHOLD DISTRIBUTES BREAD-LIKE WAFERS
(OPTATKE) [OPLATKI], MADE BY SISTERS OF THE CHURCH. THEY ARE MADE LIKE THE
COMMUNION WAFER, AND BLESSED BY THE PRIEST. EACH MEMBER OF THE
FAMILY RECEIVES ONE, AND THE HEAD OF THE HOUSEHOLD SAYS A PRAYER
AND ASKS FOR GOD'S BLESSING. HE BREAKS HIS WAFER WITH EACH MEMBER,
AND THEY IN TURN BREAK IT WITH EACH MEMBER OF THE FAMILY.

Data entry tech comment:

Informant and collector share same surname.

Where learned: OHIO ; TOLEDO

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM

Date learned: 09-30-1968

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CHRISTMAS CUSTOM

POLISH CHRISTMAS CUSTOM - OPWATKI [OPLATKI].
THE FATHER WOULD BREAK BREAD WITH
THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY AT THE
CHRISTMAS EVE MEAL. THE FATHER WOULD
BREAK IT WITH ONE PERSON AND THAT
PERSON WOULD BREAK IT WITH ANOTHER
AND SO ON.

Submitter comment:

HEARD ABOUT IT FROM HER KINDERGARTEN TEACHER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM

Date learned: 10-15-1967

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