Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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NEW YEAR'S CUSTOM
GRANDMOTHER SAID WHEN NEW YEAR'S WOULD COME AROUND SHE HAD THE
TRADITIONAL BLACK-EYED PEAS AND COLLARD GREENS TO COMPLETE HER NEW
YEAR'S DINNER. GRANDMOTHER SAID THE TRADITIONAL DINNER REPRESENTED
GOOD FINANCIAL LUCK THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. THE BLACK-EYED PEAS
SYMBOLIZED COINS AND THE COLLARDS REPRESENTED GREENBACKS.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT
PRACTICED THIS CUSTOM SINCE THE EARLY YEARS OF HER MARRIAGE.
Where learned: SOUTH CAROLINA
James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC MONEY ; SYMBOLS
Date learned: 00001960S (MID)
FAST
THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS IS A FAST NIGHT. EVEN THE
SPAGHETTI IS MADE WITH FISH. THE NUMBER OF VARIETIES OF FISH YOU SERVE DETERMINES
THE WEALTH OF THE FAMILY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F122 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 |
Date learned: 11-09-1972
LOAF OF BREAD
ON THE MORNING OF HER WEDDING DAY A GREEK BRIDE BAKES A LOAF
OF BREAD. AFTER THE WEDDING SOMEONE BREAKS IT IN TWO
BEFORE THE BRIDE AND GROOM
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F545.0 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Morning before wedding |
Date learned: 11-28-1972
Entry filtered.
SMOKY THE BEAR RIDDLE
HOW COME SMOKY THE BEARS' WIFE CAN'T ET PREGNANT? EVERYTIME SHE
GETS HOT. HE HITS HER WITH A SHOVEL.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; RENO HALL
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOL OF FIRE PREVENTION
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 09-28-1972
BELIEF
IT'S A RELIGIOUS BELIEF TO PUT STRAW UNDER THE TABLE CLOTH TO
REPRESENT THE CHRIST CHILD'S MANGER AT CHRISTMAS.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT'S FAMILY DOES THIS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F122 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 |
Date learned: 10-09-1972
BRAD JACKSON JR. A DRIVER FOR BRAD JACKSON INC. RELATED TO ME
THE STORY OF A FLORIDA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMITTEE MAN STOPPING
A SEMI-DRIVER NEAR JACKSONVILLE AND ASKED TO SEE THE DRIVER'S LOG
BOOK, THE DRIVER REPLIED, ME SUH, I AIN'T HAULIN' NO LOGS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
James Callow Keyword(s): OCCUPATIONAL FOLKLORE TRUCK DRIVER
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 12-01-1972
TRUCK DRIVING PROWESS
DURING THE 1940'S AND EARLY 1950'S SEMI DRIVERS
FOLLOWING EACH OTHER ON OLD U.S. 22 (ONE OF THE FEW TRUCK
ROUTES INTO THE NEW YORK METRO AREA FROM THAT AREA [HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA]) USED TO ENGAGE IN A "CONTEST"
BY ALTERNATELY KNOCKING OUT THE ROADSIDE MAILBOXES BY SWAYING THE
REARMOST END OF THE TRAILER.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT'S INFORMANT: JOHN POTERE A DRIVER FOR MCCLEAN TRUCKING. THE INFORMATION WAS OBTAINED IN HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA IN OCTOBER OF 1969.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
James Callow Keyword(s): OCCUPATIONAL FOLKLORE TRUCK DRIVERS
Date learned: 12-01-1972
EACH GRAY HAIR IN ONE'S HEAD REPRESENTS A PARTICULAR WORRY.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOL: HAIR
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Color |
Date learned: 09-08-1972
IF YOU GET A SPLINTER IN YOUR HAND YOU TAKE IT OUT AND PUT IT IN
YOUR HAIR TO KEEP IT FROM GETTING IT IN YOUR HAND AGAIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): MAGICAL CONTROL
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 10-00-1974
IF YOU WANT TO KEEP A PERSON OUT OF YOUR HOUSE, THROW SOME SALT
BEHIND THEM WHEN THEY LEAVE THE HOUSE
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): MAGICAL CONTROL OF WOULD-BE VISITORS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 10-00-1974
DEATH
IF A HUSBAND DIES, THE WIFE MUST WEAR BLACK OR SHE WILL DIE TOO.
Submitter comment: HE CONSIDERS THIS A MALTESE BELIEF.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): COLOR SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Sign Color |
Date learned: 03-21-1975
ST. PATRICK'S DAY
WEARING GREEN IS THE OLDEST IRISH CUSTOM ON ST. PATRICK'S DAY.
THE COLOR GREEN IS THE COLOR OF THE CATHOLIC IRISH, AND WEARING
IT SHOWS YOUR RESPECT FOR YOUR COUNTRY AND YOUR FAITH.
Submitter comment:
ALL THE ITEMS I HAVE LEARNED HAVE BEEN
TAUGHT TO ME OVER THE YEARS BY
MY RELATIVES. I CAN'T PINPOINT EXACT DATES OR PEOPLE THOUGH.
Where learned: HOME ; RELATIVES HOME
James Callow Keyword(s): NATIONALISM ; SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- March 17 Feast of St. Patrick BELIEF -- Color |
SAINT PATRICK'S DAY
THE FOUR LEAF CLOVER IS THE TRADITIONAL GOOD LUCK CHARM.
WEARING ONE ON ST. PAT'S DAY BRINGS DOUBLE LUCK.
Where learned: HOME ; RELATIVES HOME
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- February 17 BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications BELIEF -- Good luck P881.11 BELIEF -- Good luck P881.4 |
Date learned: CA1960-1975
SAINT PATRICK'S DAY
ONE OF THE THINGS THE WOMEN ALWAYS DID WAS TO DYE THEIR
HAIR GREEN WITH FOOD COLORING.
Submitter comment:
IN MY GRANDMOTHER'S DAY THE UNMARRIED WOMEN DIED THEIR HAIR.
NOW IT IS DONE MORE IN THE HIGHSCHOOLS.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
James Callow Keyword(s): COLOR ; GREEN HAIR COLORING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- March 17 Feast of St. Patrick CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Typical Elements of a Festive Pattern ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Color Design BELIEF -- Color |
Date learned: CA1960-1975
ST. PATRICK'S DAY
MOST FAMILIES VIE FOR THE ATTENTION OF THE PARISH PRIEST.
INVITING HIM TO DINNER OR FOR A DRINK
BRINGS GOOD LUCK TO YOUR HOME.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
James Callow Keyword(s): COLLECTOR'S SPELLING CORRECTED
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- March 17 Feast of St. Patrick |
Date learned: CA1960-1975
TESTS
SMOKE ONLY BEFORE AND AFTER A TEST AND YOU WILL PASS IT.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
James Callow Keyword(s): MAGICAL CONTROL ; SMOKING TABU DURING EXAMINATIONS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- School |
Date learned: CA1963-1975
HORSESHOES
NEVER HANG A HORSESHOE UPSIDE DOWN BECAUSE IT REPRESENTS THE
DEVIL'S HORNS.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN ;
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION ; SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Circle and other round forms |
Date learned: CA1963-1975
'IF EVER I CEASE TO LOVE '
DURING THE MARDI GRAS PERIOD, THE STREETS AND BUILDINGS ARE
GAILY DECORATED WITH THE OFFICIAL MARDI GRAS COLORS OF
PURPLE, GREEN, AND GOLD. THE MUSIC WHICH IS THE OFFICIAL
MARDI GRAS SONG IS 'IF EVER I CEASE TO LOVE'.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS AN INSTRUMENTAL. IT HAS THE QUALITY OF A MARCH.
EVEN THOUGH IT IS THE OFFICIAL MARDI GRAS SONG, MOST PEOPLE
DON'T LIKE IT. IT IS BORING, FORMAL AND IT LACKS LUSTER.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
James Callow Keyword(s): COLOR ; CONTRAST
| Subject headings: | 663 Mardi Gras |
Date learned: 02-11-1975
MYTH
THE INDIAN GENERALLY IS VERY RELIGIOUS, AND BELIEVES IN TWO GODS.
ONE IS THE GOOD GOD AND THE OTHER IS THE BAD GOD.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
James Callow Keyword(s): POLYTHEISM
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Gods |
Date learned: 11-00-1968