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NEGROES

WHEN I WAS A YOUNG GIRL IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN, THE KIDS ON OUR
BLOCK HAD A STORY ABOUT NEGROES. WE BELIEVED THAT THE REASON THEIR
SKIN WAS SO DARK WAS THAT WHEN GOD WAS MAKING PEOPLE, HE FORGOT AND
LEFT THEM IN THE OVEN TOO LONG.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): COLOR SHAPE

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Creation and Order of Human Life

Date learned: 07-00-1964

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TREE SKIN

WHILE SITTING ON BOB'S FRONT PORCH, WE WERE COMMENTING ON TWO
WHITE BIRCH TREES IN FRONT OF HIS HOME. BOB TOLD ME THAT FROM
WHAT HE HAD UNDERSTOOD, THE INDIANS USED TO WRAP THE TREES WITH
BUCKSKIN. WHEN THE SUN HIT IT, THE SKINS TURNED WHITE AND
ADHERED TO THE TREE. AS TIME WENT ON, ALL OF THE OFFSHOOTS OF THESE
PARTICULAR TREES TOOK THIS AS AN HEREDITARY TRAIT. AND THAT IS
WHY WE HAVE WHITE BIRCH TREES.

Submitter comment: BOB SAID THAT HE HAD HEARD THIS TALE FROM A GUIDE ON A HUNTING
TRIP IN THE U.P.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): ETIOLOGICAL

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Origin of Characteristics of Plants

Date learned: 07-22-1964

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SAMA DAVA

SAMA DAVA LITERALLY MEANS 'ALONE MAIDENS' IN BULGARIAN. THESE
ARE YOUNG AND BEAUTIFUL GIRLS WHO HAVE BEEN ABDUCTED BY EVIL
SPIRITS AND TAKEN INTO THE WOODS. HERE THEY REMAIN IMMORTAL,
AS THEY TRY TO TEMPT YOUNG SHEPHERD BOYS INTO JOINING THEM. THE
SAMA DAVA RETURN TO MORTAL WOMEN, IF THEIR SPECIAL CLOTHING IS
STOLEN BY SOME FORTUNATE MAN.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT SAID PEASANTS GAVE US THE EXPLANATION OF THE SAMA
DAVA TO EXPLAIN THE DISSAPPEARANCE OF YOUNG GIRLS AND SHEPHERD
BOYS IN RURAL AREAS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): ETIOLOGICAL ; TRANSFORMATION

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter
BELIEF -- Supernatural Being

Date learned: 03-21-1970

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CUSTOM

IT IS A CUSTOM OF THE AMISH PEOPLE TO PAINT THEIR HOUSES WHITE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): COLOR

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Work Commerce Business
BELIEF -- P439
BELIEF -- Color

Date learned: 03-00-1971

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PREDICTION OR BELIEF

WHENEVER A BLACK HEN COMES INTO A HOUSE, IT IS SAID TO BE GOOD LUCK.
THE PEOPLE TRY TO KEEP IT IN THE HOUSE FOR A TIME AND MAKE WISHES
THAT THE MERE PRESENCE OF THE HEN WILL FULFILL.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA

James Callow Keyword(s): COLOR

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Bird
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Prayer
BELIEF -- Color
BELIEF -- Good luck P881.32

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TRUE RIDDLE

Q: JOHN IS IN THE OTHER ROOM SLEEPING. MARY IS ON THE FLOOR DEAD.
THERE IS WATER ON THE FLOOR NEAR MARY. THERE IS ALSO BROKEN GLASS
ON THE FLOOR NEAR MARY. MARY DID NOT DIE OF ANY WOUNDS.
HOW DID MARY DIE?
A: JOHN IS A CAT. MARY IS A FISH. JOHN KNOCKED THE FISH BOWL OFF
THE STAND AND IT BROKE AND MARY DIED OF SUFFICATION (SUFFOCATION).

Submitter comment:

YES AND NO QUESTIONS ABOUT THE RIDDLE ARE ASKED OF THE RIDDLER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): ACTIONS (Q) ; ANIMALS (A)

James Callow Keyword(s): HOUSEHOLD ITEM (Q) ; NAMES FOR

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Proper Name
RIDDLE -- True Riddle

Date learned: 09-26-1969

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MIZSLE - LITHUANIAN RIDDLE

Q: KAS JUODAS NEDAZYTAS? - WHAT IS BLACK AND UNPAINTED?
A: VARNA. - A CROW.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): ANIMAL (A) ; LITERAL ; STATE OF BEING (Q) AND COLOR

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- True Riddle

Date learned: 03-08-1968

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TRUE RIDDLE

Q: IT IS BLACK AND WHITE AND RED ALL OVER.
A: AN EMBARRASSED ZEBRA.

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; RENO HALL LOBBY

Keyword(s): ANIMAL (A) ; LITERAL ; NATURAL PHENOMENON (Q) COLOR

James Callow Keyword(s): NEWSPAPER RIDDLE, VARIAN OF ; SPELLING: RED FOR READ

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- True Riddle

Date learned: 10-01-1968

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RIDDLE

Q: WHAT IS BLACK AND WHITE AND RED ALL OVER?
A: A ZEBRA WITH A SUNBURN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): ANIMAL (A) ; METAPHORICAL ; STATE OF BEING - COLOR (Q)

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- True Riddle

Date learned: 11-00-1971

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RIDDLE

Q: WHAT IS BLACK AND WHITE AND RED ALL OVER?
A: NEWSPAPER.

Data entry tech comment: 7 OTHER EXAMPLES IN THE 5 X 8 CARD FILES.

Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA

Keyword(s): CONUNDRUM (PLAY ON WORDS) ; NATURAL PHENOMENON (Q) COLOR

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- True Riddle

Date learned: 09-12-1965

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RIDDLE

Q: WHAT HAS A RED, GREEN AND WHITE HOUSE WITH LITTLE BLACK
PEOPLE INSIDE?
A: A WATERMELOM.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): BUILDING (Q) ; EATABLES (A) ; METAPHORICAL ; PERSONS (Q) COLOR

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- True Riddle

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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RIDDLE

Q: WHAT S TWO ROWS OF BLACK HORSES ON A RED HILL?
A: A WATERMELON.

Submitter comment: YOU THOUGHT ELEPHANT JOKES WERE BAD?

Where learned: NOT GIVEN BY COLLECTOR

Keyword(s): ANIMALS (Q) COLOR ; NUMBERS ; PARTICULAR AREA (Q) COLOR

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- True Riddle

Date learned: 00-00-1968

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RIDDLE

Q: WHAT IS WHITE WHEN IT IS DIRTY AND BLACK WHEN IT IS CLEAN?
A: A BLACKBOARD.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): ANTITHETICAL ; HARDWARE (A) ; NATURAL PHENOMENON (Q) COLOR

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- True Riddle

Date learned: 00-00-1965

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RIDDLE

Q: HAIR IN THE MIDDLE AND FAT ALL AROUND.
A: A CANDLE

Submitter comment: TRANSLATED FROM LITHUANIAN

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): HOUSEHOLD ITEMS (A) ; METAPHORICAL ; PARTS OF THE BODY (Q)

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- True Riddle

Date learned: 02-17-1971

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MIZSLE - LITHUANIAN RIDDLE

Q: SUDEGE ZSUOLAS BE ANGLIUZ, BE PELENUZ. (AN OAK BURNED UP WITHOUT
LEAVING COALS OR ASHES.)
A: TVAKE - A CANDLE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): CAUSAL ; HOUSEHOLD ITEMS (A) ; NATURAL PHENOMENA (Q)

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- True Riddle

Date learned: 03-20-1968

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RIDDLE

Q: WITHOUT EARS, WITHOUT EYES IT LEADS THE BLIND.
A: A CANE.

Submitter comment: TRANSLATED FROM LITHUANIAN

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): HOUSEHOLD ITEMS (A) ; PARTS OF THE BODY (Q) ; PERSON (Q) BLIND

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- True Riddle

Date learned: 02-17-1971

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RIDDLE

Q: WHAT HAS HANDS AND NO FEET?
A: A CLOCK.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): HOUSEHOLD ITEMS (A) ; PARTS OF THE BODY (Q) ; PRIVATIONAL

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- True Riddle

Date learned: 00-00-1965

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FINNISH RIDDLE

Q: TWO MEN, TWELVE COUNTRIES, PLAYING IN EVERY COUNTRY.
KAKSI MIESTA, KAKSITOISTA MAANPAIKKAA, JOKA MAANPAIKASSA SOITETAAN.
A: A CLOCK. ( KELLO.)

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; FINLAND

Keyword(s): HOUSEHOLD ITEMS (A) ; PARTICULAR AREAS (Q) ; PERSONS (Q)

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- True Riddle

Date learned: 10-00-1968

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TRUE RIDDLE

Q: WHAT IS VERY BLACK AND YET ENLIGHTENS THE WORLD?
A: INK.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE

Keyword(s): AN ACTION (Q) ; ANTITHETICAL ; COLOR (Q) ; HOUSEHOLD ITEMS (A)

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- True Riddle

Date learned: 02-11-1970

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RIDDLE

Q: WHAT HAS A THOUSAND HOLES AND HOLDS WATER?
A: A SPONGE.

Data entry tech comment: 3 OTHER EXAMPLES IN THE 5 X 8 CARD FILES.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): ANTITHETICAL ; HOUSEHOLD ITEMS (A) ; NATURAL PHENOMENA (Q)

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- True Riddle

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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