Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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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
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
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
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
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 |
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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