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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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BELIEF IN A CUSTOM ( EASTER )
ON EASTER SUNDAY THE HARD-BOILED DYED EGGS THAT EACH PERSON HAS ARE
CUT INTO PIECES WHICH ARE THEN EXCHANGED AMONG THE PEOPLE AT THE
TABLE--EACH PERSON HAS 1 PIECE OF EVERYONE ELSE'S EGG. THE
SUPERSTITION HAS IT THAT ALL THE PEOPLE AT THE TABLE WILL BE THERE
AGAIN NEXT YEAR.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LEARNED ABOUT IT IN HER CHILDHOOD (1922-29) FROM HER
MOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE ILE
Keyword(s): FAMILY UNITY ; FOOD CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter eggs CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 10-04-1970
SPRING CUSTOM EASTER
SOME UKRANIAN ( UKRAINIAN ) PEOPLE ON EASTER HAVE THE HEAD OF THE
HOUSEHOLD SELECT ONE COLORED EGG AND DIVIDE IT INTO AS MANY PARTS
AS ARE PEOPLE AT THE TABLE. EACH PERSON EATS A PART OF THE EGG. THE
HEAD OF THE HOUSEHOLD DECLARES, "CHRIST HAS RISEN" AND THE OTHERS
REPLY, "INDEED CHRIST HAS RISEN".
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT'S FRIEND SMENA RAKOVSKEY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
WAS UKRANIAN ( UKRAINIAN ) AND HIS FAMILY DID THIS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FAMILY UNITY ; FOOD CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter eggs CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 10-25-1971
EASTER
AFTER MASS ON SUNDAY THE FAMILY GATHERS AROUND THE TABLE AND THE
FATHER IS TO SPLIT ONE HARD BOILED EGG AMONG THE MEMBERS OF THE
FAMILY AND EACH IS TO EAT IT WITH HORSERADISH.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT'S FAMILY PRACTICES THIS ACTIVITY EACH EASTER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FAMILY UNITY ; FOOD CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter eggs CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday |
Date learned: 03-06-1971
EASTER
ON EASTER MORNING, THE HEAD OF THE HOUSEHOLD TAKES ONE COLORED
EASTER EGG AND PEELS IT. HE DIVIDES IT EVENLY FOR AS MANY PEOPLE
LIVING IN HIS HOME AND AFTER RECITING A PRAYER IN SLOVAK, GIVES
EACH PERSON IN HIS HOME A PIECE OF THE EGG. IT SYMBOLIZES
TOGETHERNESS IN THE FAMILY AND THAT GOD WILLING, ALL IN THE FAMILY
WILL LIVE UNTIL NEXT EASTER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
Keyword(s): FAMILY UNITY ; FOOD CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter eggs CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
EASTER CUSTOM
A TRADITION WE WOULD TAKE PART IN AT EASTER WAS THAT THE HEAD OF THE
FAMILY WOULD CUT A BLESSED EGG APART INTO AS MANY PIECES AS MEMBERS
OF HIS FAMILY. EACH WOULD TAKE A PIECE AND WOULD WISH THE BEST AND
FINEST HE COULD THINK OF TO THE REST OF THE FAMILY.
Keyword(s): FAMILY UNITY ; FOOD CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter eggs CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
EASTER-TOAST
THE FIRST FOOD EATEN ON EASTER MORNING IS A PIECE OF HARD-BOILED
EGG THAT WAS BLEST ON HOLY SATURDAY. IT IS USED IN
GIVING A TOAST OF HAPPY EASTER TO THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FAMILY UNITY ; FOOD CUSTOM ; SWIECZONKA
Date learned: 03-10-1970
EASTER CUSTOM (POLISH)
( THE ) WHOLE FAMILY MUST EAT PIECES OF A BLESSED EGG TOGETHER
BEFORE THEY EAT EASTER DINNER. THE SYMBOLISM IS A
CORRELATION BETWEEN CHRIST COMING OUT OF THE TOMB WITH NO HELP AND
THE EGG COMING OUT OF THE HEN WITH NO HELP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE
Keyword(s): FAMILY UNITY ; FOOD CUSTOM
Date learned: 09-00-1969
EASTER CUSTOM
AT THE BEGINNING OF BREAKFAST THE FATHER SHARES FOOD WITH THE REST OF
THE FAMILY. HE SLICES UP BLESSED BREAD, EGGS AND KIELBASA AND GIVES
A SMALL PIECE TO EVERYONE. THIS FOOD MUST BE EATEN BEFORE ADDITIONAL
FOOD IS TAKEN.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; GLENVIEW
Keyword(s): FAMILY UNITY ; FOOD CUSTOM
Date learned: 11-29-1970
EASTER DAY
THE FOOD THAT WAS BLESSED ON SATURDAY MUST BE EATEN FOR BREAKFAST.
IT MUST INCLUDE HORSERADISH TO REPRESENT THE BURNING LIQUID GIVEN
CHRIST WHILE HE HUNG ON THE CROSS. THE REMAINING FOOD SHOULD BE
SHARED WITH THE DAY'S VISITORS SO THAT IT IS FINISHED ON SUNDAY.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; ERIE
Keyword(s): CHARITY, HOSPITALITY ; FAMILY UNITY ; FOOD CUSTOM ; SWIECZONKA ; SYMBOL
EASTER MORNING RITUAL (OR CUSTOM)
ON EASTER MORNING, AFTER RESURRECTION MASS, THE FAMILY WOULD ALL
GATHER FOR BREAKFAST, MADE UP OF THE THINGS FOUND IN THE SWIECONKA
(EASTER BASKET BLESSED AT CHURCH ON HOLY SATURDAY).
MY FATHER WOULD TAKE ONE OF THE BOILED, PEELED EGGS (BLESSED) AND CUT
IT INTO FIVE PIECES--ONE FOR EACH MEMBER OF THE FAMILY. THEN HE
WOULD TAKE A PIECE OF RAW HORSERADISH (SCRAPED CLEAN THE PREVIOUS
DAY) AND GIVE EACH OF US A PIECE OF IT. A LOAF OF RYE BREAD WAS CUT
AND DISTRIBUTED TO EACH OF US (IT WAS A TINY LOAF, MADE ESPECIALLY
FOR THE EASTER BASKET), AS WAS THE KIELBASA, BUTTER AND COFFEE CAKE.
AFTER EACH OF US HAD AT LEAST A TINY PIECE OF EACH OF THE ABOVE, WE
WERE ALLOWED TO HAVE LARGER PORTIONS OF THE NON-BLESSED FOOD.
HOWEVER, ONE OF THE RITUALS THAT MY DAD WOULD GO THROUGH WAS TAKING
A WHOLE, BLESSED EGG (BOILED AND PEELED) AND RUBBING IT ON HIS JAW,
FROM LEFT EAR TO HIS CHIN THEN TO THE RIGHT EAR, THEN BACK AGAIN TO
THE LEFT. THIS, HE TOLD US, WOULD WARD OFF TOOTHACHES.
Submitter comment:
AS FAR AS I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DETERMINE, MY FATHER GOT THIS CUSTOM
FROM HIS PARENTS WHO WERE BORN AND RAISED IN POLAND. MY FATHER CAME
TO AMERICA IN 1914, AT THE AGE OF !7.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FAMILY UNITY ; FOOD CUSTOM ; SWIECZONKA
Date learned: 04-00-1965
SLOVAK EASTER CUSTOM
ON MONDAY AFTER EASTER SUNDAY, THE YOUNG, SINGLE MEN WENT OUT TO
SEE HIS FAVORITE GIRL AND POURED PERFUMED WATER
ON HER HEAD AND SHE USED IT TO WASH HER
FACE .
BUT THE BOYS WHO HAD NO GIRL IN PARTICULAR WENT INTO HOMES, DRAGGED
THE YOUNG LADY OUT TO THE WELL, AND DOUSED HER GOOD. THE MORE
POPULAR THE YOUNG LADY IS, THE MORE MEN CAME, AND OF COURSE THE
PARENTS WERE VERY HAPPY THAT THEIR DAUGHTER IS SO POPULAR AND HAD
MANY WOULD-BE SUITERS.
WHEN THE BOYS WATERED THE GIRLS, THE GIRL'S PARENTS INVITED THE BOYS
INTO THEIR HOME AND OFFERED THEM GOODIES AND DRINKS; SLIVOVIC (A PLUM
LIQUOR), KOLBASI, HAM, ETC.
ON EASTER TUESDAY, THE YOUNG LADIES TRIED TO RETURN THE WATER
SPLASHING ON THE YOUNG MEN.
THE EASTER HOLIDAY LASTED THREE DAYS.
Where learned: OHIO ; CLEVELAND
Keyword(s): DYNGUS DAY ; FOOD CUSTOM ; REVENGE ; SUITORS ; WATER
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Tuesday Revenge Day |
Date learned: 00001967 FALL
CUSTOM
ON THE DAY AFTER EASTER, THE FIRST GIRL A BOY SAW, HE WOULD SPRINKLE
HER WITH WATER. HOWEVER BOYS ARE BOYS WHEREVER YOU GO AND THEY
USUALLY USED A WHOLE BUCKET OF WATER ON EVERY GIRL THEY MET. THEIR
GIRL FRIENDS THEY SPRINKLED WITH PERFUME OR COLOGNE.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated and Motifs Added / 02-28-2011 / TRD
Informant and collector share same surname.
Where learned: TAYLOR ; Michigan Consolidated Gas Company ; informant's home
Keyword(s): Boy ; Cologne ; COURTSHIP ; CUSTOM ; DYNGUS DAY ; Female ; Flirt ; Flirtation ; Girl ; holiday ; Male ; Perfume ; RITUAL ; Scent ; WATER
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus |
Date learned: 11-27-1967
SWITCHING DAY
ON THE DAY AFTER EASTER POLISH GIRLS STAY INSIDE IF THEY
KNOW WHAT'S GOOD FOR THEM. THE BOYS ARE OUT TO GET THEM WITH WATER
BALLOONS, EGGS, NUTS AND VARIOUS OTHER GOODIES. SOMETIMES IN THE
MORNING PARENTS WILL LET NEIGHBORHOOD BOYS IN, AND THEY QUIETLY MAKE
WAY TO THE DAUGHTER'S BEDROOM WHERE SHE SLEEPS, AND
BEGIN TO "SWITCH" THE FEET WITH LIMBS OF PUSSY WILLOW
TREES; THEY MAY ALSO SPRINKLE WATER ON THE GIRLS. THIS CUSTOM IS
DERIVED FROM THE ACTION OF LONG AGO
WHEN ST. STEPHEN WAS STONED THE DAY AFTER
EASTER. HOWEVER, THE BOYS MUST BEWARE, FOR TUESDAY IS REVENGE
DAY AND THE GIRLS ARE OUT TO GET THEM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS
Keyword(s): DYNGUS DAY ; RITUAL WHIPPING ; WATER ; WILLOW
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Tuesday Revenge Day |
Date learned: 11-22-1971
POLISH CUSTOM ON EASTER MONDAY--SWITCH DAY
MY MOTHER, WHO WAS BORN AND REARED IN HAMTRAMCK, MICHIGAN, SAID
IT WAS THE CUSTOM FIFTY YEARS AGO (C. 1915) FOR THE BOYS IN THE
NEIGHBORHOOD TO GET UP REAL EARLY ON THE MONDAY FOLLOWING EASTER
SUNDAY AND VISIT THE HOMES OF THE GIRLS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
SINCE THERE WAS NO SCHOOL THAT DAY THE GIRLS WOULD
BE TRYING TO SLEEP IN. THE BOYS
ALWAYS IN GROUPS OF THREE OR FOUR WOULD BE ADMITTED INTO THE HOUSE
AND IF ANY GIRLS WERE STILL IN BED THEY WOULD BE CONDUCTED, BY THE
GIRLS' MOTHER TO THE BEDROOM WHERE AMIDST MUCH PROTEST, EITHER
FEIGNED OR ACTUAL, THEY BEAT THE GIRLS ABOUT THE FEET AND ANKLES.
THEIR WEAPONS FOR THIS TASK WOULD BE WILLOW SWITCHES WHICH
WERE SOFT AND GREEN. APPARENTLY NO ONE WAS EVER HURT PHYSICALLY
BUT THE SCENE WAS USUALLY QUITE WILD. THE BOYS WOULD THEN STAY AND HAVE
BREAKFAST, USUALLY HAM OR KIELBASA LEFT OVER FROM THE PREVIOUS DAY.
Submitter comment:
(RITES OF LUPERCAL IN "JULIUS CAESAR"??)
Data entry tech comment:
Informant is collector's mother.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): DYNGUS DAY ; RITUAL WHIPPING ; WILLOW
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus |
Date learned: 00-00-1946
EASTER MONDAY
THE DAY AFTER EASTER WAS CALLED "DYNGUS DAY" OR "SWITCHING DAY."
THE MONDAY AFTER EASTER THE BOYS WOULD SWITCH THE GIRLS OR IN OTHER
WORDS THEY WOULD HIT THEM ON THE LEGS WITH A SWITCH OR A PIECE OF
STICK. IF THE BOY CAUGHT YOU AND SWITCHED YOU, YOU HAD TO GIVE HIM
SOME CANDY OR AN APPLE OR HERE IN AMERICA SOME MONEY. THE NEXT
DAY, TUESDAY, IT WAS THE GIRL'S TURN TO SWITCH THE BOYS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; informant's home
Keyword(s): DYNGUS DAY ; EASTER GIFTS ; FOOD CUSTOM ; HEALTH ; REVENGE ; RITUAL WHIPPING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Tuesday Revenge Day |
Date learned: 03-11-1970
DYNGUS DAY
ACCORDING TO OLD POLISH CUSTOM, ON EASTER MONDAY, ALL YOUNG POLISH
BOYS ARE ALLOWED TO TEASE GIRLS AND SWITCH THEM LIGHTLY WITH A
BRANCH OR TWIG ETC. THIS IS A SIGN OF SPRING AND A YOUNG BOY
BECOMING INTERESTED IN GIRLS.
Submitter comment:
IT IS A CUSTOM IN INFORMANT'S FAMILY ALSO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): DYNGUS DAY ; RITUAL WHIPPING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus |
SWITCH DAY
THE DAY AFTER EASTER IS KNOWN AS SWITCH DAY (DIENGUS) AMONG POLES.
ON THIS DAY BOYS BUY RED SWITCHES AND ARE ALLOWED TO TRY AND
"SWITCH" THE GIRLS. IF THEY SUCCEED, THE GIRLS MUST TAKE THEM HOME
FOR DINNER, WHERE THE GIRLS' FATHERS SEE THAT THE BOYS HAVE ALL THEY
WANT TO EAT AND DRINK. THE DAY AFTER THIS, THE SITUATION IS
REVERSED AND THE GIRLS GET TO SWITCH THE BOYS THEN TAKE THEM HOME
FOR DINNER.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS STILL A CUSTOM PRACTICED IN HAMTRAMCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): DYNGUS DAY ; FOOD CUSTOM ; REVENGE ; RITUAL WHIPPING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Tuesday Revenge Day |
Date learned: 04-10-1967
CUSTOM
ON THE DAY AFTER EASTER, THE POLISH CHILDREN WOULD GO FROM HOUSE TO
HOUSE KNOCKING ON THE DOORS. THE PEOPLE INVITED THEM INSIDE
WHERE ONE OF THE CHILDREN WOULD BRUSH THE PERSON ACROSS THE ANKLES
WITH A SWITCH WHILE THE OTHERS RECITED A SPECIAL GROUP OF WORDS.
WHEN THEY WERE FINISHED, THE OWNER OF THE HOUSE WOULD GIVE THEM
A BLESSED EGG, A PIECE OF CANDY, OR IN MOST CASES, MONEY.
THIS WAS CALLED DINGUS DAY, THE NAME DERIVED FROM THE WORDS RECITED;
DINGUS, DINGUS, PODINGUS...
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share the same surname.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; TAYLOR
Keyword(s): EASTER GIFTS ; RITUAL SPEECH ; RITUAL WHIPPING
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Custom Festival C840.663 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus |
Date learned: 11-27-1967
AFTER-EASTER CUSTOM
DYNGUS DAY (SWITCH DAY)--ON EASTER MONDAY, BOYS IN CERTAIN POLISH
VILLAGES WILL SWITCH GIRLS THEY LIKE ON THE LEGS WITH A WILLOW
BRANCH, AND THEN WILL POUR A LITTLE WATER ON THEIR LEGS TO TEASE
THEM; SORT OF A COUNTERPART TO OUR SADIE HAWKINS DAY.
Where learned: OVER THE TELEPHONE
Keyword(s): DYNGUS DAY ; RITUAL WHIPPING ; WATER
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus |
Date learned: 11-02-1971
ON EASTER MONDAY, TO PROTECT THE CHILDREN OF THE HOUSE FROM EVIL, IT
IS ADVISABLE TO WRITE THE INITIALS OF THE THREE WISE MEN
OVER THE HOUSE DOOR.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share the same surname.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
Keyword(s): SYMBOLS: INITIALS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus BELIEF -- Word Letter |
Date learned: 10-25-1969