The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

HEALING COIN

IN YUGOSLAVIA, WHEN A YOUNG GIRL GETS MARRIED, HER
HAIR IS BRAIDED. A COIN IS THEN WEAVED INTO THIS
BRAID, WHERE IT MUST STAY FROM THAT DAY FORWARD.
NOW, THE COIN IS SUPPOSED TO HAVE HEALING POWER,
AND EVERYONE BELIEVES IT. THE STEPSISTER OF THE
INFORMANT ON A VISIT TO THE COUNTRY RECENTLY, WAS
APPROACHED BY A BOY WITH A CASE OF HIVES. SHE
TOOK HIM TO A POND, WASHED HIM AND DRESSED HIM.
THE BOY WAS HEALED BY THE NEXT DAY, ALL DUE TO THE
HEALING EFFECTS OF THE COIN.

Submitter comment:

TOLD BY A NEIGHBOR, MRS. BENESTELLI, AT THE RESIDENCE
FROM HER MOTHER WHO HAD JUST RETURNED FROM YUGO-
SLAVIA, ON TAPE.

Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH

James Callow Keyword(s): Yugoslavia

Date learned: 11-01-1970

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Ethnic: Yugoslavian

Engagement:

In Yugoslavia, parents still arrange any marriages. Thus, whenever a horn is heard blowing, everyone knows that an engagement has been decided. Often, the young people involved may be the last ones to know.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original BN [F533] crossed out. Replaced with current classification

Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH

Keyword(s): Arranged Marriages ; COURTSHIP ; DATING ; Engagement ; ETHNIC ; Horn ; MARRIAGE ; Weddings ; Yugoslavia

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RECIPE

RECIPE FOR SOUR CREAM YEAST DOUGH FOR KOLACH

2 CUPS DAIRY SOUR CREAM
2 PKG DRY YEAST (FLEASCHMANN'S)
1/2 CUP WARM WATER (105-115)
1/4 CUP MARGARINE
1/3 CUP SUGAR
2 TSP. SALT
2 EGGS
ABOUT 6 CUPS OF FLOUR
HEAT SOUR CREAM OVER LOW HEAT UNTIL LUKEWARM. DISSOLVE YEAST
IN WATER IN LARGE MIXING BOWL. ADD WARM SOUR CREAM, MARGARINE,
SUGAR, SALT, EGGS, AND 2 CUPS OF THE FLOUR, BEAT UNTIL SMOOTH.
STIR IN REMAINING FLOUR UNTIL DOUGH CLEANS SIDE OF THE BOWL.
KNEAD DOUGH ON WELL FLOURED BOARD UNTIL SMOOTH, ABOUT 10 MIN.
PLACE IN GREASED BOWL, TURNING ONCE TO BRING GREASED SIDE UP.
COVER, LET RISE IN WARM PLACE (85) ABOUT 1 HOUR, OR UNTIL DOUGH
IS DOUBLE. PUNCH DOWN DOUGH, DIVIDE INTO 3 PARTS ROLL INTO
RECTANGLE 14 BY 9 INCHES, SPREAD WITH BUTTER, ADD WALNUT
FILLING (ALSO CANNED MILK) (SEE RECIPE) ROLL, PUT INTO GREASED
CAKE PAN, BRUSH WITH BEATEN EGG,
LET RISE, BAKE 350-375 DEGREES FOR
ABOUT 20 MINUTES.

Submitter comment:

I PERSONALLY KNOW THAT THIS RECIPE HAS BEEN HANDED DOWN FOR
FOUR GENERATIONS AND PERHAPS MORE THAN THAT. IT ORIGINATED IN
YUGOSLAVIA WHERE MY GRANDMOTHER WAS BORN. THIS IS ONLY MADE
AT CHRISTMAS TIME.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: HOME

Keyword(s): CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; Dough ; FOOD ; holiday ; RECIPE ; Yugoslavia

Date learned: 11-14-1971

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