Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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MUSLEM WEDDING CUSTOMS
THE WEDDING DAY IS PERHAPS THE DAY WHEN CUSTOMS ARE MOST
FOLLOWED AND RESPECTED. IN THE MUSLEM RELIGION PERHAPS THE MOST
SIGNIFICANT CUSTOM ON THAT OCCASSION IS THE MOMENT WHEN THE BRIDE'S
MOTHER WISHES HER A FAREWELL AND GIVES HER A SMALL COCONUT AND
SOME SUGAR CRYSTALS.
THIS IS A WAY OF TELLING HER TO BE OF USE TO EVERYONE IN
EVERY WAY AS IS THE COCONUT. THE JUICE IS USED AS A DRINK; THE
FLESH AS FOOD; THE KERNEL IS USED AS A CUP AND THE FIBERS OUTSIDE
ARE USED TO MAKE A FIRE. NO PART OF IT IS WASTED. IT, HOWEVER,
LACKS IN SWEETNESS AND SO THE BRIDE IS GIVEN SUGAR CRYSTALS WITH
IT WHICH MAKES HER COMPLETE IF SHE FOLLOWS THE EXAMPLE OF THE
COCONUT.
Submitter comment: AS TOLD TO ME BY MISS HAJI.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): MUSLIM, MOSLEM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Morning before wedding |
Date learned: 01-02-1970
MARRIAGE CUSTOM: FORMOSA (TAIWAN)
"UNTIL HALF A CENTURY AGO, RELATIVES AND FRIENDS IN
CHINA HIRED A PROFESSIONAL GO-BETWEEN, USUALLY WOMEN, TO ARRANGE
MARRIAGES BETWEEN CHILDREN. IF THE GO-BETWEEN KNOWS OF A BOY AND A
GIRL THAT WOULD MAKE A GOOD MATCH, BOTH FAMILIES ARE CONSULTED.
IF THEY AGREE, THE BOY'S HOROSCOPE CHARACTERS, THEY ARE CALLED
"EIGHT CHARACTERS", ARE SENT TO THE GIRL'S FAMILY. THE CHARACTERS
ARE PUT UNDER THE FAMILY GOD FOR THREE DAYS, AND THEN CONSULTED TO
SEE WHETHER THEY HARMONIZE WITH THE GIRL'S "EIGHT CHARACTERS".
IF THEY CLASH, THE MARRIAGE IS CALLED OFF WITHOUT ANY DETRIMENT
TO THE GIRL'S GOOD NAME. IF THEY HARMONIZE, A "LITTLE BETROTHEL"
WILL TAKE PLACE ALMOST IMMEDIATELY."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Parental arrangement of marriage |
Date learned: 02-15-1968
COURTSHIP IN PAKISTAN
IN PAKISTAN, YOUNG PEOPLE NEVER CHOOSE THEIR OWN PARTNER IN
MARRIAGE. THE PARENTS CHOOSE THE PARTNER AND IT IS ONLY WHEN THEY
HAVE BEEN FORMALLY ENGAGED THAT THEY COME TO KNOW EACH OTHER BETTER,
BUT OF COURSE, THEN THERE IS NOT MUCH CHOICE LEFT FOR THEM.
Submitter comment: AS TOLD TO ME BY MISS HAJI.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Parental arrangement of marriage |
Date learned: 01-02-1970
HALLOWEEN CUSTOMS
ON HALLOWEEN THE INFORMANTS MOTHER AND HER FRIENDS USED TO GO
"WINDOW-RATTLING." A WINDOW RATTLER IS MADE BY CUTTING NOTCHES
AROUND BOTH ENDS OF A SPOOL, AND WRAPPING STRING AROUND IT.
THEN YOU PUT A PENCIL THROUGH THE HOLE IN THE SPOOL. WHEN YOU HOLD
THE RATTLER AGAINST A WINDOW AND PULL THE STRING A LOUD NOISE IS
PRODUCED, SCARING THE OCCUPANTS OF THE HOUSE.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT'S MOTHER IS 45, IRISH-AMERICAN, LIFE-LONG RESIDENT OF
LITTLE FALLS, NEW YORK
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): PRANKS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- October 31 Halloween CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 09-18-1969
IF YOU PUT A DANDELION UNDER A PERSON'S CHIN, AND IT
REFLECTS YELLOW, IT MEANS THAT THE PERSON LIKES
BUTTER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Animal product Butter BELIEF -- Use of Object Plant |
Date learned: 10-00-1967
PUT A DROP OF COFFEE IN A CUP, HOLD IT OVER A FIRE
UNTIL IT DRIES; THEN READ YOUR FUTURE IN THE
FIGURES IT FORMS IN THE BOTTOM OF YOUR CUP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Use of Object Plant |
Date learned: 03-31-1968
AFTER DRINKING TURKISH COFFEE, AN ARMENIAN LADY WILL
TURN THE COFFEE CUP UPSIDE DOWN LETTING THE GRINDS
SLIDE AND FORMING IMAGES. THE LADY WILL THEN TALK
ABOUT WHAT SHE SEES IN THESE IMAGES.
Submitter comment: TOLD BY MOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Non-alcoholic fruit beverage Coffee BELIEF -- Use of Object Food |
Date learned: 09-00-1967
AFTER THE LADIES IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC HAVE
FINISHED DRINKING THEIR COFFEE, THEY TURN THE CUP
UPSIDE DOWN AND LET THE GRINDS SLIDE FORMING
IMAGES. THEY THEN INTERPRET THESE IMAGES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Non-alcoholic fruit beverage Coffee BELIEF -- Use of Object Food |
Date learned: 09-00-1967
KNOCK KNOCK JOKE
KNOCK KNOCK
WHO'S THERE?
DOOLITTLE
DOOLITTLE WHO?
DOOLITTLE GIRLS IN BLUE
Submitter comment:
TWO LITTLE GIRLS IN BLUE WAS A POPULAR
FOLK SONG WHEN MY MOTHER WAS LITTLE.
SHE LEARNED THIS KNOCKKNOCK IN DETROIT
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
MARRIAGE CUSTOM
AFTER A YOUNG COUPLE RETURNS HOME FROM THEIR HONEYMOON, THE PEOPLE
WOULD ALWAYS HAVE A "BANJO". THAT MEANS THEY WAIT UNTIL THEY ARE
SETTLED IN BED AND THEN EVERYONE MEETS AT THEIR HOUSE AND BLOWS
HORNS AND YELLS UNTIL THE BRIDE AND GROOM COME OUT AND INVITE
EVERYONE IN.
Submitter comment: ITEM WAS LEARNED IN NOVA SCOTIA ALTHOUGH COLLECTED IN DETROIT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; BOTSFORD GRADE SCHOOL ; CLARENCEVILLE DISTRICT
James Callow Keyword(s): CHARIVARI ; SHIVAREE
Date learned: 11-00-1982
SYNTAX CHANGE
THE YARD SURROUNDING THE HOME WAS CALLED A DOOR-YARD RATHER THAN A
FRONT OR BACK YARD.
Submitter comment: ITEM WAS LEARNED IN NOVA SCOTIA ALTHOUGH COLLECTED IN DETROIT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; BOTSFORD GRADE SCHOOL ; CLARENCEVILLE DISTRICT
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Common Word SPEECH -- Vocabulary of Special Group |
Date learned: 11-00-1982
TAKE TWO MATCHBOOKS AND PUT THEM ON TOP OF EACH OTHER.
MAKE SURE THEY ARE OPENED AND IF ONE FALLS, YOU HAVE A
LOW SEX LIFE.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM ONE OF HER FRIENDS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Marriage Dating Courtship BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 02-20-1971
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RIDDLE
WHAT DO THEY CALL AN ICECREAM VENDOR IN ARIZONA?
A GOOD YUMA MAN.
Where learned: DETROIT
Keyword(s): GOOD HUMOR MAN ; PLACE
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 11-26-1967
RIDDLE
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A TUNA FISH AND A PIANO?
YOU CAN'T TUNE A FISH
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 11-26-1967
RIDDLE
HOW DO YOU MAKE ANTI-FREEZE?
TAKE HER CLOTHES AWAY.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 11-26-1967
RIDDLE
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO CATCH A SQUIRREL?
ACT LIKE A NUT.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 11-26-1967
RIDDLE
WHERE WAS THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE SIGNED?
AT THE BOTTOM.
Where learned: DETROIT
Keyword(s): HISTORICAL
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 10-26-1967
RIDDLE
WHAT IS ORANGE AND WRITES?
A BALL POINT CARROT.
Where learned: DETROIT
Keyword(s): COLOR ; PLANT VEGETABLE
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 10-26-1967