Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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IT IS AN AMERICAN CUSTOM TO STAND ON TIMES SQUARE (NEW YORK
CITY) ON NEW YEAR'S EVE WATCHING THE BALL DROP WHICH
SIGNIFIES THE ENTRANCE OF THE NEW YEAR.
Submitter comment: LEARNED THIS FROM EXPERIENCE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve BELIEF -- Use of Object BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 09-00-1967
AT MIDNIGHT ON NEW YEAR'S EVE, ONE GOES OUTSIDE TO GREET
THE NEW YEAR, AND THEN THE MAN MUST PROCEED INSIDE FIRST
FOR GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve BELIEF -- Use of Object BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 10-00-1967
WHATEVER YOU DO ON NEW YEAR'S DAY IS TYPICAL OF WHAT THE
NEW YEAR WILL BE LIKE FOR YOU. THIS PERSON DID NOT
BELIEVE IN THIS PRACTICE, BUT SAID THAT HIS MOTHER DID
AND CITED THE TIMES WHEN SHE REQUIRED ALL OF THE FAMILY
TO ATTEND MASS TOGETHER--HE SAID THEY "HUMORED HER."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's |
Date learned: 01-20-1968
EAT SALTY FISH ON NEW YEAR'S EVE FOR GOOD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
SYLVIA COLLECTED THIS FROM HER SISTER, WHO IN TURN, LEARNED
IT AT THE NURSES' LOUNGE AT BEAUMONT HOSPITAL, DETROIT (ROYAL
OAK), MICHIGAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; ROYAL OAK ; DETROIT ; NURSES LOUNGE ; BEAUMONT HOSPITAL
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 09-23-1967
POLISH CUSTOM
ON NEW YEAR'S EVE, POLISH PEOPLE EAT HERRING BECAUSE THIS
MEANS GOOD LUCK FOR THE WHOLE NEW YEAR.
Submitter comment:
CHRIS AND HERR FAMILY HAVE HERING ON NEW YEAR'S FOR GOOD
LUCK EVEN TODAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 02-24-1970
AT THE STROKE OF MIDNIGHT ON NEW YEAR'S EVE GO OUTSIDE AND
THROW HERRING OVER YOUR SHOULDER AND YOU WILL HAVE GOOD
LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 10-20-1970
GERMAN CUSTOM
ON THE NIGHT OF DECEMBER 5, THE GERMAN CHILDREN PUT
A SHOE IN THE WINDOW OF THEIR HOUSE. THE CHILDREN
BELIEVE THAT ST. NICHOLAS PUTS COOKIES, NUTS, ETC.
IN THE SHOE.
Submitter comment: SHE LEARNED IT BECAUSE SHE LIVED IN GERMANY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; GERMANY ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F120 |
Date learned: 02-07-1967
CHRISTMAS IS CELEBRATED IN PUERTO RICO ON JANUARY 6.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; PUERTO RICO
Keyword(s): BALTHAZAR ; KASPAR ; MELCHIOR
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany |
Date learned: 10-20-1971
POLISH FEAST OF THE THREE KINGS
ON JANUARY 6, THE FEAST OF THE THREE KINGS, PRIESTS
VISIT THE HOMES OF POLISH CATHOLICS BEARING CHALK,
MYRRH, AND INCENSE. THEY BLESS THE HOUSE AND WRITE
THE NAMES OF THE THREE KINGS OVER THE DOORWAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BALTHAZAR ; KASPAR ; MELCHIOR
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany |
Date learned: 11-00-1968
LA BEFANA
SHE IS AN OLD, UGLY, BENEFICIENT LADY THAT COMES AT
NIGHT DOWN THE CHIMNEY. SHE LEAVES GIFTS IN SHOES,
STOCKINGS, SOCKS; GIFTS AND CANDIES ARE LEFT FOR GOOD
CHILDREN AND PIECES OF COAL FOR BAD CHILDREN. SHE
COMES ON THE EVE OF EPIFANY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 5 |
Date learned: 03-00-1968
EACH SEMESTER, ABOUT THREE WEEKS AFTER SCHOOL STARTS,
TAU KAPPA EPSILON HAS THEIR CARNATION BALL. IT IS A
PARTY DURING WHICH BIDS ARE HANDED OUT TO PROSPECTIVE
PLEDGES. EACH BOY TO WHOM THE FRATERNITY OFFERS
A BID IS TAKEN DOWNSTAIRS ONE AT A TIME. IF HE ACCEPTS
THE BID, HE COMES UPSTAIRS WEARING A RED CARNATION IN
HIS LAPEL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
WHEN I WAS A CHILD I WAS A WEBELO (PERIOD BEFORE BOY
SCOUTS). TO BE INITIATED IN THE WEBELOES, THE NEW
MEMBER WAS TOLD TO GO IN THE GARAGE AND MILK THE GOAT.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT WAS A WEBELO, AND WHEN HE WAS TOLD TO MILK
THE GOAT, HE REFUSED BECAUSE HE KNEW THAT GOATS
WEREN'T ALLOWED TO BE KEPT IN THE CITY. THERE
WASN'T ANY GOAT IN THE GARAGE, IT WAS JUST A PUT-ON.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 11-10-1971
WHEN THE FLEMISH BUILD A HOUSE, AND THE WALL BOARD IS UP,
THEY TIE AN EVERGREEN TO THE CORNER OF THE HOUSE.
Submitter comment: TOLD BY GRANDMOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Foundation rite Laying of cornerstone |
Date learned: 09-00-1967
SLOVAK CUSTOM
ON THE FEAST OF THE THREE KINGS (JANUARY 6) THE SLOVAKS HAVE
A CUSTOM IN WHICH THE PARISH PRIEST VISITS EACH HOME IN THE
AREA. AS HE ENTERS THE HOUSE, HE WRITES IN CHALK THE SYMBOL
OF THE THREE KINGS OVER THE THRESHOLD OF ONE'S DOOR. THEN,
THE ENTIRE HOUSE IS BLESSED.
James Callow comment: THIS IS BACKLOG MATERIAL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany |
Date learned: 10-02-1971
JAPANESE CUSTOM
ON JANUARY 2ND, LONG LINES OF CITIZENS GATHER AT THE IMPERIAL
PALACE OF DOUBLE BRIDGE ( NIJUBASHI ) AND GIVE CHEERS ( BANZAI )
THREE TIMES. BANZAI MEANS LONG LIFE, AND WE CHEER THREE TIMES
BECAUSE THREE IS A LUCKY NUMBER.
Submitter comment: WISH EMPEROR LUCK FOR THE COMING YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- 39815 BELIEF -- Number |
Date learned: 02-04-1968
TO TEST IF YOUR HUSBAND HAS BEEN UNFAITHFUL, DRAW
A CIRCLE ON THE GROUND, TAKE A HOT IRON WHICH
HE HAS TO CARRY ON HIS HAND THREE TIMES AROUND THE
CIRCLE AND IF HE DOESN'T BURN HIMSELF, HE IS
INNOCENT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Day after wedding |
Date learned: 02-00-1968
LIGHTNING BUG
IF YOU CATCH A LIGHTNING BUG
YOU CAN MAKE A WISH.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT IS A FRIEND OF MINE, AND HE REMEMBERS
THIS FROM HIS CHILDHOOD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; FERNDALE ; TOLD IN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 00-00-1971
GEORGE EATS OLD GRAY RABBITS AND PAINTS HOUSES
YELLOW.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- MNEM |
Date learned: 11-27-1971
SONG
IN THE LAND OF ODEN
THERE IS A MOUNTAIN
WHICH IS TWENTY MILLION
MILES IN THE AIR.
AND EVERY MILLION YEARS
A LITTLE BIRD COMES A WINGING
TO SHARPEN HIS BEAK ON THAT MOUNTAIN;
THEN HE QUICKLY DISAPPEARS.
AND WHEN THAT MOUNTAIN
HAS WORN AWAY
THAT'S WHEN ETERNITY WILL BE
ONE SINGLE DAY
ONE SINGLE DAY
ONE SINGLE DAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LAPEER ; CAMP O'FAIRWINDS
James Callow Keyword(s): ODIN ; RELATIVITY
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Religious BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Formation BELIEF -- Measure of time |
Date learned: 06-00-1979
THERE SHOULD BE IVY IN A BRIDE'S WEDDING BOUQUET.
BEFORE THE BRIDE THROWS THE FLOWERS, SHE TAKES A
PIECE OF THE IVY. LATER ON, SHE PLANTS THE IVY.
THE GROWING OF THE IVY SYMBOLIZES THE GROWING LOVE
OF THE HUSBAND AND WIFE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Day after wedding |
Date learned: 03-10-1972