Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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ON THE FEAST OF ST. JOSEPH PEOPLE IN SICILY MAKE
SMALL SWEET CAKES FOR THE FEAST DAY, BECAUSE
THE STORY OF ST. JOSEPH GOING TO EGYPT SAYS HE
MADE CAKES FOR THE JOURNEY.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS DONE AT INFORMANT'S EVERY YEAR FOR HIS
WHOLE LIFE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Date learned: 10-06-1970
ANYTHING YOU GET NEW YOU SHOULD WEAR TO CHURCH FIRST.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Dress |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
ON DYNGUS DAY, A CERTAIN DAY IN THE SPRINGTIME,
THE BOYS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD CAN DO ANYTHING THEY
WANT TO, TO THE GIRLS. THE MOTHERS LET THE BOYS
COME IN THE HOUSE. THEY MAY GO INTO THE GIRLS'
BEDROOM AND THROW PERFUME ON THEM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
SWITCH DAY
EVERY YEAR IN GRADE SCHOOL, ONE DAY WAS DESIGNATED
SWITCH DAY. ON THAT DAY, EVERYONE CARRIED A
LIGHT BRANCH OR SWITCH WITH HIM. IF A BOY HIT A
GIRL WITH THIS SWITCH (OR VICE VERSA) SHE HAD TO
GIVE HIM A PENNY.
Submitter comment: COLLECTOR DOESN'T THINK THIS WAS A FIXED DATE.
James Callow comment:
I HAVE GIVEN THIS ITEM THE BOGGS NUMBER FOR DYNGUS DAY
ONLY TO PROMPT COMPARISON.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus |
Date learned: 11-00-1968
ON THE EVE OF ALL SAINTS DAY THE CHILDREN WOULD PUT THEIR SHOES
OUT TO BE FILLED WITH CANDY BY THE SAINTS.
Data entry tech comment: ALL SAINTS DAY: NOVEMBER 1.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE PARK
Keyword(s): GIFTS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- October 31 Halloween BELIEF -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 11-13-1971
PRANK
TELL SOMEONE THAT THERE'S A SPECIAL MESSAGE WRITTEN
IN ONE OF HIS BOOKS BETWEEN PAGES 71 AND 72. IF
CURIOSITY DOESN'T PROD HIM TO OPEN THE BOOK AND
LOOK, INSIST THAT IT MIGHT BE SOMETHING OF IMPORTANCE.
WHEN HE DOES TURN BETWEEN 71 AND 72 (IN AN AMERICAN
PRINTED BOOK) HE'LL FIND THAT THESE TWO PAGES ARE
BACK TO BACK ON ONE LEAF, AND POSSIBLY BECOME
EXCEEDINGLY EMBARRASSED THAT HE'S BEEN "TOOK."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 12-05-1967
ON YOUR BIRTHDAY YOU HAVE AS MANY CANDLES ON YOUR
CAKE AS THE NUMBER OF YEARS YOU ARE. IF YOU CAN BLOW
THEM ALL OUT IN ONE BREATH, A WISH THAT YOU MADE BEFORE
YOU BLEW THEM OUT WILL COME TRUE.
Submitter comment: HER FAMILY FOLLOWS THIS CUSTOM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Private birthday or anniversary BELIEF -- Prayer BELIEF -- Number |
Date learned: 02-08-1967
CHRISTMAS TRADITION
FOR CHRISTMAS, THIS FAMILY HANGS UP MISTLETOE FOR
DECORATION ONLY. NOTHING HAPPENS WHEN YOU WALK
UNDER IT.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM HIS PARENTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Mistletoe and other greenery |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
ARABIC PROVERB
THI HICK BILLEH SEBAP MIN KILLITIL ADEP.
TRANSLATED: LAUGHTER FOR NO REASON IS BAD MANNERS.
Submitter comment:
WHEN SOMEONE IS CAUGHT LAUGHING WITHOUT SOMETHING
TO LAUGH ABOUT, THIS PROVERB IS STATED WHICH MEANS
THAT SOMEONE LACKS SOCIAL MANNERS AND ETIQUETTE.
COULD ALSO BE A CURSE, WHAT ONE LAUGHED ABOUT WILL
EVENTUALLY HAUNT THEM BECAUSE IT IS SECRET.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FRANKLIN VILLAGE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 00001960S
GERMAN CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
IN GERMANY, THREE BOYS DRESS UP LIKE THE THREE KINGS
AND THEY GO TO FARMHOUSES AND SING CHRISTMAS SONGS.
ONE BOY HAS A LONG STICK WITH A STAR ON THE TOP OF IT.
THEY COLLECT APPLES, NUTS, ETC.
Submitter comment: SHE LEARNED IT BECAUSE SHE LIVED IN GERMANY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; GERMANY ; DETROIT
Date learned: 02-07-1967
FRENCH CANADIAN:
WHEN A HUSBAND DIES AND THE WIDOW CUTS HER HAIR,
IT IS THOUGHT THAT SHE WAS TRYING TO ATTAIN A NEW
HUSBAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAZEL PARK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
IN OBERAMERGAUE, GERMANY DURING CHRISTMAS TIME, THEY
HOLD A PASSION PLAY, DEPICTING THE BIRTH OF OUR LORD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; GERMANY ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BIRTH OF OUR LORD=CHRISTMAS. ; SOME CONTRADICTION HERE--PASSION PLAY=CRUCIFIXION.
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas Season See F645.2 for Advent Season. |
Date learned: 12-00-1967
ARBOR DAY TRADITION
EVERY YEAR, THE MC GREEVY FAMILY GOES OUT INTO THEIR
BACKYARD AND PLANTS A SEED FROM A CITRUS TREE. THEY
HAVE DONE THIS EVER SINCE HE CAN REMEMBER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Fixed DateFor specific dates, use the following system: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
PRANKS
EVERY YEAR, THE DORMIES USUALLY TAKE SOME SOAP SUDS
AND GO OUT TO THE SCHOOL FOUNTAIN LATE AT NIGHT.
WHEN NO ONE IS LOOKING, THEY DUMP THE SUDS IN.
BY MORNING, THE RESULT IS SUDS ALL OVER THE FOUNTAIN
AND IMMEDIATE AREA BECAUSE OF THE AGITATION CAUSED
BY THE FALLING WATER.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT SAW IT HAPPEN HIS FRESHMAN YEAR AT SCHOOL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; LIVONIA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 00001966 FALL
IN POLAND, WHEN A YOUNG CHILD HAS DIED, A CASKET IS MADE
OF WOOD AND PAINTED WHITE WITH PICTURES OF ANGELS
PASTED ON IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN ; POLAND ; DEARBORN MEDICAL CENTER
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 09-30-1968
CHINESE PROVERB
GIVE A MAN A FISH, YOU FEED HIM FOR A DAY,
TEACH A MAN TO FISH AND YOU WILL FEED HIM FOR LIFE.
Submitter comment:
TEACH MEN TO BE INDEPENDENT AND SELF-SUFFICIENT,
HELP OTHERS HELP THEMSELVES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FRANKLIN VILLAGE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 00001960S
MARCH 3 IS GIRLS DAY (FREE TO BE APPROACHED).
MAY 5 IS BOYS DAY (FREE TO BE APPROACHED).
Submitter comment: SIMILAR TO OUR MOTHERS' DAY AND FATHERS' DAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; JAPAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- March 3 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- May 5 |
Date learned: 11-27-1971
ANCIENT RIDDLE
WHAT DOES A V-SIGN WITH YOUR FINGERS MEAN IN A BAR?
A ROMAN ORDERING FIVE BEERS.
Submitter comment: HEARD THIS IN MY SCHOOL CAFETERIA WHEN I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FRANKLIN VILLAGE
| Subject headings: | Favorites SPEECH -- Gesture RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 04-00-1974
ONE HUNGARIAN BURIAL CUSTOM IS FOR EACH MEMBER OF THE
IMMEDIATE FAMILY OF THE DECEASED TO PLACE SOME SMALL
PERSONAL TRINKET IN THE CASKET.
Submitter comment:
DIANE'S RELATIVES ON HER MOTHER'S SIDE ARE HUNGARIAN
AND SHE HAS SEEN THIS CUSTOM OBSERVED SEVERAL TIMES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 00-00-1967
IF A MOUNTAIN CLIMBER HAS BEEN KILLED, THE ROCCTHAT
KILLED HIM IS PUT ON HIS GRAVE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 12-00-1967