Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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IN NEW ORLEANS CERTAIN HOUSES WERE CONSIDERED HAUNTED. THE
OCCUPANTS OF THE HOUSES SAID THE SPIRITS CAME OUT AT NIGHT. SOME
OF THE PEOPLE SWORE THEIR CHILDREN WOULD WAKE UP WITH MARKS ON
THEM THAT WERE NOT ON THEM THE DAY BEFORE. THE PEOPLE CLAIMED
THEY COULD FEEL THE PRESENCE OF SPIRITS IN THEIR HOMES. THEY
SAID TO GET RID OF THE GHOSTS, YOU HAD TO USE PROFANITY AND THE
GHOSTS WOULD LEAVE FOR AWHILE.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A TRUE STORY. THE PREVIOUS OWNERS OF THE HOUSE WERE A
MAN, HIS WIFE AND HIS BROTHER-IN-LAW. BOTH MEN DIED IN THE HOUSE
AND WERE SUPPOSED TO BE THE GHOSTS IN THE HOUSE. MY GRANDMOTHER
LIVED ACROSS THE STREET FROM THIS HAUNTED HOUSE. ONE DAY SHE SAW
ONE MAN COME OUT THE SIDE DOOR. AS HE WALKED TOWARD THE FRONT OF
THE HOUSE SHE NO LONGER SAW HIM BUT SAW A BLACK CAT INSTEAD. MY
GRANDMOTHER SWEARS THAT THIS REALLY HAPPENED.
SWEARING
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 01-00-1979
DON'T LET YOUR LEFT HAND KNOW WHAT YOUR RIGHT HAND IS DOING.
Submitter comment:
THIS STATEMENT MEANS DON'T TELL YOUR PRIVATE AFFAIRS TO PEOPLE
YOU THINK ARE CLOSE TO YOU. SOME THINGS ARE PERSONAL AND SHOULD
BE KEPT TO YOURSELF. MY GRANDMOTHER PREACHED THIS RELIGIOUSLY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 01-00-1979
IN NEW ORLEANS, THERE WAS AN UNWRITTEN RULE THAT IF YOU WENT OUT
ON A DATE AT NIGHT, YOU HAD TO BE BACK BY TWELVE O' CLOCK MIDNIGHT.
Submitter comment:
MY MOTHER'S COUSIN WENT OUT ONCE ON A DATE AND CAME BACK FROM HER
DATE AFTER 12:00 A.M.. HER FATHER WOULD NOT LET HER IN THE HOUSE.
HE TOLD HER DATE TO TAKE HER BACK WHERE HE HAD HER. LUCKILY, THE
BOY MARRIED THE GIRL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Common law BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour |
Date learned: 01-00-1979
THERE WAS A BELIEF IN NEW ORLEANS THAT YEARS AGO, JEAN LA FITTE,
A PIRATE, HAD CHESTS OF MONEY BURIED IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE CITY
AND ITS SURROUNDINGS. USUALLY PEOPLE GOT KNOWLEDGE THAT THE CHEST
WAS ON THEIR PROPERTY IN A DREAM. THESE PEOPLE WOULD THEN HIRE
DIGGERS TO COME AND SEARCH FOR THE TREASURE ON THEIR PROPERTY.
THESE DIGGERS WOULD DISCUSS THEIR CONVERSATIONS WITH THE GHOSTS
OF MEN WHO WERE KILLED AND THEIR BODIES BURIED WITH THE TREASURE
TO PROTECT IT. ON OCCASIONS, THEY WOULD TALK WITH THE GHOST AND
CALL THEM BY NAME. THEY SWORE THAT THE GHOSTS TALKED WITH THEM.
THE OBJECT OF THE DIGGERS WAS TO GET THE GHOST TO RELEASE THE
TREASURE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |
Date learned: 01-00-1979
TOM THUMB WEDDING
THE TOM THUMB WEDDING IS A CUSTOM IN NEW ORLEANS. A MINIATURE
WEDDING IS HELD WHERE ONLY CHILDREN ARE THE PARTICIPANTS. THE
LITTLE BOY WHO PORTRAYS THE GROOM DRESSES LIKE THE GROOM. A
LITTLE GIRL DRESSES LIKE THE BRIDE. WEDDING ATTENDANTS ARE
INCLUDED. THE WHOLE RITUAL OF GETTING MARRIED IS ACTED OUT.
Submitter comment:
THIS WEDDING IS HELD TO RAISE MONEY FOR VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS.
THE PARTICIPANTS IN THE WEDDING SELL TICKETS TO RAISE MONEY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | DRAMA -- Religious DRAMA -- Secular CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Date learned: 01-00-1979
MY GRANDMOTHER USED TO TELL THE STORY OF A YOUNG GIRL WHO WAS
INVITED TO A BALL ON A DRAWBRIDGE IN FRANCE. WHEN THE GIRL
AWAKENED THE MORNING OF THE DANCE, HER MOTHER TOLD HER OF A DREAM
SHE HAD THE NIGHT BEFORE THAT SOMETHING TERRIBLE WAS GOING TO
HAPPEN AT THE PARTY. IN SPITE OF HER MOTHER'S PLEAS, TO STAY
HOME, THE GIRL WENT TO THE DANCE. THAT NIGHT AT THE PARTY THE
BRIDGE HAPPENED TO OPEN AND ALL THE PEOPLE FELL INTO THE WATER AND
DROWNED.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A TRUE STORY.
DREAM AS OMEN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Dreams BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
THE WALLS HAVE EARS.
Submitter comment:
THE WALLS HAVE EARS WAS SAID BY MY GREAT GRANDMOTHER TO HER
CHILDREN WHENEVER THEY WERE LOUD. IT IMPLIED TO LOWER YOUR VOICE
SO THE NEIGHBORS WON'T HEAR YOU.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 02-00-1979 ; CA00001949
HEAP SEE, BUT FEW KNOW.
Submitter comment:
THIS MEANS A LOT OF PEOPLE SEE THINGS BUT THEY DON'T REALLY KNOW
OR UNDERSTAND WHY IT IS HAPPENING. ONLY A FEW PEOPLE KNOW. THIS
WAS SAID BY MY GRANDMOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 02-00-1979 ; CA00001949
"BRAIDING THE MAY POLE"
IN NEW ORLEANS IN THE MONTH OF MAY A LOCAL CUSTOM CALLED "BRAIDING
THE MAY POLE" TOOK PLACE. CHILDREN DRESSED IN DIFFERENT COSTUMES
HAD A ROUTINE IN WHICH THEY WALKED AROUND THE POLE ON TO WHICH
DIFFERENT COLORED RIBBONS WERE TIED WHILE MUSIC PLAYED. AT THE
END OF THE ROUTINE, THE RIBBON FORMED A BRAID AROUND THE POLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- May CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
THE CROWNING OF THE BLESSED MOTHER
ON A SUNDAY IN MAY THE CATHOLICS IN NEW ORLEANS HELD A PROCESSION
TO CELEBRATE THE CROWNING OF THE BLESSED MOTHER. MOSTLY CHILDREN
DRESSED IN WHITE AND PASTELS WALKED ABREAST AHEAD OF A LITTLE
GIRL WHO CARRIED A CROWN MADE OF ROSES. THEY WALKED FOR SEVERAL
BLOCKS IN THE AREA OF THE CHURCH WHILE SINGING CHURCH HYMNS.
THE PROCESSION ENDED AT THE CHURCH WHERE THE GIRL WHO CARRIED THE
CROWN PLACED IT ON THE HEAD OF THE STATUE OF THE BLESSED MOTHER.
INCLUDED IN THE PROCESSION WERE LITTLE GIRLS CARRYING BASKETS OF
ROSE PETALS. THEY WALKED IN THE CHURCH WHILE KISSING A SINGLE
PETAL AT A TIME AND THREW IT ON THE FLOOR. BENEDICTION FOLLOWED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- May CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Typical Elements of a Festive Pattern BELIEF -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
CABBAGE IS COOKED ON NEW YEAR'S DAY FOR GOOD LUCK. THE LEAVES
ON THE CABBAGE REPRESENT MONEY THAT PEOPLE BELIEVE WILL COME TO
THOSE EATING IT.
Submitter comment: SYMBOL
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
Date learned: 02-00-1979
IN LOUISIANA INSTEAD OF SERVING SOUP BEFORE A MEAL AS AN APPETIZER,
THE CREOLES SERVE GUMBO MADE OF OKRA, VEGETABLES, SEAFOOD AND
OTHER MEATS.
Submitter comment: THIS IS A MUST FOR SUNDAY DINNER IN NEW ORLEANS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
Date learned: 02-00-1979
ZULU PARADE IN NEW ORLEANS ON MARDI GRAS
IN THE ZULU PARADE, DARK-SKINNED BLACKS DRESS AS THE ZULU KING
AND HIS ATTENDANTS. KING ZULU IS SUPPOSED TO BE SOME KING WHO
LIVED IN AFRICA. THESE MASKERS RIDE ON A FLOAT DECORATED WITH
AFRICAN ORNAMENTS. SOME WEAR GRASS SKIRTS AND VERY COLORFUL
BEADS. WALKING ALONG THE FLOAT ARE MANY OTHERS IN AFRICAN
GARBS. THE FLOAT STOPS NOW AND THEN ALONG THE ROAD AND THE
MASKERS GIVE COCONUTS TO PEDESTRIANS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | 663 Mardi Gras CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Typical Elements of a Festive Pattern |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
SEVEN SISTERS IN A NEW ORLEANS SUBURB OF ALGIERS ARE SUPPOSED TO
HELP PEOPLE WITH THEIR LOVE AFFAIRS OR PUT CURSES ON PEOPLE.
PEOPLE, BELIEVING THAT THEY WILL BE HELPED, GO TO THEM WITH THEIR
PROBLEMS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | 686 Seven / Sevenths / Several BELIEF -- Witch Shaman |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
A WOMAN DOESN'T GO TO THE FUNERAL OF HER HUSBAND OR HER CHILD.
IT IS BAD LUCK TO DO SO.
Submitter comment:
MY GRANDMOTHER BELIEVES IN THIS AND DID NOT ATTEND HER HUSBAND,
SON OR DAUGHTER'S FUNERAL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
DON'T MARRY A BROTHER OR SISTER OF A DEAD MATE. IF YOU DO THE
CHILDREN WILL BE BORN DEFORMED IN SOME WAY.
Submitter comment:
MY GRANDMOTHER ALWAYS TOLD THIS TO HER CHILDREN AND WAS QUICK TO
POINT OUT EXAMPLES AMONG FRIENDS AND RELATIVES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Common law CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 02-17-1979 ; 00-00-1949
DON'T LOOK IN THE MIRROR AFTER TWELVE O' CLOCK AT NIGHT. IF
YOU DO A GHOST WILL APPEAR IN THE MIRROR.
Submitter comment: THIS IS A SAYING OF MY GRANDMOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour |
Date learned: 02-17-1979 ; 00-00-1949
A MARRIED WOMAN GOT PREGNANT BUT DIDN'T WANT THE CHILD. SHE
HATED THE FACT THAT SHE WAS PREGNANT AND HATED HER UNBORN CHILD.
WHEN THE CHILD WAS BORN IT JUMPED OUT OF THE HANDS OF THE DOCTOR.
IT WAS RED AND LOOKED LIKE A REAL LITTLE DEVIL.
Submitter comment:
THIS STORY WAS TOLD BY A JESUIT PRIEST, FATHER BOSCO, FROM A
SMALL TOWN IN LOUISIANA. FATHER BOSCO SAID THE MOTHER OF THE
CHILD WAS A MEMBER OF HIS PARISH AND THAT THIS REALLY HAPPENED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon PROSE NARRATIVE -- Abnormal in size |
Date learned: 02-17-1979 ; 00001940'S
DRYING HANDS
IF TWO PEOPLE DRY THEIR HANDS AT THE SAME TIME ON THE SAME
TOWEL THEY WILL HAVE A FIGHT SHORTLY.
Submitter comment:
HE LEARNED THIS FROM HIS PARENTS WHEN HE WAS A YOUNG CHILD
ABOUT 1910.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 05-12-1965
CRACKS IN THE SIDEWALK
IF YOU STEP ON A CRACK YOU WILL BREAK YOUR MOTHER'S BACK.
Submitter comment:
I LEARNED THIS FROM MY CHILDHOOD FRIENDS AND REMEMBER THE
PAINS I WOULD GO THROUGH NOT TO STEP ON A CRACK. IF I HAPPENED
TO STEP ON ONE, I COULDN'T WAIT TO GET HOME TO MAKE SURE THAT
MY MOTHER'S BACK WASN'T BROKEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 05-12-1965