Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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GOOD LUCK
IF A SPIDER OR TOAD CROSSES THE
BRIDES PATH SHE IS SURE TO HAVE A HAPPY MARRIAGE.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO
| Subject headings: | Observation |
IT WAS TRADITIONAL THAT EACH INDIAN BRAVE MAKE A FAST OF SEVEN DAYS
AND NIGHTS UPON REACHING MANHOOD. ONE YOUNG MAN, CALLED WUNZH
CAME FROM A PARTICULARLY POOR VILLAGE. BEFORE MAKING HIS FAST,
WUNZH PRAYED TO THE "GREAT SPIRIT" FOR HELP.
THE FIRST NIGHT AS WUNZH SLEPT, HE DREAMT HE WAS TALKING TO THE
GREAT SPIRIT. HE ASKED THE GREAT SPIRIT TO SEND FOOD FOR HIS VILLAGE
WHEN HE AWOKE, HE WAS VERY HUNGRY SO HE WENT FOR A WALK THROUGH THE
WOODS, ONCE MORE PLEADING TO THE GREAT SPIRIT.
THE SECOND NIGHT WUNZH DREAMED THAT A YOUNG MAN DRESSED IN GREEN
AND YELLOW VISITED HIM. THE YOUNG MAN TOLD HIM HE WAS SENT FROM
THE GREAT SPIRIT TO SHOW WUNZH HOW TO HELP HIS PEOPLE. FIRST, THOUGH
,WUNZH MUST BATTLE WITH THE YOUNG MAN. WUNZH FOUGHT UNTIL HE WAS
EXHAUSTED AND THE YOUNG MAN LEFT. FOR TWO NIGHTSTHE YOUNG MAN
VISITED HIM AND THEY FOUGHT. ON THE THIRD DAY THE YOUNG MAN TOLD
WUNZH THAT THIS WAS THE LAST DAY HE WOULD COME. IF WUNZH COULD THROW
HIM, THE GREAT SPIRIT WOULD TELL HIM HOW TO HELP HIS PEOPLE.
WUNZH THREW HIM AFTER MUCH FIGHTING. THE YOUNG MAN INSTRUCTED HIM
NOT TO EAT THE FOOD HIS FATHER WOULD BRING ON THE SEVENTH DAY OF
HIS FAST. HE ALSO INSTRUCTED WUNZH TO KILL HIM AND PUT HIM INTO
THE GROUND.
"YOU MUST REMEMBER WHERE YOU PUT ME AND WATER ME EVERY TIME THE NEW
MOON COMES UP. THEN I WILL COME ALIVE."
WUNZH DID AS HE WAS INSTRUCTED. HE FAITHFULLY WATERED HIS FRIEND
AND SAW A GREEN PLANT SPRING UP. THE PLANT TOLD HIM NOT TO TELL
ANYONE ABOUT IT UNTIL THE YELLOW CAME
ONE DAY THE YELLOW CAME. WUNZH CALLED IT "MON-DAW-MIN" AND LED HIS
PEOPLE TO IT. MONDAWIN IS INDIAN CORN AND THIS TELLS OF ITS ORIGIN.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO
James Callow Keyword(s): WRESTLING
| Subject headings: | 686 Seven / Sevenths / Several PROSE NARRATIVE -- Creation and Order of Plant Life |
Date learned: 00-00-1970
PROVERB
AN IDLE MIND IS THE DEVIL'S WORKSHOP.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO
Keyword(s): METAPHOR
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: EARLY CHILDHOOD
WEATHER PROVERB
IF THE SUN SET IS RED,
THEN ALOT DAY WILL FOLLOW
ON THE MORN
Submitter comment: NONE
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO
Keyword(s): WEATHER
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Weather Proverb |
Date learned: 09-24-1969
CURE FOR COUGH
GOOSE GREASE ON NECK WITH A FLANNEL CLOTH WRAPPED AROUND THE THROAT
WAS USED TO CURE COUGHS.
Submitter comment:
MY GRANDMOTHER REASSURED ME WITHOUT ANY DOUBT THAT THIS REMEDY FROM
POLAND WORKED WELL.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Remedy BELIEF -- Animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1930
CURE FOR NERVES
BUDS OF CLOVER PLANTS SUCH AS MINT LEAVES WERE BOILED AS TEA TO CALM
NERVES.
Submitter comment:
I TRIED SOME OF THIS TEA AT MY GRANDMOTHER'S HOUSE, AND IT WAS TASTY
AND RELAXING.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Remedy BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 00-00-1920
CURE FOR COUGH
BAD COUGH EASED BY TAKING LEAVES FROM LINDEN TREE AND BOILING THEM
WITH SOME HONEY AND ROCK SUGAR AND DRINKING JUST BEFORE BED.
Submitter comment:
THIS CURE FOR COUGHS WAS OBTAINED IN CHICAGO FROM FRIENDS OF MY
GRANDMOTHER. SHE NOW, THOUGH, JUST TAKES HONEY WITH SOME LEMON JUICE
TO SOOTHE COUGHS.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Remedy BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 00-00-1930
FESTIVAL AFTER EASTER
ON DYNGUS DAY, WHICH WAS THE FOLLOWING DAY AFTER EASTER SUNDAY,
BOYS WOULD SURPRISE GIRLS BY WHIPPING THEM ON THE LEGS WITH THIN
BRANCHES. THIS WAS DONE TO REPRESENT THE SCOURGING JESUS ENDURED.
Submitter comment:
MY MOTHER TOLD ME THAT SHE ALWAYS HID ON DYNGUS DAY, BUT HER COUSINS
ALWAYS MANAGED TO FIND HER AND WHIP HER.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus |
Date learned: 00-00-1930
DYNGUS DAY
THE MONDAY AFTER EASTER BOYS SPRINKLED CHEAP PERFUME ON THE GIRLS
WHICH REPRESENTED THE SPITTLE JESUS RECEIVED FROM THE ROMANS.
Submitter comment:
THIS VERSION OF DYNGUS DAY WAS PARTICULARLY FRUSTRATING, ESPECIALLY
SINCE GIRLS TRIED TO KEEP THEIR HAIR NICE.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus |
Date learned: 00-00-1930
DAY AFTER DYNGUS DAY
ON TUESDAY, THE GIRLS ARE GIVEN THE CHANCE TO DO SOME WHIPPING
WHENEVER THEY SEE BOYS.
Submitter comment:
SOME GIRLS IN MY MOTHER'S NEIGHBORHOOD OF CHESTNUT ST. AND MILWAUKEE
AVE. DID WHIP SOME BOYS, BUT SHE NEVER DID.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Tuesday Revenge Day |
Date learned: 00-00-1930
NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY
POLISH PEOPLE LOVE TO DRESS AND MORE ESPECIALLY SO IN THEIR PARTIES.
IT IS CUSTOMARY TO BRING FLOWERS OR A BOX OF CANDY TO THE HOSTESS.
WHEN THE PARTY HAPPENS TO BE A FIRST VISIT, IT IS A MUST. IT IS
NICE TO BRING A BOTTLE OF CHAMPAGNE OR SOME OTHER WINE ON NEW YEAR'S
EVE. FOR A SMALL GROUP OF SIX TO EIGHT PEOPLE, A LATE DINNER IS
PLANNED. AFTER THE DESSERT AND THE COFFEE, SWEET CHAMPAGNE IS
SERVED AROUND MIDNIGHT.
Submitter comment:
MY AUNT THINKS THAT PARTIES WHETHER BIG OR SMALL ARE A LOT OF FUN
WHEN POLISH PEOPLE CELEBRATE THEM.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve Food Drink -- Food Food Drink -- Pastry Sweet Dessert Food Drink -- Drink Food Drink -- Alcoholic beverage Fermented |
Date learned: 00-00-1940
CURE FOR BOILS
COW MANURE PUT ON CHEESE CLOTH AND WRAPPED AROUND AN OPEN WOUND OR
BOIL WAS USED FOR HEALING.
Submitter comment:
THE BAD THING MY GRANDMOTHER FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS REMEDY FROM
CHICAGO WAS THAT ITS USE LED TO ISOLATION FOR AWHILE.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Remedy BELIEF -- Animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1920
SUPERSTITION
IF ONE OF MY BROTHERS FOOLED AROUND AT THE KITCHEN TABLE, MY FATHER
WOULD SAY THAT HE WOULD MARRY A CRAZY WIFE.
Submitter comment:
MY GRANDFATHER ALWAYS PREFERRED PEACE AND QUIET, AND THIS BELIEF
WAS PROBABLY USED TO ASSURE SILENCE.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 00-00-1930
FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY
ON THIS DAY THE PRIEST AND THE ORGANIST VISIT THE HOMES, BLESS THEM
AND WRITE OVER THE DOORS THE INITIALS OF THE THREE WISE MEN IN THE
BELIEF THAT THIS WILL SPARE THEM MISFORTUNE.
Submitter comment:
THIS CUSTOM SEEMED TO DISAPPEAR AROUND THE 1940'S WHEN THE NEIGHBOR-
HOOD IN CHICAGO CHANGED WITH CRIME.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 6 Feast of St. Nicholas CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: 00-00-1930
CANDLEMAS DAY
ON THIS DAY WHEN CHRISTMAS SEASON CLOSES, THE PEOPLE CARRY CANDLES
TO CHURCH. THE CANDLES ARE BLESSED FOR USE IN THEIR HOMES DURING
STORMS, SICKNESS, AND DEATH.
Submitter comment:
AFTER MY MOTHER WAS MARRIED IN 1939, THIS TRADITION ENDURED FOR ONLY
AWHILE BECAUSE PEOPLE MOVED AWAY.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- February 6 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church BELIEF -- Weather sign or control BELIEF -- Church BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 00-00-1940
CHRISTMAS DAYS (SEASON)
THIS IS THE MOST BELOVED AND BEAUTIFUL OF ALL OUR TRADITIONS.
RELATIVES USED TO CALL IT GODY IN POLISH WHICH MEANS CHRISTMAS DAYS.
IT IS A TIME OF GOOD WILL, LOVE, HARMONY, FORGIVENESS, AND PEACE.
Submitter comment:
GODY WAS ONE OF THE BEST TIMES THAT FRIENDS AND FAMILY GOT TOGETHER
TO CELEBRATE CHRIST'S BIRTH.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 |
Date learned: 00-00-1930
CHRISTMAS EVE SUPERSTITION
CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER WAS A SEVEN, NINE, OR ELEVEN COURSE MEAL. IN
NO CASE MUST THERE BE AN ODD NUMBER OF PEOPLE AT THE TABLE. OTHER-
WISE, SOME OF THE FEASTERS WOULD NOT LIVE TO SEE ANOTHER CHRISTMAS.
Submitter comment:
MY GRANDMOTHER WASN'T A VERY FOND BELIEVER OF SUPERSTITIONS, BUT
SHE SAW TO IT THAT AN EVEN NUMBER OF GUESTS WERE PRESENT.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO
Date learned: 00-00-1940
SUPERSTITION
DROP A KNIFE WHILE EATING AND A MAN WILL BE VISITING. DROP A SPOON
AND A LADY WILL COME.
Submitter comment:
DROPPING SILVERWARE IN OUR FAMILY WASN'T FOLLOWED BY GUESTS.
AT THE DOOR. BUT AT TIMES THERE WAS A COINCIDENCE.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 00-00-1940
SUPERSTITION
DON'T PUT SHOES ON TABLE BECAUSE IT WILL LEAD TO FAMILY ARGUMENTS.
Submitter comment:
SHOES PLACED ON THE KITCHEN TABLE UNDOUBTEDLY CAUSED ARGUMENTS BE-
CAUSE THAT WAS NO PLACE FOR THEM. BESIDES A SPANKING USUALLY
FOLLOWED THAT ACTION.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 00-00-1940
CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER
THE HEAD OF THE FAMILY BEGINS THE DINNER BY FIRST DIVIDING ALTAR
BREAD CALLED OPLATEK AND GIVES EACH MEMBER A PIECE AS A COMMUNION
CELEBRATION OF GOOD HEALTH AND PEACE AMONG EACH OTHER. THE MEAL
CONSISTS OF CLEAR MUSHROOM SOUP OR BEET SOUP, BOILED CARP WITH EGG
SAUCE, STEWED CABBAGE WITH MUSHROOMS, DRIED PRUNES, POPPY SEED ROLL,
APPLE STRUDEL, AND DRIED FRUIT.
Submitter comment:
CHRISTMAS EVE IS A TIME WHEN FAMILIES ARE TOGETHER TO SHARE THEIR
HAPPINESS. THE BREAKING OF WAFER IS A SIGN OF PEACE AND GOOD
HEALTH TO EVERYONE.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals |
Date learned: 00-00-1940