Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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It is a Polish custom to put a rosary in a bush outside the
night before a special day (wedding, etc) so that day will not be
rainy.
Submitter comment: On the occasions which we have done it, it has worked.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Before wedding BELIEF -- Weather sign or control BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew BELIEF -- Marriage Before wedding |
Date learned: 00001950'S
Easter Basket
One custom within the Polish community is to create Easter
baskets including colored eggs, bread, butter (shaped like a lamb),
kielbasa and other food products and take it to church to be
blessed on Holy Saturday (the Saturday before Easter).
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK
Dingus
Dingus is a custom among Polish people celebrated the Monday
after Easter. It is also called "Switching Day." Young men chase
young women with light switches and lightly hit them on the knees
in a mating ritual.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus |
Paprawine
Paprawine is celebrated among the Polish community the day
after a wedding. It is a celebration where friends and family eat
and drink again in honor of the married couple.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Day after wedding Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals |
Oplatek
Oplatek is celebrated on Christmas Eve and is simply a wafer
broken between friends. Friends and family sharing the oplatek
wish each other health and good wishes.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK
Wigilia
Wigilia is celebrated by Polish Americans on Christmas Eve. It
consists of a meatless meal; high in carbohydrates. The table
setting also plays a part of this tradition. There should always
be one empty chair at the table, with one extra setting for an
unexpected guest.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK
Ponczki
The tradition of ponczki (or jelly rolls) symbolizes giving up
sweets and the beginning of fasting for the Catholic "lent" period.
The fasting begins on Ash Wednesday, and is preceded by what is
known as "Fat Tuesday." Polish people indulge in sweet, jelly
donuts because it will be weeks before they are allowed to have
sweets. It is seen as a sacrifice and giving up something that one
really enjoys in honor of the Easter Holiday.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Pre Lent Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals |
Baby Belief
A baby born with a birthmark on the upper part of his/her body
will have success in life.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Body part Senses Specific distinguishing characteristic Dimple, wart, mole, scar, freckle, birthmark, strawberry mark, bruise, spot (on any part of body) |
Date learned: 03-00-1992
Baby Belief
A baby born with a large, wide mouth will be a good singer.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK
James Callow Keyword(s): Talent
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Body part Senses Mouth, teeth, lips, tongue BELIEF -- Measure of space: distance, height, depth |
Date learned: 03-00-1992
Baby Belief
A baby born with a dimple in the chin will be wealthy.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK
Date learned: 03-00-1992
Baby Belief
Babies born with "outtie" (a navel that sticks out) navels will
have good luck.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK
James Callow Keyword(s): outie -- variant spelling?
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 03-00-1992
Baby Belief
A bald-headed baby is destined to be a very smart student.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Body part Senses No hair, baldness BELIEF -- School BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 03-00-1992
Baby Belief
If a baby has large ears, he will be a loving person.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK
James Callow Keyword(s): PERSONALITY
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Body part Senses Ears, noise in ear BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Measure of space: distance, height, depth |
Date learned: 03-00-1992
Baby Belief
If a baby is born with open hands he/she will be generous.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK
James Callow Keyword(s): PERSONALITY
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 03-00-1992
Wedding Custom
At a Polish wedding at midnight, the traditional wedding dance
takes place. The bride dances with her father, then with her
husband, while all the people at the reception stand around them in
a circle and sing "The Twelve Angels." At the end of the dance the
maid of honor takes off her hairpiece and the bride takes off her
veil and places it on the head of the maid of honor. This
symbolizes going from a fair young maiden to a married woman.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Marriage CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 03-00-1992
POLISH CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL
DECEMBER 24 (CHRISTMAS EVE) IS CELEBRATED WITH A SPECIAL MEAL AND
A MEANINGFUL READING FROM SEVERAL DIFFERENT WORKS PERTAINING TO THE
SEASON OF CHRISTMAS.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve |
Date learned: 03-21-1971
Superstition
It is a old Polish belief that you should not have a cat around
a sleeping baby. It is believed that the cat will lie on the
baby's face, especially the mouth and nose, and the baby will
suffocate.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 03-00-1992
Toast
Sto Lat. This is a toast for special occasions, meaning "May
you live 100 years."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Prayer SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 03-00-1992
Polish Belief
Many Polish people used to (some still may) collect rain water
in barrels or pan and use it to wash their hair. They say this
made the hair more manageable and shiny.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hair, on head, mustache, widow's peak BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew |
Date learned: 03-00-1992
Polish Birthday Celebration
It was the custom in Poland, and in some families still exists,
that a birth day is not celebrated. The celebration is for the
feast day of the saint after whom the person was named. For
example, if a boy is named Joseph, he would celebrate St. Joseph's
feast day.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Private birthday or anniversary BELIEF -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 03-00-1992