Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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Ethnic: Ukraine
In the Ukranian village, a girl would wear her hair in long braids. On her wedding day, her mother would ceremoniously unbraid it; a week later, her husband cut it off [sic].
Data entry tech comment:
Based on another submission card that is by the same person, regarding something very similar, that the cutting of the hair symbolizes the loss of virginity, which may or may not be clear. See CFA # 43568 for cross reference.
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
BN F545 is written in black marker above original BN [P430, F545]
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Keyword(s): Consummation ; CUSTOM ; ETHNIC ; HAIR ; HUSBAND ; MARRIAGE ; Ukraine ; UKRAINIAN ; VIRGINITY ; WEDDING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage BELIEF -- Human Being |
Ethnic: Ukraine
In the Ukranian village a girl would wear her hair in long braids. However, if she became pregnant while still unmarried, her hair would be cut short, symbolizing her loss of virginity.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [P438, F545] crossed out. Replaced with current classification
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Keyword(s): Chastity ; ETHNIC ; HAIR ; MARRIAGE ; SYMBOL ; Ukraine ; UKRAINIAN ; VIRGINITY ; WEDDING ; Wedlock
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
STAR BELIEF
A FALLING STAR MEANS THAT SOMEONE IS SELLING HIS SOUL TO THE DEVIL.
IF YOU WISH TO SAVE HIS SOUL, MAKE THE SIGN OF THE CROSS.
Where learned: WARREN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Star BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications |
Date learned: 02-15-1970
STAR BELIEF
A FALLING STAR MEANS THAT SOMEONE IS SELLING HIS SOUL TO THE
THE DEVIL. IF YOU WISH TO SAVE THE SOUL, MAKE THE SIGN OF THE CROSS.
Where learned: WARREN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Star BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 02-15-1970
LUCK SUPERSTITION
IF YOU BORROW SALT, YOU SHOULD NEVER GIVE IT BACK.
Where learned: WARREN
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Flavoring BELIEF -- Mineral |
Date learned: 02-15-1970
FLOWER BELIEF
IF YOU RECEIVE FLOWERS FROM SOMEONE, DON'T THANK THEM.
OTHERWISE, THEY WON'T GROW. GOD SHOULD BE THANKED FOR
CREATING FLOWERS AND MAKING THEM GROW.
Where learned: WARREN
James Callow Keyword(s): PLANT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Creator BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 02-22-1970
A PREGNANT WOMAN SHOULD NOT ATTEND A FUNERAL, OR HER CHILD WILL
DIE.
Where learned: WARREN
| Subject headings: | Spirit / Mind / Body BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 01-22-1970
PREGNANCY BELIEF
IF A MOTHER CONTINUES TO NURSE HER CHILD, SHE WON'T BECOME PREGNANT.
Where learned: WARREN
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 02-02-1970
THE WAY OF TRUTH IS LIKE A GREAT ROAD --- IT IS NOT DIFFICULT
TO KNOW IT. THE EVIL IS ONLY THAT MEN WILL NOT SEEK IT.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: 03-07-1970
THE MONDAY AFTER EASTER IS CALLED "POLYVANIJ PONEDILOK" OR WATERING
MONDAY AMONG THE UKRAINIANS. IT IS CUSTOMARY FOR PEOPLE, USUALLY
THE YOUNG, TO SPILL WATER AT EACH OTHER. IF A YOUNG MAN SPILLS WATER
ON HIS GIRL FIRST, HE WILL BE HEAD OF THE FAMILY; IF SHE GETS HIM
FIRST, SHE WILL BE HEAD.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector are the same person.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Keyword(s): DYNGUS DAY ; WATER
| Subject headings: | 870 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 10-00-1970
PENTECOST SUNDAY
ON PENTECOST SUNDAY, "ZELENYJ SVIATA" (GREEN HOLIDAY), THE
UKRANIANS DECORATE THEIR HOUSES WITH GREEN TREE BRANCHES TO
SYMBOLIZE REBIRTH: OF NATURE (SPRING) AND SPIRITUAL THROUGH THE
HOLY GHOST.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector are the same person.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Keyword(s): FERTILITY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Pentecost |
Date learned: 10-00-1970
PENTECOST SUNDAY
ON PENTECOST SUNDAY THE UKRANIANS CELEBRATE SPECIAL SERVICES FOR
THE DEAD, CALLED "PARASTAS" AT EACH GRAVE, WHICH HAS BEEN
SPECIALLY DECORATED WITH FLOWERS AND WREATHS.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector are the same person.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Pentecost |
Date learned: 10-00-1970
JUMP ROPE RHYME
LADY BUG, LADY BUG, FLY AWAY DO.
FLY TO THE MOUNTAIN AND FEED UPON DEW.
AND SLEEP ON A RUG--A SOFT FEATHER RUG,
AND THEN RUN AWAY LIKE A GOOD LITTLE BUG.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN ; informant's home
Keyword(s): PLAIN-JUMP
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 03-07-1970
Custom
Ukrainians have a custom of greeting honored guests with bread and salt. The host or hostess, carrying a plate with a loaf of bread and a mound of salt on top of it, meets the guest at the door with proper salutations, in expression of greetings & hospitality. Newlyweds are installed in their new home with a ritual of bread and salt.
Submitter comment:
Today this custom is used only by organizations when greeting individuals of great distinction.
Data entry tech comment:
Motif added by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN ; MOTHER
Keyword(s): BREAD, Salt ; CUSTOM ; DOMESTIC RELATIONS ; ETHNIC ; MARRIAGE ; Salt, Bread ; Social Rank ; SOCIAL RELATIONS ; UKRAINIAN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Business Abbreviations
A few business abbreviations no found many places:
S.A.P. = As Soon As Possible
S/B = Should Be
Prox. = Approximately
W/E = Week Ending
EST = Estimate
P.A. = Purchasing Agent
G.M. = Genreal Manager
P.C. = Production Control
Q.C. = Quality Control
A&S = Administration & Sales
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs and BN added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Submission Card located in pile labeled To Be Classified
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN ; Cadillac Production Inc
Keyword(s): ABBREVIATION ; BUSINESS ; TRANSLATION
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Translations, plays on words, symbol writing PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
EDELWEISS
WHEN A COUPLE IN GERMANY BECOME ENGAGED THE BOY MUST CLIMB A
MOUNTAIN TO GET THE EDELWEISS FLOWER AND BRING IT TO HIS FIANCEE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Symbols of engagement |
Date learned: 01-00-1968
BRASS BUTTON BLUE COAT CAN'T CATCH A
NANNY GOAT.
Submitter comment:
THIS TERM WAS USED BY CHILDREN AT PLAY
IN PITTSBURG, PA. IN THE YEAR 1925.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Keyword(s): TAUNT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ill humor Ridicule Mockery |
RIDDLE
Q: WHAT SITS IN A CORNER IN NICE WEATHER AND GOES OUTSIDE IN RAINY
WEATHER?
A: AN UMBRELLA
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Keyword(s): ACTIONS (Q) ; HOUSEHOLD ITEMS (A) ; NATURAL PHENOMENON (Q)
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: 03-04-1970
FISHY, FISHY IN THE BROOK, PAPA CATCH HIM
WITH A HOOK, MOMMIE FRY HIM IN A PAN, BABY
EAT HIM LIKE A LITTLE MAN.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT HEARD THIS FROM HIS MOTHER WHEN HE WAS A CHILD.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share the same surname.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest |
Date learned: 09-27-1972
AUGUST FESTIVAL
A TRUNK WAS FOUND IN THE SEA BETWEEN TWO CITIES IN ITALY,
TRAPANI AND MARSALA. THE TWO CITIES DISAGREED TO WHOM THE TRUNK
WHICH CONTAINED A BEAUTIFUL STATUE OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN, BELONGED.
FINALLY THEY MEASURED THE DISTANCE AND TRAPANI WON. NOW THEY HAVE A
THREE DAY FESTIVAL IN AUGUST WHERE THEY DRESS THE STATUE ALL IN
GOLD. NO ONE SLEEPS FOR THESE THREE DAYS IF POSSIBLE. MIRACULOUS
FAVORS HAVE BEEN SAID TO OCCUR THROUGH THE INTERCESSION OF THE
BLESSED MOTHER IN THIS FORM. DEVOTED PEOPLE LEAVE JEWELRY WITH THE
STATUE AS OFFERINGS FOR FAVORS OR PROTECTION. THE THREE DAY
FESTIVAL COULD BE COMPARED TO A MARDI GRAS, FIRE WORKS, ETC. THE
STATUE IS CALLED "MADRE DE TRAPANI."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Autumn Fall Harvest Thanksgiving BELIEF -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Number |
Date learned: 12-00-1969