Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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JEWISH BELIEF
JEWS CANNOT EAT PORK BECAUSE IT IS UNCLEAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
James Callow Keyword(s): SEMITISM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. BELIEF -- P439 |
Date learned: 02-28-1971
HOUSEHOLD SUPERSTITON
IN MEXICO, WHEN PASSING SALT TO SOMEONE AT THE TABLE, PUT IT
ON THE TABLE, IF YOU HAND IT TO THE ASKER, YOU WILL FIGHT
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Home BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Home BELIEF -- P86O SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 02-04-1968
SPIRITS,
THIS IS AN INDIAN BELIEF, GOOD SPIRITS WANDER AROUND
ETERNALLY SOMETIMES, DOING GOOD WORKS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | Spirit / Mind / Body BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color |
Date learned: 02-04-1968
SPIRIT TABLE
AN INDIAN BELIEF- WE HAVE A TABLE THAT ATTRACTS DEAD SOULS, THERE ARE
MARKINGS ON IT WHICH SPIRITS USE TO COMMUNICATE WITH A MEDIUM.
HANDS ARE PLACED ON THE TABLE. A MEDIUM ISN'T NECESSARY, BUT
INFORMANT WAS AFRAID HIMSELF. SPIRITS ARE LIKE THE 5 ELEMENTS, FIRE
EARTH WATER WIND AND LIGHT-- LIKE VARIOUS GASES ALL WANDERING
AROUND ETERNALLY, LIKE THE ELEMENTS, IT IS POSSIBLE TO BRING
SOULS TO CAPTURE SOULS.
Submitter comment: SKETCH ON CARD IN ARCHIVE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
James Callow Keyword(s): NUMBEES
| Subject headings: | 686 Fifths BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Custom BELIEF -- Word Letter BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure BELIEF -- Use of Object SPEECH -- Extra Corporal Means of Communication |
Date learned: 02-04-1968
MAGIC
IN MEXICO IT IS POSSIBLE TO TALK WITH THE DEAD IF YOU USE A
OUIJA TABLE. IT IS EASIER FOR SOME PEOPLE TO DO THIS THAN OTHERS.
YOU PLACE YOUR HANDS ON THE TABLE AND THE SPIRITS OF THE DEAD WILL
COMMUNICATE WITH YOU, AND VERY OFTEN ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS.
THEY ALSO MAY TELL OF FUTURE EVENTS. THEY DO THIS BY MOVING
YOUR HANDS ON THE TABLE IN SUCH A WAY THAT THE ANSWER OR INFORMATION
IS SPELLED OUT FOR YOU. PEOPLE WHO ARE LONELY USE THESE TABLES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
James Callow Keyword(s): NUMBER
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Custom BELIEF -- Word Letter SPEECH -- Extra Corporal Means of Communication |
Date learned: 02-04-1968
SPIRITS
ALL SOULS WANDER IN INDIA AFTER DEATH, INCLUDING ANIMAL SOULS.
THEY WANDER IF THEY HAD AN UNHAPPY LIFE, OR IF THEY WERE UNSATISFIED
BEFORE THEY DIED. THEY KEEP SEARCHING FOR PEACE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | Spirit / Mind / Body BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color |
Date learned: 02-04-1968
SPIRIT MEDIUMS
THIS IS A BELIEF IN INDIA, THERE ARE FAIR, AND EVIL MEDIUMS. A
MEDIUM CAN INVADE THE BODY OF A MAN NOT YET REALLY DEAD, AND
PULL THE SPIRIT RIGHT OUT, AND THEN THE MEDIUM CONTROLS IT.
I HAVE SEEN THE CASKETS BREAK OPEN UNEXPLAINABLY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
James Callow Keyword(s): BELIEF
| Subject headings: | Spirit / Mind / Body BELIEF -- Witch Shaman |
Date learned: 02-04-1968
TO CAUSE ILLNESS IN WITCHES
TO MAKE A WITCH SICK YOU NEED TO DO THESE THINGS:
GET THREE NAILS FROM A COFFIN AND STICK THEM INTO A SAUCE
OF BUTTER AND WINTERGREEN
SAY THE WITCHES NAME AS YOU PLACE
THE SAUCE IN A HIDDEN SPOT WHERE NEITHER SUNLIGHT NOR MOONLIGHT
WILL PENETRATE. YOUR WITCH WILL BE SICK FOR SIX MONTHS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMAL PRODUCT ; PLANT NERB
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Animal product Butter BELIEF -- Witch Shaman |
Date learned: 10-00-1969
DOORKNOB
IF YOU HANG ANYTHING ON DOOR KNOBS BAD LUCK WILL COME TO THE PERSON
INSIDE THE ROOM.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT'S ROOMMATES TOLD HIM THIS WHEN HE WENT TO HANG SOMETHING
ON A DOORKNOB. THEY BELIEVE IT TO BE BAD LUCK AT UNIVERSITY OF
MICHIGAN IN 1970'S.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 03-18-1971
CHILDREN'S SONG
COO, PIGEON, COO PIGEON
COME FLY FROM YONDER TEMPLE ROOF.
I'LL FEED YOU BEANS, SO EAT UP ALL.
WHEN YOU'VE FINISHED, DON'T FLY AWAY.
SING COO, COO AND PLAY AWHILE.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LEARNED THIS JAPANESE CHILDREN'S SONG WHILE GROWING
UP IN JAPAN AND TODAY, IN AMERICA, SINGS THEM TO HIS SMALL GRAND-
CHILDREN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
Keyword(s): APOSTROPHE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children SPEECH -- Onomatopoeia |
SONG
THE DAY IS SETTING WITH THE SUNSET
THE BELL OF THE MOUNTAIN TEMPLE IS RINGING.
HAND IN HAND WE GO HOME -
GO HOME WITH THE CROWS.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LEARNED THIS TRADITIONAL JAPANESE CHILDREN'S SONG WHILE
GROWING UP IN JAPAN, AND TODAY, IN AMERICA, SINGS IT TO HIS SMALL
AMERICAN-BORN GRANDCHILDREN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children |
Date learned: 07-05-1964
SONG
SUNSHINE MAN, SUNSHINE MAN}
PLEASE MAKE IT A FINE DAY TOMORROW.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LEARNED THIS CHILDREN'S SONG
WHILE GROWING UP IN JAPAN,
AND TODAY, IN AMERICA, SINGS IT TO HIS
SMALL AMERICAN-BORN GRANDCHILDREN.
WHENEVER CHILDREN ARE GOING ON EXCURSIONS, ETC.
IN JAPAN, THEY MAKE A PAPER DOLL OF "TERUTERU BOZU" (SUNSHINE MAN),
HANG IT ON THE BRANCHES OF ANY TREE,
AND CHANT THE ABOVE SONG.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Cradle song Lullaby |
Date learned: 07-05-1964
SONG
ROCK, SWORD, PAPER.
AIKO DE SHO.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LEARNED THIS REFRAIN
WHILE GROWING UP IN JAPAN
AND TEACHES HIS AMERICAN-BORN GRANDCHILDREN THIS SONGGAME.
USING ONE HAND ONLY,
A GROUP OF CHILDREN SING THE ABOVE SONG,
AND AT A GIVEN TIME,
AND ALL AT ONCE,
FORM WITH THEIR HAND
A "ROCK," "SWORD," (SHAPE OF A "V"), OR "PAPER" (PALM HELD FLAT).
ONE BY ONE THE PLAYERS ARE ELIMINATED ACCORDING TO THE FORMULA:
"ROCK" CRUSHES "SWORD"; "PAPER" ENFOLDS "SWORD";
"SWORD" CUTS "PAPER".
Data entry tech comment: WOULDN'T PAPER ENFOLD ROCK? COLLECTOR SAYS SWORD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Athletic sport and exercise Gymnastics |
Date learned: 07-05-1964
SONG
SLEEP, BABY, SLEEP.
WHERE HAS YOUR NURSE GONE?
OVER THE MOUNTAINS AND VALLEYS
TO YOUR GRANDMOTHER'S HOME.
SOON SHE WILL BRING YOU
FISH AND RED RICE.
SLEEP, BABY SLEEP
SLEEP, BABY SLEEP.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT'S MOTHER SANG THIS JAPANESE LULLABY
TO HER CHILDREN IN JAPAN,
AND INFORMANT, LIKEWISE, SINGS THE SAME TO HIS
AMERICAN-BORN GRANDCHILDREN IN AMERICA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Cradle song Lullaby |
Date learned: 07-05-1964
KNOCK KNOCK JOKE
KNOCK KNOCK
WHO'S THERE?
WAA
WAAHOO
Submitter comment:
IN ALL KNOCK KNOCK JOKES THE SAME FORMAT IS USED.
HOWEVER IN THIS PARTICULAR ONE THE FORMAT IS CUT SHORT.
BEFORE THE JOKE IS BEING TOLD THE PERSON
WHO INTENDS TO ACT AS RESPONDER IS ASKED TO WAVE HIS ARM IN
A CIRCLE ABOVE HIS HEAD. IT USUALLY TAKES A FEW MOMENTS
FOR THE RESPONDER TO REALIZE THE JOKE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Gesture RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 00-00-1967
JAPANESE CHARM
WE GET CARDS FROM A SHRINE THAT ARE GOOD
FOR TRAFFIC IN A CAR. THEY PREVENT ACCIDENTS.
HERE IS MINE. THEY ARE WRAPPED IN RED CLOTH
BECAUSE RED IS THE COLOR FOR HAPPINESS AND
GOOD OMEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration BELIEF -- Color |
Date learned: 02-04-1968
SUPERSTITION ON CAMPUS
IF YOU WALK ON THE BIG "M" IN THE MIDDLE
OF THE DIAGONAL BEFORE YOU TAKE YOUR FIRST
BLUEBOOK TEST YOU WILL FAIL IT.
Submitter comment: TRADITIONAL SAYING ON THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN'S CAMPUS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Curse |
Date learned: 11-20-1967
FOOD CUSTOM
"MATE" IS A DRINK MUCH LIKE YOUR COLD TEA. WE DRINK IT IN
ARGENTINA. IT IS A DRINK ORIGINALLY PECULIAR TO US -- THOUGH
PERHAPS NOT NOW CONFINED TO OUR COUNTRY. IT IS A CITY DRINK, NOT
USED IN THE RURAL AREAS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Drink |
Date learned: 02-04-1968
UNLUCKY DAY
IN MEXICO, IF THE 13TH HAPPENS TO FALL ON A THURSDAY, CARE IS
NEEDED. NEVER MARRY OR START A TRIP ON SUCH A DAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | 686 Specific number by specific number being described |
Date learned: 02-04-1968
TO BECOME A WEREWOLF
IRON COOKING POT INTO WHICH MUST BE DUMPED WATER, PARSLEY, OPIUM,
AND SAFFRON. YOU DON'T EAT IT----IT
IS TO ATTACK THE DEVIL. RUB YOUR
BODY WITH FAT OF A FRESHLY KILLED CAT AND PUT ON A WOLF'S SKIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Werewolf Vampire |
Date learned: 10-00-1969