Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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Spinach Belief
SPINACH GIVES YOU MUSCLES.
Submitter comment:
Purpose of consumption.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; informant's home ; 4308 Tyler
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Plant food Vegetable Food Drink -- Special Form and PurposeObject of Bodily Consumption BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 03-05-1970
SASSAFRAS BELIEF
SASSAFRAS IS FOR ENERGY.
Submitter comment:
Purpose of consumption.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; informant's home
James Callow Keyword(s): PLANT HERB?
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Special Form and PurposeObject of Bodily Consumption BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 02-26-1970
IN GERMANY, THEY HOLD A CARNIVAL TO CELEBRATE NEW YEAR'S
CALLED FASCHING. IT LASTS ONE MONTH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's |
Date learned: 12-00-1967
EVERY CHRISTMAS, THE FAMILY GOES TO MIDNIGHT MASS, AS THEY
HAVE FOR TWO GENERATIONS. THEN THEY GO TO THEIR UNCLE'S
HOUSE AND HAVE A TURKEY DINNER THAT IS PREPARED WITH A
HOMEMADE STUFFING.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM HIS PARENTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Church |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
MANY POLISH FAMILIES EAT FLAT UNLEAVENED BREAD ON
CHRISTMAS. THE BREAD IS IMPRESSED WITH HOLY PICTURES.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM HIS MOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Oplatki |
Date learned: 11-02-1967
OPLATEK IS A CUSTOM WHERE THE FAMILY BREAKS BREAD AT
CHRISTMAS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Oplatki |
Date learned: 11-12-1967
POLISH CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
ON CHRISTMAS EVE, IT WAS A CUSTOM IN OUR FAMILY TO GATHER
AT THE HOME OF OUR GRANDPARENTS FOR A MEAL AND CELEBRATION.
AT MIDNIGHT EVERYONE TOOK A PIECE OF WHITE WAFER,
CALLED OPLATKI, AND WENT AROUND TO ALL THE OTHERS,
WISHING THEM A MERRY CHRISTMAS. THE RECIPIENT OF THESE
GREETINGS WOULD BREAK OFF A BIT OF THE OTHER PERSON'S
WAFER AND THEN OFFER HIM HIS OWN, RETURNING THE GOOD
WISHES.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT SAYS THE CUSTOMS STOPPED ABOUT EIGHT YEARS
AGO WHEN THE GRANDFATHER DIED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; VARSITY NEWS OFFICE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Oplatki |
Date learned: 04-11-1967
HIS FAMILY SPENDS CHRISTMAS EVE ON THE SCOTCH SIDE,
AND CHRISTMAS DAY ON THE POLISH SIDE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Date learned: 11-00-1967
IF YOU LOOK INTO A MIRROR AND TURN OFF THE LIGHTS AND SAY
BLOODY MARY 3 TIMES OVER AND THEN TURN THE LIGHTS BACK ON,
YOU WOULD BE BLEEDING FROM SOMEWHERE ON YOUR FACE.
Submitter comment: THIS ACT WAS USED AS A DARE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; WINSHIP ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration Favorites BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 00001970S
POLISH SUPERSTITION
IT IS A POLISH SUPERSTITION THAT THERE SHOULD BE AN ODD
NUMBER OF COURSES AT A CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER. THIS IS
A FAMILY TRADITION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Menus BELIEF -- Number |
Date learned: 04-11-1967
FOOD FOR SANTA AND RUDOLPH (REINDEER)
A CHRISTMAS CUSTOM IS FOR LITTLE CHILDREN TO PUT A SNACK
FOR SANTA CLAUS AND RUDOLPH OUT ON CHRISTMAS EVE.
Submitter comment: THIS IS A CUSTOM IN HER FAMILY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Santa Claus Food Drink -- Food |
Date learned: 03-29-1967
ON CHRISTMAS EVE IN GERMANY ST. NICHOLAS GOES FROM
DOOR TO DOOR WITH THE DEVIL WHO CARRIES A BAG OF
SWITCHES. CHILDREN GET EITHER AWARDS FROM ST. NICHOLAS
OR A SWITCHING FROM THE DEVIL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Santa Claus |
Date learned: 12-00-1967
VIGALIA
A POLISH CELEBRATION FOR CHRISTMAS EVE IS CALLED
VIGALIA. THERE ARE AN ODD NUMBER OF COURSES AT THE
DINNER. STRICT POLISH PEOPLE HAVE STRAW ON THE
TABLE AND ONE VACANT PLACE FOR THE CHRIST CHILD.
THERE IS ALSO A CUSTOM WHERE A WAFER IS PASSED FROM
PERSON TO PERSON, AND EACH ONE TAKES A PIECE.
THIS IS A POLISH CUSTOM AND A FAMILY TRADITION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Oplatki CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Straw BELIEF -- Number |
Date learned: 04-11-1967
POLISH CUSTOM
THE FIRST TIME YOU WASH IN THE NEW YEAR, YOU WASH WITH
A PIECE OF GOLD, FOR PROSPERITY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
THE POLISH HAVE THEIR HOUSES BLESSED BY THE PRIEST ON NEW
YEAR'S DAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's |
Date learned: 11-14-1968
ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE YEAR, A MAN SHOULD ENTER
THE HOUSE FIRST TO BRING THE HOUSE GOOD LUCK.
ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE NEW YEAR, IF A WOMAN IS THE
FIRST PERSON TO ENTER THE HOUSE, IT'S A SIGN OF BAD
LUCK.
Submitter comment:
THIS SAYING WAS BELIEVED BY DARLENE'S PARENTS,
WHO IN TURN, RELATED IT TO HER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's BELIEF -- Good luck BELIEF -- Bad luck BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 02-20-1971
IT IS AN AMERICAN CUSTOM TO STAND ON TIMES SQUARE (NEW YORK
CITY) ON NEW YEAR'S EVE WATCHING THE BALL DROP WHICH
SIGNIFIES THE ENTRANCE OF THE NEW YEAR.
Submitter comment: LEARNED THIS FROM EXPERIENCE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve BELIEF -- Use of Object BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 09-00-1967
AT MIDNIGHT ON NEW YEAR'S EVE, ONE GOES OUTSIDE TO GREET
THE NEW YEAR, AND THEN THE MAN MUST PROCEED INSIDE FIRST
FOR GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve BELIEF -- Use of Object BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 10-00-1967
WHATEVER YOU DO ON NEW YEAR'S DAY IS TYPICAL OF WHAT THE
NEW YEAR WILL BE LIKE FOR YOU. THIS PERSON DID NOT
BELIEVE IN THIS PRACTICE, BUT SAID THAT HIS MOTHER DID
AND CITED THE TIMES WHEN SHE REQUIRED ALL OF THE FAMILY
TO ATTEND MASS TOGETHER--HE SAID THEY "HUMORED HER."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's |
Date learned: 01-20-1968
EAT SALTY FISH ON NEW YEAR'S EVE FOR GOOD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
SYLVIA COLLECTED THIS FROM HER SISTER, WHO IN TURN, LEARNED
IT AT THE NURSES' LOUNGE AT BEAUMONT HOSPITAL, DETROIT (ROYAL
OAK), MICHIGAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; ROYAL OAK ; DETROIT ; NURSES LOUNGE ; BEAUMONT HOSPITAL
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 09-23-1967