Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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POLISH CUSTOM
ON NEW YEAR'S EVE, POLISH PEOPLE EAT HERRING BECAUSE THIS
MEANS GOOD LUCK FOR THE WHOLE NEW YEAR.
Submitter comment:
CHRIS AND HERR FAMILY HAVE HERING ON NEW YEAR'S FOR GOOD
LUCK EVEN TODAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| 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: 02-24-1970
AT THE STROKE OF MIDNIGHT ON NEW YEAR'S EVE GO OUTSIDE AND
THROW HERRING OVER YOUR SHOULDER AND YOU WILL HAVE GOOD
LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| 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: 10-20-1970
GERMAN CUSTOM
ON THE NIGHT OF DECEMBER 5, THE GERMAN CHILDREN PUT
A SHOE IN THE WINDOW OF THEIR HOUSE. THE CHILDREN
BELIEVE THAT ST. NICHOLAS PUTS COOKIES, NUTS, ETC.
IN THE SHOE.
Submitter comment: SHE LEARNED IT BECAUSE SHE LIVED IN GERMANY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; GERMANY ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F120 |
Date learned: 02-07-1967
AT SIENA HEIGHTS COLLEGE, IN ADRIAN, MICHIGAN, THE STUDENTS
WOULD PUT THEIR SHOES OUTSIDE THE DOOR OF THEIR ROOM
ON DECEMBER 6, AND THE NEXT MORNING THERE WOULD BE AN
APPLE AND SOME CANDY IN THEIR SHOES.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; ADRIAN
Keyword(s): Apples ; CANDY ; Celebrate ; CUSTOM ; FOOD ; holiday ; Nick ; Saint ; SHOES ; ST. NICHOLAS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 6 Feast of St. Nicholas |
Date learned: 10-22-1968
CHRISTMAS IS CELEBRATED IN PUERTO RICO ON JANUARY 6.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; PUERTO RICO
Keyword(s): BALTHAZAR ; KASPAR ; MELCHIOR
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany |
Date learned: 10-20-1971
POLISH FEAST OF THE THREE KINGS
ON JANUARY 6, THE FEAST OF THE THREE KINGS, PRIESTS
VISIT THE HOMES OF POLISH CATHOLICS BEARING CHALK,
MYRRH, AND INCENSE. THEY BLESS THE HOUSE AND WRITE
THE NAMES OF THE THREE KINGS OVER THE DOORWAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BALTHAZAR ; KASPAR ; MELCHIOR
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany |
Date learned: 11-00-1968
LA BEFANA
SHE IS AN OLD, UGLY, BENEFICIENT LADY THAT COMES AT
NIGHT DOWN THE CHIMNEY. SHE LEAVES GIFTS IN SHOES,
STOCKINGS, SOCKS; GIFTS AND CANDIES ARE LEFT FOR GOOD
CHILDREN AND PIECES OF COAL FOR BAD CHILDREN. SHE
COMES ON THE EVE OF EPIFANY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 5 |
Date learned: 03-00-1968
EACH SEMESTER, ABOUT THREE WEEKS AFTER SCHOOL STARTS,
TAU KAPPA EPSILON HAS THEIR CARNATION BALL. IT IS A
PARTY DURING WHICH BIDS ARE HANDED OUT TO PROSPECTIVE
PLEDGES. EACH BOY TO WHOM THE FRATERNITY OFFERS
A BID IS TAKEN DOWNSTAIRS ONE AT A TIME. IF HE ACCEPTS
THE BID, HE COMES UPSTAIRS WEARING A RED CARNATION IN
HIS LAPEL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
WHEN I WAS A CHILD I WAS A WEBELO (PERIOD BEFORE BOY
SCOUTS). TO BE INITIATED IN THE WEBELOES, THE NEW
MEMBER WAS TOLD TO GO IN THE GARAGE AND MILK THE GOAT.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT WAS A WEBELO, AND WHEN HE WAS TOLD TO MILK
THE GOAT, HE REFUSED BECAUSE HE KNEW THAT GOATS
WEREN'T ALLOWED TO BE KEPT IN THE CITY. THERE
WASN'T ANY GOAT IN THE GARAGE, IT WAS JUST A PUT-ON.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 11-10-1971
WHEN A GIRL IS INITIATED INTO A SORORITY, THEY HAVE
A CEREMONY WHERE ALL THE GIRLS ARE HOLDING HANDS IN A
CIRCLE AND THIS DENOTES THEY ARE ONE. WHEN THEY
BRING A NEW MEMBER IN FOR INITIATION, THE CIRCLE IS
BROKEN TO LET IN THIS MEMBER AND THIS SHOWS THAT
THEY ARE PART OF THE WHOLE NOW.
Submitter comment:
WHILE TALKING ABOUT SORORITIES ON CAMPUS WITH A
GIRL, SHE TOLD ME THIS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; FARMINGTON ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 02-25-1970
WHEN THE FLEMISH BUILD A HOUSE, AND THE WALL BOARD IS UP,
THEY TIE AN EVERGREEN TO THE CORNER OF THE HOUSE.
Submitter comment: TOLD BY GRANDMOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Foundation rite Laying of cornerstone |
Date learned: 09-00-1967
SLOVAK CUSTOM
ON THE FEAST OF THE THREE KINGS (JANUARY 6) THE SLOVAKS HAVE
A CUSTOM IN WHICH THE PARISH PRIEST VISITS EACH HOME IN THE
AREA. AS HE ENTERS THE HOUSE, HE WRITES IN CHALK THE SYMBOL
OF THE THREE KINGS OVER THE THRESHOLD OF ONE'S DOOR. THEN,
THE ENTIRE HOUSE IS BLESSED.
James Callow comment: THIS IS BACKLOG MATERIAL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany |
Date learned: 10-02-1971
TO TEST IF YOUR HUSBAND HAS BEEN UNFAITHFUL, DRAW
A CIRCLE ON THE GROUND, TAKE A HOT IRON WHICH
HE HAS TO CARRY ON HIS HAND THREE TIMES AROUND THE
CIRCLE AND IF HE DOESN'T BURN HIMSELF, HE IS
INNOCENT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Day after wedding |
Date learned: 02-00-1968
THERE SHOULD BE IVY IN A BRIDE'S WEDDING BOUQUET.
BEFORE THE BRIDE THROWS THE FLOWERS, SHE TAKES A
PIECE OF THE IVY. LATER ON, SHE PLANTS THE IVY.
THE GROWING OF THE IVY SYMBOLIZES THE GROWING LOVE
OF THE HUSBAND AND WIFE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Day after wedding |
Date learned: 03-10-1972
THE BRIDE TAKES THE IVY FROM HER WEDDING BOUQUET AND
PLANTS IT AND DISPLAYS IT IN A SIGNIFICANT PART OF THE
HOME AS A REMINDER OF HER WEDDING DAY AND OF THE
GROWTH OF THEIR LOVE AND LIFE TOGETHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Day after wedding |
Date learned: 03-07-1971
CHILD BED WETTING
IT IS BELIEVED THAT IF YOU PLAY WITH MATCHES YOU WILL WET THE BED.
Where learned: DETROIT
Keyword(s): CAUSE ; FUNCTION ; MATCHES
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 11-19-1968
BELIEF
IF A PERSON ENTERS ONE DOOR, HE SHOULD LEAVE BY THE SAME TO
AVOID BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
THIS INFORMANTS GRANDMOTHER ALWAYS MADE SURE THIS WAS DONE IN
HER HOUSE.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Door ; Entrance ; Exit ; Huse ; LUCK ; SUPERSTITION
James Callow Keyword(s): DIRECTION ; POSITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 09-22-1970
COUGH
RECIPE FOR COUGH SYRUP: ONE-HALF CUP OF BROWN SUGAR, ONE LARGE WHITE
ONION, TWO CUPS OF WATER. BOIL IT INTO A SYRUP.
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM HER MOTHER.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: 03-20-1967
IF YOU HAVE AN ITCHY NOSE YOU'RE
GOING TO KISS A FOOL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; UNION
| Subject headings: | Spirit / Mind / Body BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed BELIEF -- Body part Senses SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 10181967 ASSUMED