Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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TOM SWIFTY
"SOMEBODY STOLE MY PINEAPPLES," HE SAID DOLEFULLY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; HOLDEN HALL 203 ;
Keyword(s): FOOD
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Wellerism Quotation |
HER MOTHER PUTS NEW PENNIES INTO THE BATTER IN MAKING A
BIRTHDAY CAKE. THOSE WHO RECEIVE PENNIES IN THEIR PIECE
OF CAKE WILL HAVE GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Private birthday or anniversary |
Date learned: 09-00-1967
THE PERSON WHOSE BIRTHDAY IT IS GETS TO PICK THE MENU,
THE DRINKS AND ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE NIGHT. THE
BIRTHDAY GIFTS ARE GIVEN DURING THE MEAL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Private birthday or anniversary |
Date learned: 10-22-1968
ON YOUR BIRTHDAY, WHEN YOU BLOW OUT THE CANDLES ON
THE BIRTHDAY CAKE, YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO MAKE A WISH;
IF YOU DO NOT TELL ANYBODY YOUR WISH, IT WILL COME TRUE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Private birthday or anniversary |
Date learned: 10-22-1968
SPIDER IN HAIR
A TEENAGE GIRL RATTED HER HAIR AND DIDN'T COMB IT OUT FOR TWO WEEKS.
SHE DIED SUDDENLY. AN AUTOPSY HAD TO BE PERFORMED TO DETERMINE THE
CAUSE OF DEATH. THEY FOUND THAT SPIDERS HAD MADE THEIR HOME IN HER
HAIR AND HAD EATEN THEIR WAY INTO HER BRAIN.
Submitter comment: HEARD SEVERAL TIMES ON U-D CAMPUS.
Where learned: DETROIT
Keyword(s): DEATH INSECT LAZINESS ; FATAL HAIRDO
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Body part Senses |
SPIDER LADY
A GIRL WAS GOING TO A BIG PARTY AND HAD HER HAIR DONE AT A SALON.
IT WAS FIXED IN A BEEHIVE WITH LOTS AND LOTS OF HAIRSPRAY. SHE LIKED
IT SO WELL THAT EVERYDAY SHE JUST PUT A LITTLE MORE SPRAY ON AND
NEVER TOOK IT DOWN OR WASHED IT. ONE DAY SHE SCRATCHED HER HEAD AND
BLOOD TRICKLED DOWN. SHE WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL WHEREUPON
EXAMINATION IT WAS REVEALED ANTS HAD COLONIZED IN HER HAIR.
Where learned: DETROIT
Keyword(s): FATAL HAIRDO ; INSECT HAIRDO
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Body part Senses |
Date learned: 02-20-1968
SCRATCHED ; SCRATCHING AT THE DOOR (KEYPUNCHER'S TITLE)
SEVERAL DECADES AGO A NUMBER OF CO-EDS WERE HATCHETED TO DEATH AT
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY. IT WAS THEN DECREED THAT NO CO-ED WAS TO
GO OUT ALONE AFTER DARK. ONE EVENING A CO-ED FOUND IT NECESSARY TO GO
TO THE LIBRARY TO FIND A BOOK WHICH SHE NEEDED FOR AN EXAM ON THE
NEXT DAY. HER ROOMMATE WAS ILL, THE CO-ED WENT OUT ALONE. LATER IN
THE EVENING THE ILL CO-ED HEARD SCRATCHING AT HER DOOR. FRIGHTENED
SHE PUSHED A DRESSER AGAINST THE DOOR AND WAITED. NOTHING FURTHER
WAS HEARD, AND SHE FELL ASLEEP. WHEN SHE AWOKE IN THE MORNING, HER
ROOMMATE HADN'T RETURNED. THE GIRL PUSHED THE DRESSER FROM THE DOOR
AND PULLED IT OPEN. HER ROOMMATE HAD RETURNED. SHE LAY AT THE DOOR,
HAND OUT-STRETCHED, WITH A HATCHET PLANTED IN HER BACK.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT HEARD TALE FROM A FRIEND WHO ATTENDS M.S.U.
Where learned: DETROIT
Keyword(s): CAMPUS HORROR STORY ; DEATH UNIVERSITY ; GORE
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 10-23-1965
BIRTHDAY MEAL
IT IS THE CHINESE CUSTOM TO EAT NOODLES ON ONE'S
BIRTHDAY. THE LONG NOODLES SIGNIFY A LONG LIFE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Private birthday or anniversary |
Date learned: 11-00-1968
MEXICAN BIRTHDAY
AT A MEXICAN BIRTHDAY PARTY, ONE CAN ALWAYS FIND A
PINATA. THIS IS AN ANIMAL-SHAPED CONTAINER THAT IS
FILLED WITH CANDY AND COINS. IT IS USUALLY MADE OF
BRIGHTLY COLORED PAPER. THE MAIN FIGURES USED ARE
THE BULL AND HORSE. A PINATA CAN EITHER BE MADE IN
THE HOME OR ONE CAN BUY IT IN A LOCAL STORE. IT IS
HUNG FROM THE CEILING AND EACH CHILD AT THE PARTY
RECEIVES A TURN TO TRY TO BREAK THE PINATA. THE CHILD IS
BLINDFOLDED AND USES A STICK FOR HIS FEAT. ONCE THE
PINATA IS OPENED THE CANDY AND COINS FALL TO THE FLOOR
AND THE CHILDREN GET ON THEIR KNEES, TRYING TO GET
AS MUCH AS THEY CAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Private birthday or anniversary |
Date learned: 10-10-1971
EVERYTIME THERE IS A BIRTHDAY IN THEIR FAMILY, THEY
PUT EACH PRESENT OVER THE PERSON'S HEAD WHOSE BIRTHDAY
IT IS SAYING, "HEAVY, HEAVY HANG OVER YOUR HEAD, WHAT
ARE YOU GOING TO DO WITH IT?" THE PERSON THEN GUESSES
ASKING, "EAT IT, DRINK IT, PLAY WITH IT, WEAR IT?"
AFTER GUESSING THEY OPEN THE PRESENT. IT DOESN'T
REALLY MATTER IF THEIR GUESSES WERE APPROPRIATE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Private birthday or anniversary |
Date learned: 09-00-1967
THAI CUSTOM
DO NOT SAY THE NAMES OF THE DEAD BECAUSE IT WILL
STOP THOSE THAT ARE STILL ALIVE FROM BEING
CHANGED TO ANOTHER STATE OR FORM OF BEING.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS IN THAILAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 03-01-1971
CAR FOR SALE
A PERSON BOUGHT THAT CAR AND EVERY TIME HE CLOSED THE WINDOWS
THE STENCH INSIDE THE CAR WOULD BE SO STRONG YOU COULDN'T GET IN
THE CAR--LIKE ON A WARM DAY. THIS STILL HAPPENED YEARS AFTERWARDS.
Submitter comment:
I, THE COLLECTOR, TOLD THEM ABOUT THE CAR WHICH THE OWNER COULD NOT
SELL BECAUSE A PERSON WHO HAD DIED IN IT WAS LEFT IN IT FOR SOME
TIME AND THE ODOR REMAINED. IT PROMPTED THE FOLLOWING:
HEARD THIS IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Vehicle propelled by mechanical or other force on land BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 05-11-1965
NEVER EAT BREAD WHEN A FUNERAL PASSES BY, BECAUSE
YOUR TEETH WILL FALL OUT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 10-23-1970
IRISH CUSTOM
IN OLD IRISH FAMILIES, AFTER ANYBODY DIES, THE FAMILY
THROWS A PARTY IN COMMEMORATION OF HIM.
Submitter comment:
JOHN TOLD ME THAT HIS GUESS IS THAT THEY DO THIS IN
ORDER TO SHOW THAT THEY REALIZE THAT BAD THINGS WILL
HAPPEN AND THAT MANY GOOD THINGS WILL OCCUR AND LIFE
WILL GO ON.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 11-14-1968
IRISH WAKE
IN THE OLD DAYS, AFTER SOMEONE DIED, THE PEOPLE USED
TO WAIT AND WATCH FOR THREE DAYS TO SEE IF THE PERSON
WOULD WAKE UP FROM A FIT.
Submitter comment:
NOTE: SOMETIME CELEBRATING WAS INVOLVED IN THE HOPE
THAT THE PERSON WOULD WAKE UP. JIM TOLD ME THIS CUSTOM
AFTER HE HEARD JOHN GRIFFIN'S VERSION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 11-22-1968
ITALIAN-AMERICAN CUSTOM
WHEN THE FUNERAL IS OVER, ITALIAN-AMERICANS GO TO THE
HOME OF THE DECEASED FOR A FEAST.
Submitter comment: ACQUIRED CUSTOM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 08-00-1967
EGYPTIAN PHAROAHS BELIEVED THAT THEY SHOULD BE
BURIED WITH FOOD, WINE, WATER, WIVES AND SERVANTS
FOR THEIR AFTER LIFE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 11-25-1969
UNCIVILIZED INDIANS BELIEVED THAT THEY SHOULD BE
BURIED ABOVE THE GROUND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 11-25-1969
GREEK CUSTOM
IF A WOMAN FINDS HERSELF A WIDOW AFTER 40, SHE WILL WEAR
BLACK FOR THE REST OF HER LIFE. THIS PARTICULAR FACT
IS PERTINENT TO THE GREEKS.
Submitter comment: JAMES'S MOTHER TOLD HIM OF THIS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 12-05-1967
IN THIS RELIGIOUS CEREMONY THE MONK TAKES A LEAF AND
POURS WATER TO THE GROUND WHERE THE DEAD ARE BURIED.
THE LEAF MAY ALSO CONTAIN FOOD. THIS IS TO INSURE
FOOD TO THE DEAD AND A BELIEF IN LIFE AFTER DEATH.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS IN THAILAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; THAILAND ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 02-11-1971