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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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EASTERTIDE--POLISH-AMERICAN CUSTOM
IN THE UNITED STATES, ESPECIALLY IN HAMTRAMCK, MICHIGAN
POLISH-AMERICANS CELEBRATE "DYNGUS" DAY. THIS OCCURS ON
THE FIRST DAY AFTER EASTER. POLISH-AMERICAN BOYS ARE
ALLOWED TO SWITCH GIRLS ON THE LEGS WITH SMALL TREE
BRANCHES. JUST AS IN THE POLISH CUSTOM, POLISH-AMERICAN
BOYS ARE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE HOME OF THE GIRL AND EVEN
ENTER HER BEDROOM TO SWITCH HER. ON THE SECOND DAY AFTER
EASTER, THE POLISH-AMERICAN GIRLS GET THE SAME OPPORTUNITY
TO SWITCH THE BOYS WITH SLENDER TWIGS. THE BOYS WERE
USUALLY SMARTER THAN THE GIRLS AND NEVER STAYED HOME ON
THE SECOND DAY AFTER EASTER. SWITCHING WAS NEVER DONE
OUTDOORS, AND THE BOYS WERE USUALLY PAID A FEW DIMES OR
NICKELS WHEN THEY SWITCHED A GIRL, AND IF THE GIRL'S
PARENTS DIDN'T HAVE MUCH MONEY, THEY GAVE FRUIT.
Submitter comment: CUSTOM IS NOT STILL PRACTICED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Tuesday Revenge Day |
Date learned: 10-15-1969
ON NEW YEAR'S DAY IN JAPAN THE DOORWAYS AND GATEWAYS ARE
DECORATED WITH PINES, WHICH ARE GENERALLY REMOVED ON
THE MORNING OF THE 8TH DAY. (TRADITION HAS IT THAT THE
TREES SINK INTO THE EARTH DURING THE 7TH NIGHT.)
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT WAS BROUGHT UP IN JAPAN AND NURTURED IN
JAPANESE TRADITION AND CUSTOM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's |
Date learned: 08-01-1964
EARLY NEW YEAR'S MORNING (ABOUT 4:00 A.M.) THE CHILDREN
WOULD KNOCK ON EACH DOOR AND SHOUT:
ICH WUNSCHE EUCH ALLES GUT NEUES JAHR ALLEMITSAM,
KALBER UND KUHE UND ALS WAS IHR HAM.
I WISH EACH AND EVERYONE A GOOD NEW YEAR INCLUDING
CALVES, COWS, AND WHATEVER ELSE YOU HAVE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GERMANY ; WARREN ; BAVARIA ; ALLGAU
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's |
Date learned: 09-27-1968
AMONG THE UKRAINIANS, THE FIRST TO ENTER THE HOUSE ON
NEW YEAR'S DAY FORETELLS THE WAY THE NEW YEAR WILL TURN
OUT. THEREFORE, YOUNG BOYS GO FROM HOUSE TO HOUSE
TO BRING NEW YEAR'S GREETINGS, RECITE A SPECIAL VERSE,
AND THEN SCATTER GRAINS OF WHEAT OR OTHER SEED OVER
THE FLOOR AS A SYMBOL OF GOOD LUCK AND GENERAL PROSPERITY
FOR THE COMING YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's BELIEF -- Good luck BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 10-00-1970
JAPANESE CUSTOM
ON NEW YEAR'S EVE, ONE SCATTERS ROUND BEANS (SYMBOLIC OF
THE STONE OF HEALTH) THROUGHOUT THE HOUSE. THE BEANS ARE
USED TO PELT AND CHASE AWAY THE DEMONS OF EVIL. AT THE
SAME TIME ONE SINGS: "GOOD LUCK WITHIN! EVIL, GO OUT!
OUT!"
Submitter comment:
WHEN IN JAPAN, INFORMANT USED TO JOIN HER FAMILY IN THE
ABOVE CUSTOM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve BELIEF -- Use of Object BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 08-01-1964
ON NEW YEAR'S EVE, BREAK AN EGG AND DROP THE EGG WHITE IN
A GLASS OF WATER. PUT THE GLASS IN A COLD PLACE OVERNIGHT.
IN THE MORNING THE SHAPE OF THE EGG WHITE IN THE GLASS
OF WATER WILL PREDICT YOUR FORTUNE FOR THE YEAR.
EXAMPLES: A SHIP MEANS TRAVEL; TALL BUILDINGS MEAN BUSINESS
IN THE CITY; LOTS OF LITTLE PEARLS MEAN EXTRA GOOD LUCK.
NO SHAPE AT ALL MEANS THERE COULD BE SICKNESS OR SOME
LITTLE PROBLEM OUT OF THE ORDINARY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve BELIEF -- Use of Object BELIEF -- Use of Object BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 09-17-1968
IF YOU REMEMBER WHAT YOU DREAMED OF ON NEW YEAR'S EVE, IT
WILL COME TRUE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve |
Date learned: 10-00-1970
HUNGARIAN CUSTOM
ALWAYS SERVE ROAST PORK ON NEW YEAR'S DAY; NEVER SERVE
FOWL. THE REASON: THE PIG WILL DIG GOOD LUCK INTO THE
GROUND BUT FOWL WILL MAKE GOOD LUCK FLY AWAY.
Submitter comment:
PORK IS STILL SERVED IN MY PARENT'S HOME ON NEW YEAR'S
DAY, BUT THIS HAS NOW BECOME MORE OF A FAMILY TRADITION
THAN A SUPERSTITION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 09-17-1968
BREAKING OF BREAD
DURING NEW YEAR, BEFORE DINNER, THE FAMILIES GATHER TOGETHER
AND EACH MEMBER HAS A PIECE OF "ANGEL BREAD " (UNLEAVENED
BREAD). THEN EACH MEMBER BREAKS A PIECE OFF EACH OF THE
OTHER MEMBERS PIECE OF "ANGEL BREAD" WHILE WISHING THEM THE
BEST OF EVERYTHING FOR THAT SEASON, FOLLOWED BY A KISS
OR A HAND SHAKE. AFTER EVERYONE HAS EXCHANGED, THE PIECES
ARE EATEN.
IF A MEMBER IS OUT OF TOWN THE OUT OF TOWNER SENDS A PIECE
OF "ANGEL BREAD" IN A GREETING CARD TO THE FAMILY FOR
EXCHANGE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
ST. NICHOLAS DAY
ON THE EVE OF THE FEAST OF ST. NICHOLAS, ALL THE
CHILDREN WOULD PUT THEIR SHOES IN THE FRONT ROOM
WINDOW BETWEEN THE GLASS AND THE SCREEN. IN THE
MORNING, THE CHILDREN 'S SHOES WOULD BE FILLED
WITH VARIOUS GOODIES, DEPENDING ON THEIR BEHAVIOR.
IF THE CHILDREN WERE GOOD, THEIR SHOES WOULD BE FILLED
WITH FRUIT AND MONEY. IF THEY WERE BAD, THEIR SHOES
WOULD BE FILLED WITH POTATOES AND ONIONS OR COAL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN ; AUSTRIAN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F120 |
Date learned: 10-08-1968
THE NUMERALS OF THE CURRENT YEAR ARE PRINTED ON THE
INSIDE OF THE BUILDINGS ABOVE THE FRONT DOOR OF THE
HOME AND ABOVE THE MAIN DOOR OF THE BARN.
EACH YEAR THE CHANGE IS MADE ON THE FEAST OF THE
EPIPHANY. FOR GOOD LUCK, THE INITIALS OF THE THREE
KINGS ARE PLACED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NUMERALS WITH
A CROSS BETWEEN EACH LETTER. EXAMPLE: 19C (CROSS) M
(CROSS) B 68
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GERMANY ; WARREN ; BAVARIA ; ALLGAU
Keyword(s): BALTHAZAR ; KASPAR ; MELCHIOR
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany |
Date learned: 11-17-1968
IT IS GOOD LUCK TO SEAT AN ODD NUMBER OF PEOPLE FOR THE
CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 03-24-1970
THIS IS A POLISH CUSTOM TAKING PLACE THE DAY AFTER
A WEDDING. THE NAME FOR THE CUSTOM IS "POPROWINY."
THE IMMEDIATE FAMILY GATHERS AT THE HOME OF THE
BRIDE'S MOTHER (USUALLY ON A SUNDAY) AND JOINS
IN LEFTOVER REJOICING FROM THE NIGHT BEFORE. THE
LEFTOVER FOOD AND DRINK IS CONSUMED AT THE SAME
TIME. THE NEWLYWEDS MAY OR MAY NOT BE PRESENT.
Submitter comment: KNOWN FROM TRADITION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage F545.152 |
Date learned: 08-00-1964
BABY BOYS ARE PREFERRED BECAUSE IT IS THE CUSTOM FOR
THE FAMILY NAME IN JAPAN TO BE PERPETUATED DOWN
THROUGHOUT THE AGES, AND WITHOUT RESORTING TO THE
CUSTOM OF ADOPTION. THAT IS, IF THERE ARE ONLY
GIRLS IN A FAMILY, AT THE MARRIAGE OF THE ELDEST
DAUGHTER, THE BRIDEGROOM ADOPTS THE FAMILY NAME
OF THE BRIDE AND THUS PERPETUATES THE FAMILY NAME
OF THE BRIDE. (GIRLS, OTHERWISE, ARE ALWAYS
WELCOME IN JAPANESE HOMES.)
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LEARNED THE ABOVE WHILE GROWING UP IN
JAPAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN ; JAPAN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Day after wedding |
Date learned: 08-01-1964
TRADITIONAL SONG SUNG AT WEDDINGS IS "LET ME CALL
YOU SWEETHEART."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Circle singing |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
POLISH
JUST BEFORE MIDNIGHT, THE ORCHESTRA PLAYS A GRAND
MARCH. ALL THE GUESTS JOIN IN THE PARADE WITH THE
BRIDE AND GROOM LEADING, THEN THE BRIDESMAIDS
AND USHERS, THEN PARENTS, ETC.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Grand march |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
JAPAN
IT IS NOT THE JAPANESE CUSTOM FOR OUTSIDERS TO GIVE
WEDDING PRESENTS AS JAPANESE MARRIAGES ARE REGARDED
AS A FAMILY MATTER. OF COURSE, VAST CHANGES HAVE
OCCURRED DURING POST-WAR JAPAN.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT GREW UP IN JAPAN AND WAS SCHOOLED IN
JAPANESE CUSTOM AND TRADITION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Gifts |
Date learned: 08-01-1964
DURING A POLISH WEDDING, EVERY MAN DANCES WITH THE
BRIDE. DURING THIS DANCE MONEY IS GIVEN TO THE
BRIDE SO SHE WILL NEVER BE POOR.
Submitter comment:
THIS CUSTOM WAS DONE AT THE INFORMANT'S WEDDING
HERE IN THE UNITED STATES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Paying for dance |
Date learned: 11-07-1971
AT THE WEDDING THE BRIDE THROWS THE BOUQUET AND
WHOEVER CATCHES IT WILL BECOME THE NEXT BRIDE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Bouquet toss |
Date learned: 01-00-1968
POLISH
BRIDE AND GROOM EAT FIRST PIECE OF CAKE TOGETHER,
AT THE WEDDING RECEPTION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Wedding cake |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN