Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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TRADITIONAL POLISH DANCE DRESS
TRADITIONAL POLISH DANCE DRESS FOR A WOMAN IS A VELVET BLACK VEST
WITH SEQUINS, VERY FANCY AND INTRICATE, AND USUALLY HAND-SEWN.
THE DRESS FALLS BELOW THE KNEE, AND IS BRIGHTLY COLORED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Dress Overall body coverUpper body and arms |
Date learned: 00001970S
AN ANNUAL MASS
EVERY YEAR THE UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT SCHOOL OF LAW ALUMNI AND
STUDENT BAR ASSOCIATION MARK THE NEW COURT TERM WITH THE CELEBRATION
OF THE ANNUAL RED MASS.
HISTORICALLY, IT IS AT THIS MASS THAT JUDGES HAVE GATHERED TO INVOKE
DIVINE GUIDANCE IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THEIR DUTIES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 10-00-1980
A LEBANESE WEDDING CEREMONY.
AT A LEBANESE WEDDING CEREMONY THE PRIEST SINGS THE SERVICE AND
PLACES A CROWN ON THE HEAD OF THE BRIDE AND GROOM.
THE COUPLE TRADE THEIR CROWNS SEVERAL TIMES DURING THE CEREMONY
TO SYMBOLIZE THE UNION OF THE COUPLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Ceremony |
A CHALDEAN SAYING
HERSA CASA (EAT YOUR HEART OUT).
Submitter comment: DOUG LEARNED THIS CHALDEAN SAYING IN SOUTHFIELD, MICHIGAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00001970S
PRACTICAL JOKE
THE JOKE TELLER INSTRUCTS THE DUPE TO REPEAT THE PHRASE
"BEHIND THE BUSH" AFTER EVERY STATEMENT THAT HE MAKES.
JOKE TELLER- THERE WAS A YOUNG MAN.
DUPE- BEHIND THE BUSH.
JOKE TELLER- TAKING OFF HIS CLOTHES.
DUPE- BEHIND THE BUSH.
JOKE TELLER- WHERE WERE YOU?
DUPE- BEHIND THE BUSH.
Submitter comment:
THIS JOKE IS MEANT TO TRAP PEOPLE (ESPECIALLY WOMEN) INTO
ADMITTING TO HAVING DONE SOMETHING DISGUSTING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
James Callow Keyword(s): CATCH TALE ; REFRAIN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: 00001970S
PROVERB
A SMALL HOUSE CAN HOLD A LOT OF FRIENDS.
Submitter comment:
THE PROVERB MEANS THAT YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE RICH TO HAVE MANY
FRIENDS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
LEBANESE BELIEF
WHEN A LEBANESE COUPLE IN LEBANON GET MARRIED, THE BRIDE IS GIVEN
A HUNK OF RAISED DOUGH SO THAT SHE MAY STICK IT ON THE DOORWAY,
AS SHE IS CARRIED OVER THE THRESHOLD.
IF THE DOUGH STICKS THE LEBANESE PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT THE COUPLE
WILL HAVE MANY CHILDREN.
Submitter comment: SOME LEBANESE-AMERICANS STILL PRACTICE THIS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | Observation Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 00001960S
DROP A FORK, EXPECT A VISITOR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 00-00-1983
TAUNT
U. G. L. Y.
YOU AIN'T GOT NO ALIBI!
YOU'RE UGLY!
Submitter comment:
THIS TAUNT IS DELIVERED IN THE FORM OF A CHEER.
ITS USES ARE VARIED; IT HAS BEEN USED AT SPORTS COMPETITIONS, AND
TO DISPOSE OF UNWANTED ROMANTIC PURSUERS WHILE "CRUISING"
WITH FRIENDS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Custom Festival Custom Festival Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Speech Speech |
Date learned: 00-00-1983
NAMING
SHEENIES: IN MY OLD NEIGHBORHOOD (DETROIT) THERE USED TO BE THESE
PEDDLERS, WHO WENT AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD
WITH CARTS OF ODDS AND ENDS THAT SOMEBODY MIGHT NEED.
IT WAS LIKE A MOBILE FLEA MARKET, AND THE NEIGHBORHOOD
WOMEN WOULD GO OUT AND BUY WHAT THEY NEEDED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
Keyword(s): SHEENIES
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Proper Name |
Date learned: 11-00-1983
RIDDLE
WHY WERE HELEN KELLER'S HANDS PURPLE?
BECAUSE SHE HEARD IT ON THE GRAPEVINE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 11-00-1983
ON EPIPHANY IN THE MORNING, WE'D GO TO MASS AND BRING
FRANKINCENSE AND MYRHH AND A BIT OF GOLD TO BE BLESSED.
WHEN WE GOT HOME, THE FRANKINCENSE WOULD BE PUT ON HOT COALS
AND WE'D WALK WITH IT THEN ALL OVER THE HOUSE, INTO EVERY
ROOM WITH IT, I GUESS IT WAS SUPPOSED TO DRIVE OUT EVIL SPIRITS
OR CLEAN THE AIR FOR GOOD ONES OR SOMETHING, I DON'T REALLY
KNOW... ANYWAY, AFTER WE FINISHED GOING THROUGH THE HOUSE,
OVER EACH DOORWAY IN THE HOUSE, WE'D WRITE IN CHALK
A " K " THEN A CROSS, THEN A " M ", THEN ANOTHER CROSS, AND
A " B " . THE THREE LETTERS WERE THE INITIALS OF THE NAMES OF
THE THREE WISE MEN WHO CAME TO SEE THE BABY JESUS. YOU HAD TO
LEAVE THE CHALK UP ALL YEAR LONG; IF YOU WASHED THE WALLS,
YOU WASH AROUND THE CHALK. IT WAS BAD LUCK IF YOU WIPED IT OFF
BEFORE THE NEXT YEAR'S EPIPHANY.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS AN OLD POLISH-CATHOLIC CUSTOM. MRS. MASTERS GREW UP
IN ST. HEDWIG'S PARISH, WHERE MANY OLD WORLD TRADITIONS LIVED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany BELIEF -- Measure of time Year BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 11-00-1983
MY MOTHER WAS ALWAYS ON US ON NEW YEAR'S EVE TO GET ALL OUR
WORK AND CHORES DONE BY THE END OF THE DAY, BECAUSE IF YOU
DON'T GET EVERYTHING DONE THAT YOU HAVE TO, IT WILL FOLLOW
YOU INTO THE NEW YEAR, AND YOU'LL BE LATE THE WHOLE NEXT YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve BELIEF -- Measure of time Year BELIEF -- Measure of time Working |
Date learned: 11-00-1983
WEDDING CUSTOM
AT A WEDDING RECEPTION, THE BRIDE GOT PAID $1 A DANCE BY
THE MEN AT THE RECEPTION. YOU KNOW, A DOLLAR WAS A LOT MORE
MONEY THEN THAN IT IS NOW; NO ONE REALLY HAD ANY MONEY THEN.
BUT THEY WERE BIG-HEARTED - THE GUYS GOT A KICK OUT OF IT.
THE POOR GIRL WAS WHACKED BY THE END OF THE NIGHT, BUT EVERYONE
NEEDS A FEW STICKS OF FURNITURE. THE MONEY WAS FOR THE BRIDE'S
DOWRY SINCE MOST HAD JUST IMMIGRATED AND HAD NO MONEY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Paying for dance |
Date learned: 00-00-1983
WHEN YOU GOT A NEW ARTICLE OF CLOTHING, YOU DIDN'T DARE WEAR IT
OUT ANYWHERE UNTIL YOU WORE IT TO CHURCH, SO THAT THEY WERE
BLESSED OR SOMEHOW INFLUENCED BY BEING IN THE CHURCH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. Favorites ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Dress BELIEF -- Church |
Date learned: 00-00-1983
CORPUS CHRISTI FESTIVAL
ON CORPUS CHRISTI WE WOULD ALWAYS HAVE A PARADE THAT STARTED
AT THE CHURCH AND PROGRESSED AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD TO
ALTARS SET UP ON THE PORCHES OF PEOPLE IN THE PARISH.
THE FAMILY CHOSEN TO HAVE THE ALTAR DECORATED THE HOUSE
ON THE OUTSIDE WITH FLOWERS, LOTS AND LOTS OF FLOWERS - MY
MOTHER USED TO CUT DOWN HER WHOLE BED OF PEONIES AND BRING
THE FLOWERS TO THE CHURCH; THEY REALLY NEEDED AS MANY AS
THEY COULD GET. THE ALTAR WAS JUST A STURDY TABLE COVERED,
AND THERE WERE FLOWERS ALL AROUND. THE MEN CUT BRANCHES OFF
TREES AND NAILED THEM UP TO MAKE A GREEN BACKGROUND. ANYWAY,
THE PROCESSION STARTED AT THE CHURCH, STOPPED AT EACH
ALTAR AROUND THAT BLOCK, AND ENDED AT A CHAPEL. THE PARADE
WAS A MASS, AND A DIFFERENT PART OF THE MASS WAS SAID AT
EACH ALTAR. THE BLESSED SACRAMENT WAS CARRIED IN THE PARADE,
AND THE PRIESTS LED IT WITH THE SERVERS WHO CARRIED CANDLES.
BEHIND THEM, THE CHILDREN MAKING THEIR FIRST COMMUNIONS WALKED
IN THEIR DRESSES AND VEILS AND SUITS. THEN CAME THE CHURCH
CLUBS, AND THE REST OF US GOT TO WALK IN THE REAR. EVERYONE
SANG WITH THE CHOIR AS WE WALKED FROM PLACE TO PLACE, AND
THE LINE WAS SO LONG THAT THE PEOPLE IN THE END WOULD BE
LAGGING IN THE SONG, OUT OF PACE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Summer |
Date learned: 11-00-1983
CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER
CHRISTMAS EVE WE WERE TO FAST UNTIL DINNER. MY FATHER SPREAD
SOME HAY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TABLE BECAUSE JESUS WAS BORN
IN A STABLE AND LAID IN STRAW. WE ALWAYS SET AN EXTRA PLACE
AT THE TABLE IN CASE JESUS HAPPENED TO COME TO OUR DOOR
AS A BEGGAR. FOR DINNER THERE WERE TWELVE DIFFERENT DISHES
AND WE HAD TO SAMPLE EACH ONE, EVEN IF IT WAS JUST A SINGLE
PEA. I DON'T KNOW WHY FOR SURE, I GUESS IT WAS JUST TRADITION.
WE COULD NEVER START DINNER BEFORE THE FIRST STAR APPEARED,
SO ONE OF US WOULD BE OUTSIDE WATCHING FOR IT.
ONE MORE THING, EVERYONE HAD AN UNLEAVENED WAFER, AND BREAKING
OFF A PIECE OF ANOTHER PERSON'S WAFER, RECEIVED A WISH FOR THE
NEXT YEAR OF LUCK OR HAPPINESS. AS CHILDREN, WE KEPT OUR
PIECES UNDER OUR PLATES TO SAVE THEM UNTIL AFTER DINNER
BECAUSE WE LOVED TO HAVE A HAND FULL OF WISHES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
Date learned: 00-00-1983
LEGEND OF SAINT (MAR) ADDAI
BEFORE JESUS DIED, JESUS RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE KING
OF EDDESSA, A MAN CALLED ABGAR. HE WROTE JESUS A LETTER
BECAUSE HE HAD HEARD PEOPLE SAYING JESUS WAS HAVING TROUBLE
WITH THE JEWS. IN ABGAR'S LETTER HE ASKS AND INVITES JESUS
TO COME TO EDDESSA WHERE HE WOULD SHARE IN ABGAR'S KINGDOM.
EDDESSA WAS A SMALL COUNTRY AND JESUS WITH ABGAR WOULD
REIGN TOGETHER. IN THE LETTER ABGAR MENTIONS THAT HE HAS LEPROSY
AND ASKS TO BE CURED BY JESUS.
JESUS WROTE ABGAR A LETTER, THE ONLY LETTER THAT HISTORY
EVEN MENTIONS THAT JESUS WROTE.
JESUS WRITES IN THE LETTER--"I CAN'T COME NOW, BUSY
WITH MY FATHER'S BUSINESS. AFTER I RETURN TO MY FATHER
I WILL SEND SOMEONE TO YOU AND THEY WILL TAKE CARE OF YOUR
NEEDS."
JESUS DIES, BUT TO CONTINUE THE STORY, THERE ARE THREE LEGENDS
OF THE PASSING ON THE TRADITION OF THE LETTER OF JESUS.
(1) AN ARTIST SENT WITH ABGAR'S LETTER COULDN'T DRAW THE FACE
OF JESUS SO JESUS TOOK A CLOTH AND PRESSED IT TO
HIS FACE, THEN AN IMAGE OF JESUS APPEARED. (THIS WAS
BEFORE JESUS' DEATH)--IMAGE OF JESUS TAKEN TO ABGAR WHICH HEALS
HIM.
(2) VERONICA'S VEIL--IMAGE OF JESUS TAKEN TO ABGAR WHICH HEALS
HIM.
(3) THE IMAGE OF JESUS ON THE BURIAL SHROUD (NOW THE SHROUD
OF TURIN, ITALY)--WHICH WAS TAKEN AND HEALED ABGAR'S LEPROSY.
AFTER JESUS' DEATH AND RESURRECTION AND ASCENSION, THE
APOSTLES DISPERSE AND GO TO VARIOUS PARTS OF THE WORLD.
ST. THOMAS, REMEMBERING JESUS' PROMISE AND LETTER, SENT
THADDEUS (TH-ADDAI-US) TO ABGAR WITH THIS WONDERFULL IMAGE
OF CHRIST. THE PERSON WHO INTRODUCED ADDAI TO THE COURT
OF THE KING WAS A JEWISH MAKER OF VESTMENTS AND ROYAL
CROWNS WHO THEN MADE A COVER FOR THE PICTURE, AND AS THIS IMAGE
WAS CARRIED INTO THE COURT, ABGAR WAS STRUCK BY A
BRILLIANT LIGHT COMING FROM THE PORTRAIT AND WAS CURED
OF HIS LEPROSY. THE BRIGHT LIGHT CURED ABGAR'S LEPROSY
AND ABGAR WAS CONVERTED TO CHRISTIANITY, HE WAS A PAGAN
BEFORE. ALL OF HIS FAMILY OFFERED RICH REWARDS FOR MAR (SAINT)
ADDAI, BUT ADDAI REFUSED. HE WANTED THE CHANCE
TO PREACH TO THE WHOLE KINGDOM. ADDAI DID, AND THE WHOLE KING-
DOM WAS CONVERTED BY HIS ELEQUENCE. THEN ADDAI WENT TO
OTHER PARTS OF PERSIA. ABGAR'S GRANDSON, ALSO NAMED ABGAR,
REVERTED BACK TO PAGANISM AND PERSECUTED CHRISTIANS.
THE CHRISTIANS TOOK THE IMAGE OF CHRIST AND HID IT
IN A NICHE ABOVE THE CITY GATE, WITH IT WAS BURIED
A COPY 0F THE IMAGE AND A LAMP, A BURNING LAMP.
OVER THE YEARS PEOPLE FORGOT WHERE THE IMAGE WAS HIDDEN AND
THE STORY BECAME MERELY A LEGEND UNTIL THERE WAS A GREAT
FLOOD WHICH DESTROYED PART OF THE CITY WALLS, INCLUDING PART
OF THE GATE OVER WHICH THE IMAGE WAS HIDDEN. DURING
THE REPAIRS, THE IMAGE WAS REDISCOVERED WITH THE LAMP
WHICH WAS STILL BURNING. THE PEOPLE TOOK THE IMAGE AND
RESPONDED WITH GREAT JOY AND PROCESSED IT TO THEIR
TOWN INTO THE CHURCH WHERE IT WAS ENSHRINED FOR MANY HUNDREDS OF
YEARS.
Submitter comment:
THE LEGEND OF MAR ADDAI IS NOTED IN AN ANCIENT HISTORIAN'S
WRITING, THAT OF EUSEBIUS. IT HAS BEEN CARRIED ON
THROUGHOUT THE CENTURIES BY PIOUS CHURCH FOLLOWERS.
EDDESSA, TODAY IS MODERN URFA IN TURKEY.
MAR MEANS SAINT OR LORD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
LEGEND OF SAINT WILGEFORTES
SAINT WILGEFORTES WAS THE 12TH CHILD OF 13 CHILDREN ALL
BORN AT THE SAME TIME TO THE QUEEN OF PORTUGAL. WILGEFORTES
GREW UP TO BE PRETTY, INTELLIGENT, AND A GOOD CHRISTIAN.
HER FATHER HAD HER BETROTHED TO THE KING OF SARDINIA WHO
WAS A PAGAN. SHE HAD VOWED HER VIRGINITY TO CHRIST, THAT
SHE MIGHT NOT MARRY ANYONE, MUCH LESS A PAGAN. THE KING OF
SARDINIA ARRIVED IN GREAT GLORY FOR THE NUPTIALS AND THAT
NIGHT DURING THE FEAST AS WELL AS INTO THE WEE HOURS INTO
THE MORNING, WILGEFORTES PRAYED TO GOD TO PRESERVE HER
VIRGINITY. GOD HEARD HER PRAYERS AND SHE GREW A FULL BEARD.
THE KING OF SARDINIA WAS HORRIFIED AND DECIDED HE HAD
SOMETHING BETTER TO DO. HE SAILED OFF IN HIS SHIPS.
WILGEFORTES' FATHER WAS SO FURIOUS THAT HE HAD HER TIED
TO A CROSS AND CRUCIFIED HER. HER IMAGE IS THAT OF A BEARDED
LADY ON A CROSS. SAINT THOMAS MORE WROTE THAT SINCE SHE
WAS KNOWN AS A PATRONNESS OF WOMEN WHO "WERE ENCUMBERED" (SIC)
WITH TROUBLESOME HUSBANDS, HER SHRINE WAS "MUCH FREQUENTED
BY THE MATRONS OF LONDON."
Submitter comment:
THIS LEGEND IS AN ATTEMPT BY PEOPLE OF CERTAIN TIMES TO
UNDERSTAND THE OBJECTS OF DEVOTION OF AN EARLIER AGE.
THE FIRST CROSSES OF THE CHURCH WERE HEAVILY JEWELLED
AND ORNAMENTED TO FORGET THE HORROR OF THE CRUCIFIXION,
AND GRADUALLY THEY BEGAN TO PUT THE FIGURE OF CHRIST ON THE
CROSS REIGNING IN GLORY AND MIGHT. LITTLE BY LITTLE AS
STYLES OF PIETY CHANGED, PEOPLE BEGAN TO TAKE OFF THE
ROYAL VESTMENTS. THE CROWNS WERE REMOVED, PRIESTLY
ROBES TAKEN AWAY. THE PEOPLE WERE LOOKING FOR A MORE
REALISTIC VERSION UNTIL CHRISTIANS GOT TO CHRIST IN
AGONY. IN THE MIDDLE AGES, PEOPLE COULD UNDERSTAND CHRIST
AS KING OR IN AGONY, BUT THEY DIDN'T UNDERSTAND
THAT OF A BEARDED PERSON ON THE CROSS ALIVE, SO THEY
INVENTED SAINT UNCUMBER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 10-17-1983
REMEDY FOR WARTS
REMEDY FOR REMOVAL OF WARTS AS TOLD BY MARK TWAIN:
UNDER A FULL MOON GO TO CEMETERY, STAND WITH YOUR
BACK TO THE MOON AND THROW THE BODY OF A DEAD BLACK
CAT BY THE CAT'S TAIL OVER YOUR LEFT SHOULDER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 10-17-1983