Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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RURAL AREAS STILL CARRY ON THE CUSTOM WHEREBY EXPECTANT
PARENTS SOMETIMES BORROWED A BABY TO KEEP IN THEIR HOME
UNTIL THEIR OWN CHILD WAS BORN.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LEARNED OF THE ABOVE WHILE LIVING AT HER
FATHER'S ANCESTRAL HOME IN OKAYAMA PREFECTURE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: 08-01-1964
EXPECTANT PARENTS ARE SOMETIMES PRESENTED WITH BABY STORKS
OF RICE DOUGH, ONE WHITE AND ONE RED, EMBLEMS OF CONGRAT-
ULATIONS. ALSO, WITH A THIN WHITE COTTON SASH, WITH THE
ENDS DIPPED IN ROUGE. THIS IS USED AT A CEREMONY AT
WHICH ONLY THE TWO SPOUSES, WOMEN MEMBERS OF BOTH
FAMILIES ARE PRESENT. THE SASH IS PASSED THROUGH THE
GARMENT SLEEVES OF THE FATHER-TO-BE, FROM LEFT TO RIGHT.
THEN IT IS ADJUSTED AROUND THE MOTHER-TO-BE (SEATED NEXT TO
HIM) WHO IS HENCEFORTH REGARDED AS A "LADY OF RETIREMENT."
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LEARNED THE ABOVE FROM A MEMBER OF HER FAMILY
WHO WENT THROUGH SUCH A CEREMONY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: 08-01-1964
RUSSIAN BELIEF - FORECASTING BIRTH OF BABY
THE BABY WILL BE BORM 4 AND ONE-HALF MONTHS FROM THE
DAY THE EXPECTANT MOTHER FEELS THE FIRST KICK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: 10-08-1968
FORECASTING SEX OF UNBORN CHILD
IF THE EXPECTANT MOTHER'S NAILS ARE BLUE, SHE WILL
GIVE BIRTH TO A BOY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: 10-08-1968
CEMETERY BIRD
WHEN MR. LEHR WAS A KID, THEY BELIEVED THAT IF A
CEMETERY BIRD LANDED ON ANYTHING WHICH BELONGED
TO SOMEONE, THEN THAT SOMEONE WAS SUPPOSED TO DIE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 01-24-1967
INDIAN SWEETTOOTHS
MR. LEHR REPORTS THAT HE OFTEN HUNTS IN THE EASTERN
PART OF THE UPPER PENINSULA OF MICHIGAN. HE SAYS
THAT THE INDIANS WILL BEG FOR EVERYTHING UP THERE
AND THAT THEY WOULD RATHER HAVE CANDY BARS THAN
STEAK. HE SAYS THAT HE HAS OFTEN WALKED INTO A
BAR AND FOUND AN INDIAN DRINKING PEPSI (SOFT
DRINK). WHEN SOMEONE ELSE BUYS THAT SAME INDIAN
HAS BEER. THEN WHEN HE HAS TO BUY HIS OWN DRINK
HE ONCE AGAIN HAS PEPSI.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- P439 |
PREGNANCY CAUSE
DON'T LEAVE YOUR BABY'S WET DIAPER ON MY BED, OR
I'LL GET PREGNANT AGAIN.
Submitter comment:
TOLD TO ME BY MRS. VORNDAM LAST CHRISTMAS, WHEN I
WAS VISITING HER HOME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 12-25-1966
MY MOTHER HAD THREE OF THEM, BUT THE WHEELS FELL OFF.
ON THE OTHER HAND, SHE HAD WARTS.
Submitter comment:
IF YOU BRAG THAT YOU HAVE THIS AND THAT, INFORMANT WILL
COUNTER WITH THIS FORMULA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 02-22-1970
IF TWO PEOPLE SAY THE SAME THING AT THE SAME TIME, THEY
ARE SUPPOSED TO COUNT TO TEN AND THE FIRST ONE
FINISHED SAYS, "OWE ME A COKE."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
James Callow Keyword(s): COLA-COLA (SODA POP)
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 01-00-1968
WHEN YOU RECEIVE HOLY COMMUNION, THE FIRST THING YOU
SHOULD EAT AFTER THAT IS A PIECE OF BREAD.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT PRACTICES THIS. SHE COULDN'T VOCALIZE
ANY REASON FOR DOING IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church |
Date learned: 02-22-1970
BLOCK ROSARY
FORMERLY ALL THE MOTHERS ON THE BLOCK WHO BELONGED TO
THE CHRISTIAN MOTHERS SOCIETY WOULD HAVE A ROSARY
SAID ONCE A WEEK AT THE HOUSE OF ONE OF THEIR
MEMBERS HOMES, USUALLY ON A WEDNESDAY, THIS WOULD
BE DECIDED BY THE GROUP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
DEVIL'S NIGHT
WHEN I WAS YOUNG, THE NIGHT BEFORE HALLOWEEN, DEVIL'S
NIGHT, WE WOULD GO OUT AND PLAY TRICKS ON PEOPLE.
ONE TRICK WAS TO FILL A PAPER BAG UP WITH MANURE, THEN
PUT IT ON THE DOORSTEP OF SOMEONE'S HOUSE. THEN,
WE WOULD LIGHT THE BAG ON FIRE, AND RING THE DOORBELL.
WE'D RUN AND HIDE. WHEN THE PERSON WOULD ANSWER THE
DOOR AND SEE THE BURNING BAG, HE'D RUN OUT AND START
STAMPING IT. THEN HE'S START CUSSING AND YELLING
WHEN HE'D SEE HIS SHOE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 02-15-1972
CUSTOM IN JAPAN FOR JAPANESE TO WRITE POETRY AT CERTAIN
PARTIES, SUCH AS A MOON-GAZING PARTY WHERE ONE SITS IN
THE MOONLIGHT AND MAKES POEMS; OR A FLOWER-VIEWING
PARTY WHERE ONE HANGS POEMS ON THE FLOWER BRANCHES.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THE ABOVE WHILE LIVING IN JAPAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 08-01-1964
JAPANESE CARRY FLOWERS WITH THE TOPS FACING DOWNWARDS
BECAUSE IT IS NOT THE APPEARANCE OF THE FLOWERS THAT
ARE BEING CARRIED THAT IS CONSIDERED, INSTEAD, JAPANESE
CONSIDER A THING INVISIBLE UNTIL IT IS SETTLED INTO
ITS PROPER PLACE. MOREOVER, JAPANESE SELDOM CARRY
FLOWERS UNLESS TO GRAVES OR TEMPLES. FLOWERS FOR THE
HOUSE ARE BOUGHT FROM FLOWER BENDORS WHO COME TO THE
DOOR. FLOWERS ARE NEVER WORN, NOR ARE THEY SENT AS
GIFTS BECAUSE THEY WHITHER AND DIE.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS WHILE GROWING UP IN JAPAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Daily Life |
Date learned: 08-01-1964
JAPANESE CHILDREN (EXCEPTING THE LOWER CLASSES) DO
NOT EAT ON THE STREET OR IN PUBLIC PLACES; ONLY AT
THE TABLE.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS WHILE GROWING UP IN JAPAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Daily Life |
Date learned: 08-01-1964
IT IS A JAPANESE CUSTOM TO HAVE A "SHADOW TABLE" FOR
ONE'S ABSENT FIANCE OR HUSBAND (AS DURING THE WAR) OR
A DEAD HUSBAND, ETC. THAT IS A PLACE WAS ALWAYS SET
AND FOOD SERVED AT MEALS FOR THE ABSENT AS IF HE WERE
ACTUALLY PRESENT. IN THE CASE OF THE FIANCE, IT WAS
A METHOD BY WHICH THE BRIDE-TO-BE LEARNED TO GROW
AWARE OF THE NEEDS AND COMFORTS OF HER HUSBAND-TO-BE.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS WHILE GROWING UP IN JAPAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Daily Life |
Date learned: 08-01-1964
JAPANESE DO NOT PRAISE ANY MEMBER OF THEIR FAMILY AS
THE EXPRESSION OF APPROVAL IN ANY FORM IS CONSIDERED
BAD FORM. IN FACT, WHEN SPEAKING OF A DAUGHTER OR
SON (HOWEVER BRILLIANT OR DUTIFUL) A PARENT WILL
DEPRECIATE HER OR HIM.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THE ABOVE WHILE GROWING UP IN JAPAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Daily Life |
Date learned: 08-01-1964
POLITENESS IS A SOCIAL CUSTOM IN JAPAN THAT HAS BEEN
CULTIVATED TO ITS FINEST POINT. POLITE RESTRAINT IS
SEEN IN TWO WOMEN ABOUT TO ENTER A DOOR, AND WHO
SPEND TEN SECONDS OR SO, BOWING AWAY, URGING THE
OTHER TO GO FIRST. IT LITERALLY GOVERNS EVERY PHASE
OF JAPANESE LIVING.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LEARNED THE ABOVE WHILE GROWING UP IN
JAPAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Daily Life |
Date learned: 08-01-1964
MARRIED COUPLE TALE
ONE DAY A MAN'S WIFE WOKE UP AND TOLD HER HUSBAND THAT
SHE HAD A BAD DREAM AND THAT HE SHOULDN'T GO TO WORK
BECAUSE SHE FELT SURE SOMETHING TERRIBLE WOULD HAPPEN
TO HIM. SO HER HUSBAND STAYED IN BED THAT MORNING;
AND WHILE HE WAS IN BED, A LARGE MIRROR THAT HUNG
ABOVE THE BED FELL AND KILLED HIM.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT TOLD THIS AS A TRUE STORY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Married couple |
Date learned: 02-22-1970
TIN CAN COPPER
FOR THIS GAME YOU WILL NEED A BIG EMPTY CAN. THE PERSON THAT IS IT
IS THE TIN CAN COPPER. HE GUARDS THE TIN CAN. THE OBJECT OF THE
GAME IS FOR THE COPPER TO ARREST ALL OF THE PLAYERS AS THEY TRY TO
KICK THE CAN. THE TIN CAN COPPER STAYS IN THE AREA OF THE TIN CAN
PROTECTING IT FROM THE OTHERS. THE OTHER CHILDREN TRY TO SUCCEED IN
KICKING THE CAN AWAY FROM THE COPPER. BEFORE THE COPPER CAN CHASE
THE CHILD HE MUST FIRST RETURN THE CAN TO THE SAME SPOT. ONCE THE
CAN HAS BEEN REPLACED THE COPPER CAN TRY TO CATCH THE OTHERS. IF A
CHILD IS CAUGHT BEFORE THE CAN IS KICKED AGAIN THAT PERSON IS CAUGHT
FOR THE REST OF THE GAME.
Submitter comment:
THE WORD COPPER IN THIS GAME MUST HAVE ORIGINATED FROM THAT TIME
BECAUSE I HAVE HEARD IT IN OLD MOVIES. THERE IS A VARIATION OF
THIS GAME I USED TO PLAY. WE CALLED IT KICK THE CAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Hiding Searching Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 00001930S