Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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CUSTOM
WHEN SOMEONE IN OUR FAMILY DIES, WE BURN A CANDLE IN A SPECIAL, SMALL
GLASS JAR FOR A WEEK. WE'RE BURNING IT FOR THE DEAD PERSON'S SPIRIT,
TO FEED THE SPIRIT. THEN ON EACH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEATH WE BURN
THE SAME CANDLE FOR A WEEK. THIS IS SO THE DEAD PERSON'S SOUL
KNOWS YOU HAVEN'T FORGOTTEN HIM.
Submitter comment: THIS IS A JEWISH CUSTOM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; COLLECTORS HOME
James Callow Keyword(s): FOOD
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour BELIEF -- P647 |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
GOOD LUCK CHARM
I WEAR A SMALL, GOLDEN HAND ON A CHAIN AROUND MY NECK, WITH A PIECE
OF TURQUOISE ON IT. IT WILL KEEP ME FROM EVIL. THIS HAND WAS GIVEN
TO ME BY MY GRANDMOTHER WHEN I WAS BORN--I HAVE IT ALWAYS WITH ME.
IT HAS MUCH POWER BECAUSE IT WAS MADE IN PALESTINE, ABOUT 1916.
Submitter comment:
THE HAND IS SUPPOSED TO REPRESENT THE HAND OF FATIMA, DAUGHTER OF THE
PROPHET MOHAMMED. IF THERE IS A TINY STONE SET INTO THE HAND, IT
REPRESENTS AN EYE--IT WILL THROW THE CURSE BACK DOUBLY ON ITS
ORIGINATOR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; COLLECTORS HOME
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
CUSTOM
IN LEBANON WE HAVE A CUSTOM THAT IS FOLLOWED WHEN A MAN AND A WOMAN
MARRY. A WOMAN MUST BE A VIRGIN WHEN SHE MARRIES, SO ON THE NIGHT
AFTER THE WEDDING, THE COUPLE TAKES THEIR BLOODY SHEET TO THE HOUSES
OF BOTH THEIR FAMILIES TO PROVE THIS. IF THE WOMAN WAS NOT A VIRGIN,
HER HUSBAND WOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO DIVORCE HER AT ONCE, AND HER
FAMILY WOULD LOSE THEIR HONOR.
Submitter comment: THIS IS A CUSTOM FOLLOWED BY MUSLIMS IN LEBANON.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; COLLECTORS HOME
James Callow Keyword(s): BREAKING THE HYMEN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
SUPERSTITION
WHEN I WAS YOUNGER I USED TO HAVE A GOOD-LUCK DOLL CALLED A WISH-NIK.
IT WAS SMALL, NEITHER MALE NOR FEMALE, WITH A TROLL'S FACE, AND IT
HAD LONG, BRIGHTLY COLORED HAIR. TO MAKE A WISH, YOU RUBBED ITS BELLY
OR STROKED ITS HAIR, WHILE THINKING OF WHAT YOU WANTED TO HAPPEN.
THE ORIGINAL WISH-NIKS HAD HORSESHOES STAMPED ON THE BOTTOM OF THEIR
FEET. WHEN THEY BECAME MORE COMMERCIALIZED, THEY STOPPED DOING THAT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; COLLECTORS HOME
James Callow Keyword(s): AMULET
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 03-00-1979
FOLK ART: FUNCTIONAL SHIFT
I HAVE CONVERTED AN OLD PRINTER'S TYPE CASE INTO A KITCHEN
WALL DECORATION.
Submitter comment:
THE COMPARTMENTS WERE FILLED WITH BEANS, GRAIN AND OTHER KITCHEN
OR FOOD ORIENTED ITEMS. GLASS WAS THEN USED TO SEAL THE ITEMS
IN AND TO ALLOW THEM TO BE VIEWED. THE CASE ALSO HOUSES A SPICE
RACK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; COLLECTORS HOME
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Color Design |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
FOLK ART: FUNCTIONAL SHIFT
I HAVE CONVERTED AN OLD GALVANIZED, COPPER-BOTTOMED OVAL WASH
TUB INTO A MAGAZINE RACK.
Submitter comment:
THE TUB WAS PAINTED BLACK AND DECALED WITH A SCENE DEPICTING AN
OLD GENERAL STORE. MAGAZINES ARE STACKED INSIDE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; COLLECTORS HOME
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Color Design |
Date learned: 00-00-1975
FOLK ART: FUNCTIONAL SHIFT
WE USE AN OLD WOOODEN CABBAGE CUTTER AS A WALL DECORATION AND
"WHAT-NOT" SHELF.
Submitter comment:
THE CUTTER IS NOT MODIFIED IN ANY WAY EXCEPT FOR THE ADDITION OF
A HOOK SO THAT IT MAY BE HUNG. FIGURINES AND OTHER DISPLAY ITEMS
ARE ARRANGED IN THE BOX SHAPED PORTION WHICH SERVED TO HOLD THE
CABBAGE FOR CUTTING.
THIS ITEM IS ALSO CALLED A CABBAGE SHREDDER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; COLLECTORS HOME
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Color Design |
Date learned: 00-00-1977
LUCK
AN ELEPHANT WITH ITS TRUNK TURNED UP IS GOOD LUCK, WITH HIS TRUNK
DOWN IS BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment: THIS ELEPHANT MAY BE A FIGURINE, A TOY ETC.
Where learned: ; COLLECTORS HOME
Keyword(s): ANIMALS: ELEPHANTS
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Good luck P881.31 BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.31 |
Date learned: 03-10-1970
Entry filtered.
CHIVARI
ON CHRISTMAS EVE, A GROUP OF CHILDREN WOULD WALK FROM ONE FARM TO THE
OTHER AND COLLECT FOOD. THIS FOOD WAS LATER GIVEN TO THE POOR.
Submitter comment:
MR. OULETTE AND HIS CHILDHOOD FRIENDS FOLLOWED THIS TRADITIONAL
PRACTICE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE PARK ; COLLECTORS HOME
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Gifts, gift giving at Christmas |