Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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CUSTOMS AND BELIEFS
FOR UKRAINIAN CHRISTMAS EVE AND EASTER DINNERS, A PLATE, WITH FOOD
IS PLACED FOR THE FAMILY MEMBERS WHICH PASSED AWAY. IN THE OLD
COUNTRY THE FARM ANIMALS WERE LATER GIVEN THE FOOD OFF THE
PLATE WITH THE IDEA THAT THE FAMILY'S DEAD RELATIVE'S SPIRITS
LIVED IN THE ANIMALS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
LEGENDS OF THE UKRAINIAN EASTER EGGS
OF THE VARIOUS TYPES OF EASTER EGGS OF THE UKRAINE, THE PYSANKA AND
THE KRASHANKA ARE THE MOST WIDELY KNOWN. KRASHANKA IS FROM THE WORD
KRASKA WHICH MEANS COLOR. THE KRASHANKA IS A HARD-BOILED EGG WHICH
IS DYED A SOLID COLOR, AND MAY BE EATEN. THE PYSANKA STEMS FROM
THE VERB PYSATY, WHICH MEANS TO WRITE, AS THE DESIGNS ARE ACTUALLY
WRITTEN ON THE EGG, WHICH IS DYED IN SEVERAL COLORS. BUT UNLIKE
THE KRASHANKA THE PYSANKY ARE RAW AND NOT EATEN. IF A WOMAN IS
CHILDLESS AND DESIRES A CHILD. SHE WOULD BE GIVEN AN EGG DECORATED
WITH A CHICKEN, THE SIGN OF A FERTILE CREATURE, AND HOPEFULLY HER
FAMILY WOULD GROW. IT WAS THOUGHT TO BE THE MAN'S FAULT AFTER
THAT. TO HELP THE MAN HE WAS GIVEN AN EGG WITH A PATTERN OF
ROOSTERS. TO HELP OLDER MEN, WHO WERE GOING DOWN HILL WHEN IT
CAME TO THEIR VIGOR, THEY
WERE GIVEN AN EGG DECORATED WITH OAK LEAVES.
AS CHRISTIANITY CAME TO THE UKRAINE SO DID SOME MORE LEGENDS.
THE HUTZELS FROM WESTERN UKRAINE TELL A STORY THAT THE VIRGIN
MARY FILLED HER APRON WITH EGGS, AND WHEN SHE APPEARED BEFORE
PONTIUS PILATE TO PLEAD FOR HER SON, SHE DROPPED TO HER KNEES AND
THE EGGS ROLLED OUT OVER THE SURFACE OF THE WORLD UNTIL THEY WERE
DISTRIBUTED AMONG ALL NATIONS. IN ANOTHER STORY, MARY IS SAID TO
HAVE FILLED A BASKET WITH EGGS WHICH SHE CARRIED TO THE SOLDIERS
SITTING AT THE FOOT OF THE CROSS. THERE SHE LEFT IT. AFTER A
TIME, THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST FLOWED DOWN, STAINING THE EGGS WITH
THEIR CHARACTERISTIC COLOR. THE UKRAINIAN EASTER EGGS ALSO
ANSWER THE PROBLEMS OF THE WORLD. AS LONG AS THE PYSANKY TRADITION
REMAINS, AND EGGS CONTINUE TO BE DECORATED, THE WORLD WILL EXIST.
SHOULD THE CUSTOM CEASE, EVIL WILL ENCOMPASS AND DESTROY THE WORLD.
THIS IS BECAUSE AN ANCIENT, VICIOUS CREATURE IS HEAVILY CHAINED
AGAINST A HUGE CLIFF AND EACH YEAR SERVANTS OF THE CREATURE GO OUT
ABOUT THE WORLD AND TAKE COUNT HOW MANY PYSANKY ARE DECORATED IN
THE WORLD. WHEN THERE ARE FEW PYSANKY THE CREATURE'S CHAINS LOOSEN
AND EVIL BEGINS TO FLOW THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. SHOULD THE SERVANTS
FIND THE CUSTOM OF DECORATING EGGS BEING PRACTICED WIDELY THEN THE
CHAINS OF THE MONSTER TIGHTEN, ALLOWING LOVE TO CONQUER EVIL.
PEASANTS PLACED KRASHANKA SHELLS IN THE THATCHED ROOFS OF THEIR
HOMES AND UNDER HAY MOUNDS TO TURN AWAY HIGH WINDS. BEEKEEPERS
PUT THEM UNDER HIVES FOR A GOOD SUPPLY OF HONEY. A KRASHANKA,
BLESSED ON EASTER EVE, WAS SUSPENDED ON A STRING FROM THE NECK
OF AN ILL PERSON, OR TOUCHED TO INFECTED AREAS ON PERSONS SUFFERING
FROM BLOOD POISONING TO EFFECT A CURE.
Submitter comment: FERTILITY SYMBOLS
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
TALE
THERE IS A STORY OF A WOMAN WHO OPENED A CAN OF TOMATO SOUP AND
POURED IT INTO A POT. BUT ALONG WITH THE SOUP CAME A WHOLE MOUSE.
SINCE THEN THE WOMAN HAS TO TAKE PILLS IN ORDER TO EAT ANY FOOD.
Submitter comment: COOKING AND CANNING
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
POOR BOYS CRICKET
FIND SIX EMPTY TIN CANS, AND STACK THREE CANS PYRAMID FASHION
APPROXIMATELY THIRTY FEET APART FROM THE OTHER THREE CAN PYRAMID.
TWO PERSONS, EACH HAVING BASEBALL BATS, STAND OPPOSITE EACH OTHER
JUST IN FRONT OF THE THREE PYRAMID CANS. THEY ARE ON THE SAME TEAM
AND ARE KNOWN AS THE BATTERS. TWO MORE PERSONS, KNOWN AS THE FIELDERS
EACH STAND BEHIND THE RESPECTIVE BATTERS AND PYRAMID CANS.
ONE OF THE FIELDERS THROWS A BASEBALL TOWARDS THE BATTER STANDING
IN FRONT OF THE CANS OPPOSITE HIM AIMING AT THE STOCKED CANS BEHIND
HIM. IF THE BATTER TOWARDS WHOM THE BALL IS THROWN HITS IT, AND IT
IS NOT CAUGHT BY A FIELDER, THEN THE BATTERS HAVE A HIT. THEY
CIRCLE THE CANS TO SEE HOW MANY RUNS (OR TRIPS AROUND) THEY BOTH CAN
MAKE BEFORE ONE OF THE FIELDERS CAN RETRIEVE THE BALL. IF THE
BATTERS DO NOT RETURN TO THEIR POSITIONS IN FRONT OF THE CANS.
AND ONE OF THE FIELDERS RETRIEVES THE BALL AND PROCEEDS TO KNOCK
DOWN THE THREE CANS AT EITHER END THE BATTERS ARE COUNTED OUT.
THE BATTERS NOW HAVING BEEN COUNTED OUT TAKE THE PLACES OF THE
FIELDERS BEHIND THE RESPECTIVE PYRAMID CANS. THE BATTERS ARE ALSO
OUT IF THE BALL IS PITCHED TO ONE BATTER AND HE SWINGS AND MISSES,
AND THE BALL KNOCKS DOWN THE CANS.
EACH RESPECTIVE TEAM KEEPS TRACK OF THEIR RUNS, AND AFTER A
SPECIFIED PERIOD OF TIME THE TEAM WITH THE MOST RUNS ARE THE WINNERS.
THERE MAY BE MORE THAN FOUR PLAYERS. THE OTHERS ARE OUT IN THE
FIELD AND TAKE THEIR TURNS IN ROTATION AT BEING BATTERS. THOSE
IMMEDIATELY BEHIND THE RESPECTIVE BATTERS ARE TERMED AS PITCHER AND
CATCHER, AND ARE THE NEXT ONES TO TAKE THEIR TURNS AT BAT ONCE THE
BATTERS ARE OUT. IF ONE OF THE FIELDERS CATCHES THE BALL THEN TOO,
THE BATTERS ARE OUT AND THOSE IMMEDIATELY BEHIND THE RESPECTIVE
BATTERS ARE THE NEXT BATTERS, AND THE NEXT FIELDERS TAKE THEIR PLACES
AS PITCHER AND CATCHER.
Submitter comment:
PLAYED DURING THE DEPRESSION AROUND WINNIPEG, MANITOBA, CANADA
WITH THE MINIMUM OF FOUR PLAYERS
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 00001930S
DEVILS NIGHT PRANK
IN THE LITTLE TOWN OF SMOOTH ROCK FALLS ONTARIO CANADA, ONE PRANK FOR
DEVIL'S NIGHT CONSISTED OF BOYS TAKING A FARMER'S WAGON APART. THEY
WOULD THEN PUT IT TOGETHER ON TOP
OF THE FARMER'S BARN, AND LEAVE
IT THERE FOR THE FARMER TO FIND IT IN THE MORNING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F103 |
Date learned: 10-29-1977
POLISH CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
BETWEEN CHRISTMAS AND JANUARY 6 (THE OFFICIAL FEAST DAY OF THE
WISEMEN), POLISH PEOPLE, IN ORDER TO CELEBRATE THE VISITION OF THE
WISEMEN TO CHRIST, CHALK THE FRONT DOORS OF THEIR HOMES WITH THE
LETTERS K, M, AND B. THESE INITIALS SIGNIFY THE NAMES OF THE MAGI:
KASPAR, MELCHIOR, AND BALTHASAR. THE INITIALS ARE ALSO A SIGN OF THE
POLISH FAMILY'S WELCOMING ANY VISITORS WHO WISH TO STOP IN DURING THE
THE CHRISTMAS SEASON. ALSO BETWEEN CHRISTMAS AND JAN. 6, FIVE OR SIX
MEN DRESS UP IN WISEMAN COSTUMES AND PARADE DOWN THE STREETS. THEY
USUALLY CARRY THE HEAD OF A BEAR CARVED OUT OF WOOD. THIS HEAD IS
MOUNTED ON A LONG STICK AND HELD UP BY ONE OF THE MEN. THE LOWER
CHIN OF THE BEAR HEAD IS MOVABLE AND CONTROLLED BY PULLING A STRING.
THE MOVEMENT OF THE LOWER CHIN CAUSES A CLAPPING SOUND WHICH ATTRACTS
THE ATTENTION OF THE PEOPLE AND CHILDREN ON THE STREET. THESE
COSTUMED PARADERS GO FROM HOME TO HOME ALONG THEIR ROUTE COLLECTING
GROCERIES AND LIQUORS. THESE IMPROMPTU ACTORS DO THIS TO GET ALL
THE PEOPLE IN THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Keyword(s): EPIPHANY
Date learned: 10-11-1969
AFTER THE CHRISTMAS EVE SUPPER, UKRAINIAN UNMARRIED GIRLS TAKE SPOONS
AND HIT THEM TOGETHER OUTDOORS. FROM WHICHEVER SIDE A DOG BARKS
FIRST, FROM THENCE HER FUTURE HUSBAND WILL COME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Keyword(s): MARRIAGE PREDICTION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Predictions BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 10-00-1970
CAROLING
AMONG THE UKRAINIANS, ON CHRISTMAS DAY GROUPS OF CAROLERS VISIT THE
UKRAINIAN HOMES SINGING ANCIENT CAROLS AND BRINGING GREETINGS.
THEY CARRY WITH THEM A LARGE STAR OF BETHLEHEM, MADE OF COLORFUL
PAPER AND WOOD, LIT WITH A CANDLE (OR NOW AN ELECTIC LIGHT).
OR THE CAROLERS WILL CARRY A MINIATURE MANGER ("WERTEP") WITH
HAND CARVED WOODEN FIGURES. ANOTHER CUSTOM WHICH HAS ALMOST
PASSED AWAY IS THAT OF PRESENTING LITTLE SKITS WITH MEMBERS
OF THE GROUP DRESSED IN APPROPRIATE COSTUMES: AN ANGEL,
THREE KINGS, SHEPHERDS, AND A COMICAL CHARACTER FOR A TOUCH OF
HUMOUR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Date learned: 10-00-1970
(POLAND) ; CHRISTMAS TREE DECORATIONS
ALL ORNAMENTS ARE HANDMADE.
WEEKS BEFOR THE HOLIDAY, EVERYONE, INCLUDING CHILDREN START
MAKING ORNAMENTS. SOME ARE MADE FROM EGGSHELLS, OTHERS ARE
HAND PAINTED MUSHROOMS, PAPER CUTOUTS, ALL DRAWN FREEHAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas tree |
Date learned: NOT RECORDED
CHRISTMAS CUSTOM (POLISH)
THE CHRISTMAS TREE WAS NEVER TAKEN DOWN BEFORE THE FEAST OF THE MAGI.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas tree |
Date learned: NOT RECORDED
CHRISTMAS CUSTOM (POLISH)
A CHRISTMAS TREE MUST HAVE AN ANGEL ORNAMENT PLACED ON THE TOP
OF THE TREE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas tree |
Date learned: NOT RECORDED
AMONG UKRAINIANS THE RITUAL OPENING OF THE CHRISTMAS EVE MEAL
IS THE BRINGING IN OF A SHEAF OF WHEAT CALLED "DIDUKH"
(GRANDFATHER), A SYMBOL OF THE GATHERING OF THE CLAN; THIS
IS DONE BY THE MASTER OF THE HOUSEHOLD. (IN THE CITIES
THIS TRADITION HAS BEEN MODIFIED AND THE SHEAF IS REPLACED
WITH A FEW STALKS OF WHEAT IN A VASE.) THE SHEAF IS
PLACED IN THE CORNER OF THE DINING ROOM AND
REMAINS THERE UNTIL NEW YEAR WHEN IT IS TAKEN OUT AND BURNED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Straw |
Date learned: 10-00-1970
CHRISTMAS EVE CUSTOM
IN THE HUNGARIAN NEIGHBORHOODS IN WINDSOR DURING THE 1920'S, THE MEN
WOULD GET TOGETHER DURING ADVENT AND BUILD A MANGER. ON CHRISTMAS
EVE A LIGHT WOULD BE PLACED IN THE MANGER AND FOUR MEN WOULD CARRY IT
ON THEIR SHOULDERS FROM HOUSE TO HOUSE. AT EACH HOUSE, THE MEN WOULD
STOP, HAVE A DRINK AND SOMETHING TO EAT AND THEN CONTINUE ON THEIR
JOURNEY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Manger scenes |
Date learned: 10-08-1968
GOOD LUCK BELIEF ( COLLECTOR'S TITLE ) ; GOOD LUCK: OBJECTS: PENNY ( CLASSIFIER'S TITLE )
IF YOU FIND A PENNY AND PUT IT IN YOUR SHOE YOU WILL HAVE GOOD
LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Good luck P881.15 |
Date learned: 01-00-1968
GOOD LUCK ( COLLECTOR'S TITLE ) ; GOOD LUCK: OBJECTS ( CLASSIFIER'S TITLE )
A MUSTARD SEED WILL BRING YOU GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Good luck P881.1 |
Date learned: 01-00-1968
VERSE
ROSES ARE RED,/ VIOLETS ARE BLUE,/ MY FEET STINK,/ AND SO DO YOU.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Keyword(s): PARODY ; RHYME: ABCB
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
PREGNANCY BELIEF
IF A MOTHER CONTINUES TO NURSE HER CHILD, SHE WON'T BECOME PREGNANT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 02-02-1970
A PREGNANT WOMAN SHOULD NOT ATTEND A FUNERAL, OR HER CHILD WILL
DIE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 01-22-1970
NUMBER (COLLECTOR'S TITLE)
IN JAPAN, IF A GIFT IS GIVEN WITH MORE THAN ONE PIECE (E.G., TEA SET)
IT MUST BE AN ODD NUMBER OR BAD LUCK WILL FOLLOW.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Number Odd number (not specific) |
Date learned: 09-00-1969
THE UKRAINIAN CHRISTMAS EVE SUPPER IS A TWELVE-COURES MEAL.
THE TWELVE SYMBOLIZES THE NUMBER
OF APOSTLES OF CHRIST, WHO GATHERED FOR THE
LAST SUPPER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | 686 Seconds / Twice / Two |
Date learned: 10-00-1970