Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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INDIAN CHIEF TREASURE
IT IS REPORTED THAT "TWO COPPER KETTLES FULL OF MONEY" WERE BURIED
BY A CHIPPEWA CHIEF IN THE NORTHERN PART OF BENZIE COUNTY NEAR THE
MOUTH OF THE PLATTE RIVER IN MICHIGAN. LATER THE INDIAN CHIEF
DROWNED WHEN HIS CANOE CAPSIZED IN GREEN BAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
A POLISH LEGEND
THERE IS A POLISH TALE ABOUT THE BELLS ON THE STEEPLE OF A REBUILT
CHURCH IN HEL ON THE BALTIC SEA. THERE LIVED, SO THEY SAY, A GIRL
WHO WAS TOTALLY DEAF, SO ALL SHE COULD DO WAS TO GUARD THE GOATS
IN THE PASTURE. BUT STRANGELY SHE WAS ABLE TO HEAR THOSE BELLS AS
IF THEY CALLED OUT HER NAME, JOANNA. ONE DAY SEVEN BELLS WERE
GONE AND THE GIRL WAS THE FIRST TO NOTICE THE SILENCE. PEOPLE WERE
DISMAYED AND DOWNHEARTED AND THEY BEGAN TO FEAR THAT THEY DID NOT
LIVE ACCORDING TO GOD'S COMMANDMENT, SO THE BELLS LEFT THEM.
ONE DAY THE GIRL WAS WALKING THROUGH THE FOREST AND SHE SEEMED TO
HEAR SOME RINGING.
SEARCHING IN THE GRASS, TO HER GREAT JOY, (SHE FOUND) ALL THE
BELLS. SHE DECIDED TO TAKE THEM BACK BUT THEY WERE HEAVY; SHE
ALMOST CRIED. SUDDENLY SHE HEARD THE BIG BELL SAY, "BIM, BAM,
BUM, TAKE ME FIRST, I AM THE FATHER AND THE OTHERS WILL FOLLOW."
SHE PICKED HIM UP AND FOUND HE WAS LIGHT. SHE MANAGED TO HANG
THEM UP IN THE CHURCH STEEPLE AND WHEN THE PEOPLE CAME TO MASS,
MINDING NOW TO BE ON TIME, SHE PULLED THE ROPE AND THE BELLS
STARTED TO RING. THEY RING TO THIS DAY, REMINDING THE PEOPLE,
MOSTLY FISHERMEN, TO LEAD AN HONEST LIFE SO THE BELLS WOULD NEVER
GO AWAY AND HIDE.
Submitter comment: THIS LEGEND MY GRANDMOTHER KNEW FROM HER CHILDHOOD DAYS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Magic ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Holy placeChurchTemple BELIEF -- Church |
Date learned: 10-28-1967
A LEGEND OF POLAND'S BEGINNING
IN THE MOUNTAINS OF CHARWOYA THERE ARE TWO PROMINENT HEIGHTS,
KRAPINA AND PSARY, WITH RUINS OF CASTLES ON THEM. IT IS SAID
THAT THERE LIVED THREE BROTHERS, PAGAN SLAVIC PRINCES--LECH,
CZECH, AND RUS--SONS OF THE NOBLEMAN PANANOW. THEIR SISTER
WYLINDA, WHO FELL IN LOVE WITH AN ENEMY LEADER, CAUSED WAR UPON
THE SLAVIC ARMY AND A GREAT DEFEAT. THEY GAVE THEIR SISTER THE
DEATH PENALTY AND THEN LEFT THEIR HOME FOR GOOD.
THIS (WAS) ABOUT THE YEAR 550 A.D. WHEN THE BROTHERS CROSSED THE
DUNAJ RIVER AND WENT THEIR SEPARATE WAYS. LECH WENT WITH HIS
LEAGUE OF MEN TO THE RIVER WARTA, NEAR THE LAKE GOPTO, WHERE A
SLAVIC GROUP CALLED POLAMIE LIVED. WHEN HE ARRIVED AT SUNSET,
HE SAW A NEST IN THE TREES FROM WHERE A WHITE EAGLE HAD JUST
FLOWN OUT. AT THAT PLACE HE DECIDED TO SETTLE, NAMING THE
PLACE GNIEGNO (MEANING "NEST") AND FOUNDING THE KINGDOM NAMED
POLAKOMI (MEANING "AFTER LECH"). THE KINGDOM THEN TOOK AS THEIR
COAT OF ARMS THE HWITE EAGLE WITH OPEN WINGS FOR FLIGHT IN THE
FIELD OF RED.
IT IS ALSO TOLD THAT, AFTER MANY YEARS, THE BROTHERS OF LECH,
CZECH (FROM WHOM CAME THE CZECHS) AND RUS (THE FOUNDER OF THE
RUSSIAN PEOPLE) MET AGAIN AT THIS SAME PLACE. HERE THERE WAS A
CITY BUILT SOON AFTER IN HONOR OF THIS MEETING CALLED POZNAN.
IN POLISH IT MEANS "A MEETING." THIS CITY EXISTS TO THIS DAY,
POZNAN OR POSEN, POLAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Bird PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535 |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
THE LEGEND OF THE LESZEKS AND POPIELS
AFTER THE DEATH OF WANDA, THE LEGENDARY HEROINE AND RULER OF
CRACOW, THERE RULED A GROUP OF TWELVE PALATINES. THEY FEARED
THAT SOME ENEMY WAS APPROACHING FROM RUMORS THAT WERE GOING AROUND
IN THE COUNTRYSIDE. THE ENEMY WAS SCARED OFF BY THE FORESIGHT
AND INGENUITY OF A YOUNG GOLDSMITH, LESZEK.
ON THE BUSHES AND TREES HE HUNG UP THE SHIELDS, SHINY ONES, AND
HELMETS OF THE ARMY. WHEN THE ENEMY SAW THE MULTITUDE OF THESE
SHIELDS AND HELMETS FROM FAR OFF, THEY QUICKLY LEFT, AFRAID OF
THE "LARGE ARMY" THAT AWAITED THEM. ABOUT 760 A.D. LESZEK BEGAN
HIS REIGN. HE IS ALSO KNOWN AS PRZEMYSTAIN, "AN INGENIOUS
PERSON."
WHEN LESZEK DIED, HE LEFT NO SON. THE KINGDOM, THEREFORE, HELD
A HORSE RACE TO SEE WHO WOULD BE THE NEXT RULER. THERE WERE
FIFTEEN OR SO BRAVE VOLUNTEERS. ONE SCHEMING PARTICIPANT COVERED
THE ROAD OF THE RACE WITH NAILS THE NIGHT BEFORE THE RACE. HE
DREW HIMSELF A PATH IN THE SAND SO THAT HE COULD FOLLOW WITHOUT
HURTING HIS OWN HORSE. ANOTHER PARTICIPANT DISCOVERED THE TRICK
AND PUT IRON HORSE SHOES ON HIS OWN HORSE. HE WON THE RACE AND
BECAME LESZEK II.
AFTER SEVERAL RULERS CAME POPIEL I WHO TRANSFERRED THE CAPITOL
OF POLAND FROM CRACOW TO GNIEZNO, FROM WHICH THE KINGDOM ORIGINA-
TED. HE THEN TRANSFERRED, IT IS SAID, TO THE CITY OF KRUSZWICZ
NEAR THE LAKE OF GOPLO. IT WAS HIS SON, POPIEL II, WHO WAS A
VERY GLUTTONOUS AND WEAK CHARACTER. IT IS SAID THAT HE WAS BALD
AND HAD A THICK BEARD CALLED "CHWOSTEK." HE HAD A GERMAN WIFE
WHO WAS SAID TO BE WICKED AND CRUEL, AND WHO TEMPTED HER HUSBAND
OFTEN TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SITUATIONS AND DO WRONG.
IT WAS A CUSTOM AMONG THE SLAVS TO NAME THEIR SONS AFTER THEIR
SEVENTH BIRTHDAY. HIS HAIR WAS THEN CUT FOR THE FIRST TIME
AND A BIG FEAST WAS HELD WITH FRIENDS AND RELATIVES. POPIEL II
HELD SUCH A FEAST FOR HIS SON. MANY PEOPLE WERE INVITED.
AT THIS SAME TIME, TWO PILGRIMS CAME TO HIS CASTLE ASKING FOR
REFUGE, BUT POPIEL AND HIS WIFE ANGRILY CHASED THEM OUT. IN THE
EYES OF THE POLISH AND THE SLAVS IN GENERAL, SUCH BREAKING OF THE
LAWS OF HOSPITALITY WAS A SERIOUS CRIME. POPIEL SOON PAID FOR
IT.
IT IS SAID THAT THE TWO PILGRIMS WERE REALLY TWO ANGELS. OTHERS
SAY THEY WERE THE SAINTS CYRIL AND METHODIUS ON A MISSION. BUT
THIS INCIDENT DID NOT CHANGE POPIEL. HE CONTINUED IN HIS DRUNKEN
REVELRIES AND CRIMES ONLY TO ESCAPE THE PANGS OF HIS GUILTY CON-
SCIENCE.
FINALLY, WITH COUNSEL OF HIS WIFE, HE HELD A FEAST FOR ALL HIS
RELATIVES IN ORDER TO "MAKE UP" FOR THE TIMES HE DID THEM WRONG.
HE REALLY BELIEVED THAT THESE PEOPLE WERE THE CAUSE OF HIS GUILTY
FEELINGS. AT THIS FEAST, HE POISONED EVERYONE.
IMMEDIATELY HIS PUNISHMENT FOLLOWED. FROM THE BODIES OF THE DEAD
CAME OUT HUNDREDS OF MICE. THESE MICE CHASED POPIEL AND HIS WIFE.
THEY TRIED TO HIDE IN A TOWER, BUT DID NOT SUCCEED AND WERE EATEN
UP BY THE MICE AS WELL AS WERE HIS PEOPLE. THIS TOWER, CALLED
"MICE TOWER" OR "THE TOWER OF POPIEL," STANDS IN THE CITY OF
KRUSZIVICA, POLAND.
Submitter comment:
THESE LEGENDS I'VE KNOWN SINCE CHILDHOOD DAYS FROM MY PARENTS AS
WELL AS FROM MY LESSONS IN POLISH HISTORY I TOOK FROM MRS. HELEN
CHMIELEWSKI OF DETROIT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
COLLECTING MONEY
CIAGNIE SIE, JAK BERNARDYN PO KIVESCIE.
HE'S DRAGGING HIMSELF LIKE A BERNADINE MONK AT COLLECTION TIME.
Submitter comment: THIS REFERS TO THE CUSTOM OF MONKS COLLECTING MONEY AT MASS.
Where learned: DEARBORN
Keyword(s): RELIGIOUS SIMILE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Blason Populaire PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: 11-28-1967
HUNGARIAN
AT A HUNGARIAN WEDDING RECEPTION, IF A GUEST WANTS TO
DANCE WITH THE BRIDE, HE SAYS "ALADO A MENASO," AND THEN
HE MUST CONTRIBUTE MONEY TO THE BRIDE'S BURSE, WHICH
IN TURN BECOMES A SUPPLEMENT FOR THE BRIDE AND GROOM'S
MONEYMOON.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT WORKS WITH MY FATHER AT FORD MOTOR CO.,
DEARBORN, MICHIGAN AND HE TOLD THIS HUNGARIAN
WEDDING CUSTOM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN ; FORD MOTOR CO
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Paying for dance |
Date learned: 12-01-1971
THE NUMBER 3 IS GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Good luck Numbers |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
A POLISH TALE
THERE IS POLISH TALE THAT TELLS ABOUT A PEASANT WHO WALKS ALL
THE WAY FROM POSNAN TO KOZIMIERZ, POLAND, WHERE THE KING
(KAZIMIERZ THE GREAT, 1300'S) RESIDED. THE PEASANT WANTS TO
COMPLAIN ABOUT THE LORD OF HIS MANOR WHO HAD KIDNAPPED HIS
WIFE RIGHT FROM THE WEDDING PROCESSION ON THE ROAD. HE HADN'T
SEEN HER SINCE THE KIDNAPPING.
WHEN THE PEASANT REACHES KOZIMIERZ, HE STOPS AT THE MARKET PLACE
WELL TO REST. AMONG THE MERCHANTS IN THE CROWD IS THE KING, WHO
STOPS AND QUESTIONS THE PEASANT. HE THEN EXPLAINS HIS COMPLAINT
AND PURPOSE. THE KING TAKES HIM TO THE CHURCH FOR THE NIGHT
WHERE THE PRIEST HAS THE PEASANT DRAW HIS COMPLAINT ON PAPER, AS
ALL COMPLAINTS WOULD BE ATTENDED TO THE NEXT DAY BY THE KING AND
VISITING LORDS. THE PEASANT DRAWS THE ROAD AND THE MANOR AROUND
IT.
AT THE POINT WHERE THE WIFE WAS TAKEN, THE PRIEST DREW A SKULL.
MEANWHILE, THE KING WAS RETURNING TO HIS CASTLE DOWN THE ROAD.
ON THIS SAME ROAD WAS ARRIVING THE LORD OF THE MANOR IN POZNAN
TO VISIT THE KING. HE APPROACHED WITH MUCH MUSIC AND FESTIVITY
IN ORDER TO MAKE A GOOD IMPRESSION. ON THE ROAD NEAR THE CASTLE
THE LORD NOTICED IN THE DARK A FORM MOVING ALONG. THINKING IT
WAS SOME PEASANT IN THE WAY, HE CALLS THE PEDESTRIAN A BUM AND
WANTS TO HIT HIM. JUST THEN, THE FORM, WHO WAS REALLY THE KING,
ORDERS THE LORD TO STOP AND IDENTIFIES HIMSELF.
THE NEXT DAY THE COMPLAINTS WERE BEING EXAMINED BY THE KING AND
LORDS AND THE COMPLAINT OF THE PEASANT CAME UP. THE KING EX-
PLAINED THE PICTURE BY SAYING THAT A LORD HAD KILLED THE WIFE OF
A PEASANT ON THE ROAD, INDICATED BY THE SKULL. EVERYONE WAS
SHOCKED BY THE ACTION. THE KING ASKED EACH LORD WHAT PUNISHMENT
SHOULD HAVE BEEN GIVEN FOR THE CRIME, AND WHEN HE CAME TO (THE)
GUILTY LORD, HE SAID THE PUNISHMENT SHOULD BE STARVATION. THE
KING THEN ANNOUNCED THAT THE LORD HAD COMMITTED (IT) HIMSELF, AND
THUS THE LORD WAS THROWN INTO THE DUNGEON BENEATH THE CASTLE TOWER
WITH ONLY SOME BREAD AND WATER, WHERE HE SOON DIED.
Submitter comment: MY GRANDFATHER REMEMBERS THIS TALE FROM HIS CHILDHOOD DAYS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate PROSE NARRATIVE -- Romantic Realistic BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 10-22-1967
LEGEND OF HOW DIXIE GOT ITS NAME
IN THE OLD, OLD SOUTH, THE FRENCH AT ONE TIME PRINTED AND DIS-
TRIBUTED MONEY THAT WAS REFERRED TO AS "DIX," WHICH WAS THE FRENCH
VERSION OF A TEN DOLLAR BILL. TO THE NORTHERNERS, THE SOUTH
BECAME FAMOUS FOR THIS MONEY. THUS, THE SOUTH BECAME KNOWN AS THE
LAND OF THE DIX, OR DIXIE LAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of quality Medium of exchange |
Date learned: 10-00-1968
THE WOMAN WITH THE EVIL-EYE
IN JANOIVUC, POLAND, FROM WHERE MY
GRANDFATHER COMES, HE TELLS OF A WOMAN WHO
HAD AN EVIL EYE. IT WAS KNOWN
THAT WHENEVER SHE WAS WITH SOMEONE, AND A FLOCK OF
GEESE WOULD COME BY, AND SHE WOULD COMMENT, "OH, WHAT A
NICE FLOCK IMMEDIATELY THE GEESE WOULD ALL DIE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Curse |
Date learned: 10-22-1967
A POLISH CURSE
(POLISH) NIECH CIE, DIABLI IVEZMA,
TRANSLATION: MAY THE DEVIL TAKE YOU
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A KIND OF A CURSE. MY FATHER KNOWS
THIS POPULAR CURSE FROM POLAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Curse |
Date learned: 11-17-1967
A WITCH SUPERSTITION
IN POLAND IT IS BELIEVED THAT IF A WITCH
LOOKS AT A COW, IT WILL IMMEDIATELY GO DRY.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A POPULAR BELIEF IN POLAND THAT MY
GRANDMOTHER REMEMBERS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Curse |
Date learned: 10-22-1967
SICK JOKE
WHAT'S GREEN AND YELLOW AND HAS COOKIE CRUMBS ON TOP?
A DEAD GIRL SCOUT IN THE GUTTER.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT HEARD THIS WHEN HE WAS IN GRADE SCHOOL IN DEARBORN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; DEARBORN
Keyword(s): COLOR
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 04-08-1965
POLISH PROVERB
EACH ONE KNOWS BEST WHERE HIS SHOE HURTS HIM.
(POLISH) KAZDY WIE NAJLEPIEJ, GAZIE GO TRZEWIK CISNIE.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS USED TO POINT OUT THAT NO ONE KNOWS ANOTHERS PROBLEMS AS
WELL AS THAT PERSON HIMSELF. I KNOW THIS FROM HOME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
Keyword(s): CLOTHING
James Callow Keyword(s): CLOTHING ; OBSERVATION ; TRANSLATION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
POLISH PROVERB
EACH MAN IS THE BLACKSMITH OF HIS OWN HAPPINESS.
(POLISH) CZTAEVIEK JEST KOWALEM SWEGO SZCZESCIA.
Submitter comment: MY GRANDMOTHER KNOWS THIS FROM POLAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
James Callow Keyword(s): OBSERVATION ; TRANSLATION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 11-21-1967
A POLISH PROVERB
CHOOSE A WIFE BY HER EARS, NOT HER EYES. (TRANSLATION)
Submitter comment: MY GRANDMOTHER KNOWS THIS FROM POLAND.
Data entry tech comment: POLISH TEXT GIVEN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
Keyword(s): HUMAN BODY
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: NEGATIVE ; ADVICE: POSITIVE ; MATRIMONY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Head, physiognomy, face BELIEF -- Marriage PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 11-27-1967
A PRECAUTION AGAINST LIGHTENING
IN POLAND, ON THE FARMS IT IS A PRACTICE TO PUT A WAGON WHEEL ON
THE ROOF OF A NEW HOUSE, AFTER ALL METAL WAS REMOVED FROM THE
WHEEL, SO THAT LIGHTENING WOULD NOT STRIKE THE HOUSE.
Submitter comment: MY GRANDMOTHER REMEMBERS THIS PRACTICE FROM POLAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Custom |
Date learned: 10-28-1967
BLESSING OF THE FLEET
IT IS CUSTOMARY IN MANY PARTS OF THE WORLD WHERE MEN MAKE THEIR
LIVING THROUGH SHIPS TO HAVE A BLESSING OF THE FLEET, FOR THE PAST
EIGHT YEARS, THIS CEREMONY HAS BEEN HELD IN DETROIT. IT IS HELD AT
THE DOSSIN GREAT LAKES MUSEUM, BELLE ISLE EVERY SPRING IN MARCH.
THE CEREMONY CONSISTS MAINLY OF AN INVOCATION TO GOD TO ASK FOR THE
SAFETY OF THE VESSELS AND THE MEN THAT SAIL THEM FOR THE COMING YEAR.
Data entry tech comment: PROGRAM IS ATTACHED TO ORIGINAL 5 BY 7 CARD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- March CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting |
Date learned: NOT ENTERED
POLISH MARRIAGE CUSTOM
"BEFORE LEAVING THE BRIDE'S HOME TO GET MARRIED, A MUSICAL GROUP
THE CEREMONY."
PLAYS A SONG AND ALSO AFTER THE BRIDE AND GROOM'S RETURN AFTER
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT WORKS WITH MY FATHER AT FORD MOTOR CO., DEARBORN, MICHIGAN
AND TOLD THIS POLISH MARRIAGE CUSTOM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN ; FORD MOTOR CO
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Band, orchestra play at bride's house |
Date learned: 12-01-1971
FOLKLORE OF OMENS
FIND A HAIRPIN, PICK IT UP AND YOU WILL MAKE A NEW FRIEND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: CA00001915