Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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GHOST IN GUAJATACA
IT IS BELIEVED THAT THE GHOST OF A WOMAN KILLED IN A CAR ACCIDENT
STILL ROAMS ASKING FOR RIDES AND DISAPPEARING AFTERWARDS. SHE IS
DRESSED IN WHITE. SEVERAL PEOPLE CLAIM TO HAVE SEEN HER.
Submitter comment:
SIMILAR TALES LIKE THIS ONE HAVE BEEN TOLD IN DIFFERENT TOWNS OF THE
ISLAND.
Where learned: PUERTO RICO ; GUAJATACA
James Callow Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
PREDICTION
IF YOU BATHE IN THE FIRST RAIN OF MAY YOU WILL REMAIN YOUNG.
Where learned: PUERTO RICO
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- May BELIEF -- P456 BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
WEATHER BELIEF
IF THE AVOCADO TREE BLOOMS LATE THERE WILL BE STORM.
Where learned: PUERTO RICO
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Weather sign or control BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
CAUSE OF PREGNANCY
IF A WOMAN IS PREGNANT IT IS SAID THAT SHE SWALLOWED AN AVOCADO PIT..
Where learned: PUERTO RICO
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
BAQUINE
WHEN A CHILD DIES HE IS DRESSED IN WHITE AND ADORNED WITH FLOWERS.
THEN IN THE WAKE HE IS SUNG LULLABIES AND OTHER COMFORTING SONGS.
SOME OF THESE ARE QUITE SCARY AND WILL DEAL WITH THE DEVIL OR A
SPECIAL GNOME WHO STEALS CHILDREN.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS DONE ONLY BY THE PEASANTS IN THE CENTER OF THE ISLAND.
BAQUINE IS AN INDIAN WORD FOR THIS KIND OF CEREMONY
Where learned: PUERTO RICO
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Cradle song Lullaby CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Color |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
SOCIAL DEBUT
WHEN A GIRL IS FIFTEEN YEARS OLD SHE IS PRESENTED TO THE SOCIETY AS
A CELEBRATION FOR ATTAINING HER MATURITY. IT IS ACCOMPANIED WITH A
BIG DANCE AFTERWARDS.
Where learned: PUERTO RICO
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Dance CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Maturity BELIEF -- Number P686.1.15 |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
AMULET AGAINST EVIL EYE.
A FIGURE IS CARVED IN BLACK ROCK AND USED ON NECKLACE AND BRACELETS
TO GUARD OFF EVIL SPIRITS. IT IS USED VERY OFTEN ON BABIES.
Where learned: PUERTO RICO
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Body part Senses |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
MAKE THE SEA ANGRY
IF YOU YELL AT THE OCEAN, MARIA LA O TU MADRE ES PUTA Y LA MIA NO,
WHICH MEANS, MARIA O YOUR MOTHER IS A WHORE BUT MINE IS NOT, YOU WILL
DOUBT CAUSE THE FURY OF THE SEA.
Where learned: PUERTO RICO
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Still water Large body. SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
GENTLEMAN'S DUTY
WHEN A COUPLE IS WALKING ON A SIDEWALK THE MAN SHOULD BE ON THE
OUTSIDE. IF THE WOMAN IS ON THE OUTSIDE THE MAN IS SELLING HER TO
THE FIRST MAN AROUND.
Where learned: PUERTO RICO
James Callow Keyword(s): PROSTITUTION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
PATRON SAINT FESTIVAL
IN EVERY TOWN THERE IS A WEEK OF CELEBRATION, PARTYING, PARADES,
AND ENTERTAINMENT IN CONMEMORATION TO THE TOWNS SAINT.
Where learned: PUERTO RICO
Date learned: 00-00-1979
COCK FIGHTS
TO HAVE COCK FIGHTS IS A VERY COMMON ENTERTAINMENT THAT COMES FROM A
FEW CENTURIES BACK. PEOPLE BET ON THEIR FAVORITE ROOSTER.
Where learned: PUERTO RICO
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
GUESSING GAME
A GROUP OF PERSONS HAVE TO GUESS WHAT THE LEADER IS THINKING ABOUT.
THEY GET CLUES WHEN HE TELLS THEM WITH WHICH LETTER IT STARTS AND
WITH WHICH LETTER IT FINISHES. IN SPANISH THE QUESTIONS ASKED RHYME.
FOR EXAMPLE VEO VEO, QUE VEZ; UNA COSITA, CON QUE LETRECITA; CON LA
LETRECITA----------.
Where learned: PUERTO RICO
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Guessing |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST'S NIGHT.
ON THE EVE OF SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST'S DAY EVERYBODY GOES TO THE
BEACHES TO SPEND THE NIGHT THERE. THERE ARE CERTAIN RITUALS DONE ON
THAT NIGHT THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO BRING GOOD LUCK THE FOLLOWING YEAR.
FOR EXAMPLE: AT MIDNIGHT YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO THROW YOURSELF THREE
TIMES BACKWARDS IN THE SEA FOR GOOD HEALTH. A YOUNG GIRL SHOULD PUT
TWO NEEDLES IN A GLASS OF WATER,SYMBOLIZING HERSELF AND HER BOYFRIEND
IF THE NEXT DAY THE NEEDLES ARE TOGETHER SHE WILL MARRY THAT MAN.
ALSO SHE SHOULD PUT THREE BEANS UNDER HER PILLOW THAT NIGHT. ONE
SHOULD HAVE THE SKIN ON WHICH MEANS SHE WILL MARRY A RICH MAN. THE
SECOND ONE SHOULD BE HALF PEELED SIMBOLIZING MIDDLE CLASS WEALTH AND
THE THIRD ONE SHOULD BE COMPLETELY PEELED MEANING POVERTY. IN THE
MORNING SHE SHOULD PUT HER HAND UNDER THE PILLOW WITHOUT LOOKING,
AND TAKE ONE BEAN. THIS WILL DETERMINE HER ECONOMICAL STATUS IN HER
MARRIAGE. PUT A GLASS OF WATER UNDER YOUR BED TO KEEP THE EVIL SPIRIT
AWAY THE REST OF THE YEAR.
Where learned: PUERTO RICO
Date learned: 00-00-1979
BLESSING HOMES
IT IS A CUSTOM THAT WHEN A NEW HOUSE IS BUILT AS SOON AS THE POEPLE
MOVE IN, TO CELEBRATE A MASS WHERE THE PRIEST SPRINKLES HOLY WATER
IN EVERY ROOM OF THE HOUSE. THIS IS DONE TO PREVENT EVIL SPIRITS FROM
ENTERING.
Where learned: PUERTO RICO
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Home BELIEF -- Devil Demon |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
TOE BELIEF
IT IS SAID THAT IF A PERSON HAS THE SECOND TOE LONGER THAN THE BIG
ONE HE OR SHE WILL HAVE A DOMINANT PERSONALITY
Where learned: PUERTO RICO
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
UNKNOWN
A WOMAN THAT ARGUES A LOT WILL NEVER MARRY. THIS IS TOLD SO TO SCARE
THE ARGUING YOUNG GIRLS.
Where learned: PUERTO RICO
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
UNKNOWN
IF YOU DIE HAVING A PROBLEM OR CONFLICT WITH ANOTHER PERSON YOU WILL
HAVE TO RESOLVE IT BEFORE YOU CAN REST IN PEACE.
Where learned: PUERTO RICO
James Callow Keyword(s): HEAVEN- HELL
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
UNKNOWN
IF YOU KIGHT THREE CIGARETTES WITH ONE MATCH THE THIRD PERSON WILL
DIE.
Where learned: PUERTO RICO
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
VERSE OF THE PLENA
"CUANDO LAS MUJERES QUIEREN A LOS HOMBRES, PRENDEN CUATRO VELAS Y SE
LAS PONEN POR LOS RINCONES." WHICH MEANS WHEN THE WOMEN WANT A MAN
THEY LIGHT FOUR CANDLES AND PUT THEM IN THE CORNERS.
Submitter comment:
THE PLENA IS A TYPICAL FOLKLORIC DANCE OF PUERTO RICO. THE LIGHTING
OF FOUR CANDLES IN FOR CORNERS SIMBOLIZES A RITUAL OF TAKING OVER THE
ROOM.
Where learned: PUERTO RICO
| Subject headings: | 686 Fourths / Quarters BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
PREDICTION OF LOVE
IF YOU LIGHT A CIGARETTE SIDEWAYS YOU'RE IN LOVE.
Where learned: PUERTO RICO
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 00-00-1979