Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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A CUSTOM PERFORMED AT WEDDINGS IN NAPLES, ITALY, IS
PERFORMED AT THE RECEPTION. THE BEST MAN TAKES THE
GROOM'S TIE AND CUTS IT INTO MANY TINY PIECES. HE THEN SELLS
THE PIECES TO THE GUESTS AT THE WEDDING. HE THEN GIVES ALL
THE MONEY TO THE GROOM.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT SAYS THAT THIS CUSTOM HELPS THE NEWLYWEDS SET
UP HOUSEKEEPING. SHE ALSO SAID THAT MONEY IS USUALLY GIVEN
RATHER THAN A MATERIAL GIFT. IF THE BRIDE OR GROOM'S FAMILY
ARE WELL TO DO, THEY MAY EVEN GIFT THE COUPLE WITH A FLAT
OR AN APARTMENT.
Keyword(s): MONEY ; WEDDING CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Date learned: 00001980S
CUSTOM
IT IS AN ITALIAN CUSTOM THAT MAN AND WOMAN BECOME ENGAGED AFTER
THE THIRD DATE. THE ENGAGEMENT THEN LASTS FOR 2 YEARS.
| Subject headings: | 686 Seconds / Twice / Two CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Dating, courtship mechanics CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Engagement |
Date learned: 11-04-1968
CUSTOM
WHEN AN ITALIAN GIRL DATES, HER MOTHER ALWAYS GOES ALONG AS
A CHAPERONE.
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Dating, courtship mechanics |
Date learned: 11-04-1968
CUSTOM
BEFORE AN ITALIAN MALE IS MARRIED, HIS FATHER TAKES HIM TO A PROSTI-
TUTE. AFTER THIS EXPERIENCE, THE UNMARRIED MALE IS CIRCUMCISED.
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Date learned: 11-04-1968
CUSTOM
IN NAPLES, ITALY, THE PEOPLE CELEBRATE A HOLIDAY CALLED GRAVE YARD
DAY , WHICH OCCURS IN THE SPRING OF EVERY YEAR. ON THIS DAY THE
PEOPLE GO TO VISIT THE GRAVES OF DEAD RELATIVES.
James Callow Keyword(s): GRAVEYARD
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting |
Date learned: 11-04-1968
IF SOMEONE HAS MORE THAN I DO, ITS ALRIGHT FOR ME TO STEAL FROM HIM.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE THIEVE OF NAPLES, AND IS ACTUALLY
PRACTICED.
James Callow comment: THIEF THIEVES
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Common law BELIEF -- Common law |
Date learned: 11-04-1968
A CURE FOR BOILS
MY GRANDFATHER, FRANK PIAZZA, HAD A SMALL SISTER WHO HAD A VERY
LARGE BOIL ON HER CHEEK OF HER FACE WHEN SHE WAS TWO YEARS OLD. HER
PARENTS TOOK HER TO DOCTORS AND THE RESULTS WERE ALWAYS THE SAME, "WE
COULD OPERATE BUT THERE WOULD BE A LARGE VISIBLE SCAR."
MY GRANDFATHER'S PARENTS THOUGHT IT OVER, AND REMEMBERED A "BOIL
CURE" FROM THEIR OWN PARENTS.
THE CURE WAS TO ALWAYS KEEP GOOSE FAT ON THE BOIL, AND EVENTUALLY IT
WILL DISAPPEAR.
THE PARENTS DID THIS TO THEIR LITTLE GIRL, AND THE BOIL FINALLY WENT
AWAY.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A PIAZZA FAMILY CURE THAT HAS BEEN IN THE PIAZZA FAMILY FOR
MANY, MANY YEARS. THIS CURE HAS BEEN PUT TO USE THREE TIMES IN THAT
FAMILY, AND EACH TIME IT HAS WORKED.
Where learned: BUFFALO ; ITALY ; NEW YORK
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Animal BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 11-00-1973
IN LATIN COUNTRIES IT IS CUSTOMARY FOR A MAN TO SERENADE
THE WOMAN HE LOVES. IN ANGONE, A TOWN IN THE REGION OF
MOLISE, ITALY, A MAN WILL GATHER SOME OF HIS FRIENDS AND/OR
HIRE SOME MUSICIANS AND SERENADE HIS FIANCE THE NIGHT
BEFORE THE WEDDING. THIS TAKES PLACE AT APPROXIMATELY
9:00 P.M. WHEN THE MEN COME TO SERENADE, THEY BRING A
LADDER,WHEN THEY ARE FINISHED SINGING, THE PARENTS OF
THE BRIDE INVITE THE GROOM AND HIS PARTY TO COME IN FOR REFRESHMENTS. THEY MUST THEN CLIMB THE LADDER IN TO THE
GIRLS BEDROOM. THIS IS A CUSTOM OF WELCOMING THE GROOM TO
THE FAMILY. IN METROPOLITAN AREAS WHERE THE BRIDE MAY LIVE
IN A HIGH RISE APARTMENT, SOME GROOMS HAVE BORROWED FIRE
TRUCKS WITH LADDERS TO CLIMB INTO THE GIRL'S ROOM.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT LEARNED OF THIS CUSTOM WHEN VISITING ITALY.
Where learned: ITALY ; AGNONE ; MOLISE
Keyword(s): SERENADING ; SINGING ; WEDDING CUSTOMS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Serenade Charivari CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Date learned: 00001980S
If you were doing a year's remote duty or a year's combat duty
your last ninety-nine days you were dubbed a double digit midget
on base because of the envy everyone had of you since your time
was nearly up. You made a short calendar where at the end of every
work day you would color in the appropriate number of that day. When
you finally got to day one, your tour was over and the next day
you were returning back to the states.
Where learned: ITALY ; SICILY ; Comiso Air Station
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535 |
A LIGHT IN ST. MARK'S SQUARE
IF A GIRL LIGHT(S) A CIGARETTE IN ST. MARK'S SQUARE IN
VENICE , ITALY, IT MEANS SHE IS LOOKING FOR A MAN
TO SPEND THE NIGHT WITH.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS AS A TOURIST VISITING ITALY.
Where learned: ITALY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Date learned: 05-19-1965
IN ITALY THE FATHER PICKED THE HUSBANDS FOR HIS
DAUGHTERS WHO HAVE TO MARRY IN THEIR OWN CHURCH
OR NOT AT ALL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ITALY ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Parental arrangement of marriage |
Date learned: 07-00-1964
THE WEDDING RING IS CUSTOMARILY WORN ON THE THIRD
FINGER OF THE LEFT HAND IN ITALY. THE ENGAGEMENT
RING IS GENERALLY NOT A DIAMOND, BUT SOME OTHER
PRECIOUS STONE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ITALY ; MARYGROVE COLLEGE ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Worn on left hand |
Date learned: 00001968 FALL
IN ITALY AFTER THE WEDDING PARTY, WHEN THE COUPLE
HAVE LEFT FOR THEIR NEW HOME, THE BEST MAN GATHERS
HIS FRIENDS AND THEY GO OVER AND SERENADE THE WEDDING
COUPLE. IF THE BRIDE AND GROOM DO NOT GET UP AND
GIVE THEM A DRINK, THE GROUP WOULD START PLAYING
TRICKS.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT WAS ALWAYS TOO YOUNG TO PARTAKE IN THIS
ACTIVITY, BUT SAW IT DONE OFTEN AS A CHILD. SHE
THOUGHT IT WAS A LOT OF FUN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ITALY ; ALLEN PARK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage F545.1341 |
Date learned: 02-06-1972 ; CHILDHOOD
NEW YEAR'S EVE CUSTOM
AT MIDNIGHT ON NEW YEAR'S EVE IN NAPLES, THE PEOPLE DISCARD OLD
BELONGINGS BY THROWING THEM OUT OF WINDOWS AND DOORWAYS ON TO THE
STREET. THESE BELONGINGS CONSIST OF ANYTHING FROM A CORK TO A
DINING ROOM TABLE.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector are the same person.
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F123 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 |
Date learned: 11-04-1968
ITALIAN
IT'S BAD LUCK TO PUT A BABY'S SHOES ON THE TABLE.
Submitter comment: LEARNED AS A YOUNG WOMAN LIVING IN ITALY.
Where learned: ITALY ; NEW YORK ; YONKERS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bad luck Furniture (bed, table, chair, etc.) BELIEF -- Bad luck Clothing (dress, hat, shoes, suit, etc.) |
Date learned: 12-27-1963
IF A PERSON KILLS A CAT FOR ANY REASON, NINE GENERATIONS
OF HIS FAMILY WILL HAVE BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS TOLD TO THE INFORMANT BY HER SISTER-IN-LAW
WHO WAS BORN IN ITALY AND PROBABLY RECEIVING SUCH
A WARNING FROM HER MOTHER WHEN SHE WAS A YOUNGSTER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ITALY ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Ninths / Nine BELIEF -- Bad luck Animals |
Date learned: 04-11-1965
FATE
A BEAUTIFUL WOMAN BRINGS GOOD FORTUNE; AN OLD WOMAN
WILL BRING YOU BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS BELIEVED BY THE POOR PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN SMALL
TOWNS IN ITALY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ITALY ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Good luck P881.2 BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.2 |
Date learned: 12-01-1967
IT WAS SAID IN ITALY THAT YOU COULD GET RID OF WARTS IN THE
FOLLOWING WAY:
CUT A POTATO IN HALF. RUB THE WART WITH A HALF OF THE POTATO.
NEXT, BURY THE POTATO. WHEN THE POTATO DECAYS, THE WART WILL
DISAPPEAR.
Submitter comment:
GUIDO HAD A WART ON HIS HAND AND THIS WAS ONE OF THE FOLK CURES
HIS MOTHER MADE HIM TRY TO GET RID OF IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ITALY ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): PLUGGING TRANSFER
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 10-12-1971
ITALIAN SUPERSTITION
IN ITALY IT IS BELIEVED THAT IF A YOUNG GIRL GOES OUT ON
A DATE WITHOUT A CHAPERONE, SHE IS NO LONGER A VIRGIN,
AND IS NOT ELIGIBLE TO MARRY A MAN OF POSITION.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LEARNED THIS WHEN SHE LIVED IN ITALY WHILE
HER FATHER, AN ARMY OFFICER, WAS STATIONED THERE.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN ; ITALY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Marriage Dating, courtship mechanics |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
ITALIAN SUPERSTITION
DON'T THROW MONEY ON A BED OR YOU'LL LOSE IT.
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM HER MOTHER WHO ONCE LIVED IN ITALY.
Where learned: ITALY ; NEW YORK ; YONKERS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Daily Life BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth |