Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for 6447 returned 50 results.
CUSTOM
WHEN MY FATHER DIED MY BROTHERS AND I HAD OUR TIES CUT BY THE RABBI.
THIS IS THE ONLY CUSTOM CONNECTED WITH ANY OF THE CHILDREN--ONLY THE
SONS. I THINK IT IS SUPPOSED TO SYMBOLIZE THE BREAKING OF THE FATHER
AND SON RELATIONSHIP, OR A SEPARATION OF A FATHERS' DEATH FROM HIS
SON'S LIVES. AFTERWARDS, YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO KEEP WHAT'S LEFT OF YOUR
TIE AND WEAR IT PINNED INSIDE OF YOUR SHIRT ON THE LEFT SIDE FOR A
YEAR.
Submitter comment: THIS IS A JEWISH CUSTOM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; COLLECTORS HOME
James Callow Keyword(s): NECKTIES ; POSITION DIRECTION
Date learned: 02-00-1979
BELIEF
YOU'LL GET A PIMPLE ON YOUR TONGUE IF YOU LIE. MY MOTHER USED TO TELL
ME THIS, AND I BELIEVED HER.
Submitter comment: THIS IS A UKRANIAN BELIEF.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; COLLECTORS HOME
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
SUPERSTITION
OWLS ARE BAD LUCK. IF YOU SEE ONE, OR IF ONE FLIES OVER YOU, YOU'LL
GET BAD LUCK FOR A WEEK. IF YOU'RE WALKING, YOU'LL FALL. IF YOU'RE
WRITING, YOU'LL MAKE MISTAKE; IF YOU DRIVE CAR, YOU'LL MAKE ACCIDENT.
Submitter comment: HE LEARNED THIS SUPERSTITION FROM HIS FAMILY AND BELIEVES IN IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; COLLECTORS HOME
James Callow Keyword(s): PALESTINIAN INFORMANT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Week Day Hour BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
CUSTOM ; BELIEF
WHEN YOU GET A NEW HOUSE OR A NEW CAR, MONEY (CHANGE) IS COLLECTED
FROM FRIENDS AND PUT INTO AN UNUSED CORNER OF THE HOUSE OR UNDER A
SEAT IN THE CAR. IT SHOULD LIE UNDISTURBED FROM THEN ON. THIS
BRINGS GOOD LUCK AND SAFETY TO A HOUSE OR CAR.
Submitter comment:
HE LEARNED THIS CUSTOM FROM HIS EX-WIFE, WHO IS LEBANESE, AND HE HAS
FOLLOWED IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; COLLECTORS HOME
Date learned: 01-00-1979
CUSTOM ; BELIEF
WE USED TO TAKE AN EASTER EGG TO THE EASTER SERVICE, AND THE PRIEST
WOULD BLESS IT. LATER, AT HOME, EVERYONE EATS A PART OF THE EGG.
DOING THIS BRINGS HEALTH TO EVERYONE.
Submitter comment:
COMES FROM SLAVIC CHURCH TRADITION (VIA MOTHER) AND IS FOLLOWED IN
HIS HOME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; COLLECTORS HOME
James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC AND CONTAGIOUS MAGIC
Date learned: 01-00-1979
CUSTOM ; BELIEF
ON THE NIGHT BEFORE EASTER, YOU TAKE MONEY (CHANGE) AND PUT IT INTO A
DISH OF WATER. NEXT MORNING, EVERYBODY WASHES THEIR HANDS IN IT.
DOING THIS BRINGS WEALTH TO THE HOUSEHOLD.
Submitter comment:
TRADITION WAS FOLLOWED IN HIS FAMILY. IT COMES FROM THE SLAVIC CHURCH
TRADITION AND WAS INTRODUCED BY HIS MOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; COLLECTORS HOME
James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC AND CONTAGIOUS MAGIC
| Subject headings: | 663 Holy Saturday Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Home BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 01-00-1979
CUSTOM ; BELIEF
OUR FAMILY NEVER LEFT DISHES IN THE SINK AT NIGHT BECAUSE IF THEY DID
MOTHER MARY OF CHRIST WOULD HAVE TO DO THEM, AND IT WOULD PLACE A
BURDEN ON HER.
Submitter comment:
THIS COMES FROM THE SLAVIC CHRUCH TRADITION (VIA MOTHER) AND IS
FOLLOWED IN INFORMANT'S HOME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; COLLECTORS HOME
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Daily Life BELIEF -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Measure of time Working |
Date learned: 01-00-1979
FATIGUE
WHEN YOU ARE EXTREMELY TIRED YOU SHOULD SLEEP WITH YOUR
HEAD POINTING NORTH.
THAT WAY THE MAGNETIC RAYS OF THE EARTH WILL FLOW INTO YOUR
BLOODSTREAM AND YOU WILL BE REVITALIZED IN JUST A FEW HOURS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; COLLECTORS HOME
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: 02-13-1972
WORMS
A TALL GLASS OF WATER IS PLACED IN FRONT OF THE PERSON TO BE CURED.
THEN A PIECE OF REGULAR SEWING THREAD IS USED TO MEASURE THE PERSON
FROM HEAD TO TOE THREE TIMES.
THEN THE PERSON SUSPENDS HIS HANDS IN THE SHAPE OF A CROSS
AND IS MEASURED FROM FINGERTIP TO FINGERTIP WITH THE SAME THREAD
THREE TIMES.
THEN THE LENGTH OF THREAD IS FOLDED IN HALF,
THEN FOLDED ONCE AGAIN IN HALF AND SO ON
UNTIL THE THREAD'S FORM HAS A LENGTH OF ABOUT 6 INCHES.
THE THREAD IS THEN HELD LENGTHWISE ABOVE THE GLASS OF WATER
AND SLOWLY CUT IN LITTLE PIECES
ABOUT AN INCH LONG.
AS THE THREAD FALLS INTO WATER SOME THREAD WILL STAY AT TOP
OR REST IN THE MIDDLE OR FALL TO THE BOTTOM.
DEPENDING ON WHERE THE THREAD RESTS, THE PERSON
PERFORMING THE CURE CAN TELL WHERE THE WORMS ARE IN THE BODY.
THIS CEREMONY IS CARRIED OUT FOR 3 DAYS IN A ROW.
AND ON THE THIRD DAY THE PERSON IS CURED
AND FEELING MUCH BETTER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; COLLECTORS HOME
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 09-21-1969
HEADACHE
ONE TABLESPOON OF HONEY CURES A MIGRAINE HEADACHE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; COLLECTORS HOME
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Animal BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 10-23-1968
BELIEF
TO KILL A WITCH- CLOSE THE BOOK, RING THE BELL, AND BLOW
OUT THE CANDLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; COLLECTORS HOME
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Witch Shaman |
Date learned: 10-23-1968
LENTEN CUSTOM
IT IS A COMMON CUSTOM AMONG CHRISTIANS DURING THE LENTEN SEASON
TO GIVE-UP OR ABSTAIN FROM SOMETHING THEY REALLY ENJOY.
CIGARETTES, CANDY, ETC.
Where learned: COLLECTORS HOME
Keyword(s): SELF-SACRIFICE
| Subject headings: | 663 Lent |
Date learned: 03-07-1968
TRAVELING CUSTOM
WHEN SOMEONE IS GOING ON A JOURNEY (WHETHER IT BE LONG OR SHORT ),
THE OLDEST WOMAN IN THE FAMILY GIVES THE TRAVELER A WOODEN STICK.
THE STICK IS SUPPOSED TO BE A SPECIAL, SHORT TWIG, THAT HAS BEEN
DRIED AND AGED IN A SPECIAL WAY. THE TWIG IS GIVEN TO WARD OFF
BURGLARY AND ILLNESS DURING THE JOURNEY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD ; COLLECTORS HOME
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 10-28-1970
GIFT_GIVING CUSTOM
IF SOMEONE IS GIVEN A KNIFE OF SCISSORS OR OTHER SHARP IMPLEMENT
YOU MUST GIVE IT WITH A PENNY TO CUT THE BAD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM ; COLLECTORS HOME
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 11-22-1970
DESTINY
IF A PERSON GIVES AWAY A STRAIGHT PIN, HE SHOULD ALWAYS ASK FOR A
PENNY IN RETURN OR ELSE HE AND THE OTHER PERSON ARE DESTINED TO
BECOME ENEMIES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; COLLECTORS HOME
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 03-10-1970
NOSE ITCH
IF YOUR NOSE ITCHES, YOU ARE GOING TO KISS A FOOL.
Data entry tech comment: THERE ARE OTHER SIMILAR REFERENCES IN THIS SECTION OF ARCHIVE.
Where learned: COLLECTORS HOME
| Subject headings: | Spirit / Mind / Body BELIEF -- Body part Senses Nose |
Date learned: 10-23-1970
ENGLISH DRINK
SHANDY - GAFF - MADE OF LEMONADE AND BEER.
Submitter comment: THIS WAS A SPECIAL DRINK FOR LADIES IN ENGLAND.
Where learned: COLLECTORS HOME
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Kind of Drink and Its Preparation Food Drink -- Non-alcoholic fruit beverage Citrus Food Drink -- Alcoholic beverage Fermented |
Date learned: 04-09-1971
COUGH
A GOOD REMEDY FOR A COUGH IS TO MIX A LITTLE WHISKEY WITH
HONEY AND TAKE AS NEEDED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS ; COLLECTORS HOME
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: 01-30-1971
PIMPLES
IF YOU GO TO THE BATHROOM WITH FOOD IN YOUR MOUTH
YOU WILL GET PIMPLES ON YOUR TONGUE.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS TOLD TO THE INFORMANT BY HIS PARENTS
WHEN HE WAS NINE YEARS OLD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; COLLECTORS HOME ; HARPER WOODS
Keyword(s): CAUSE ; FUNCTION ; URINATION, DEFECATION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
TO PREVENT A SORE THROAT, PUT 3 OR 4 STRIPS OF RAW BACON AROUND YOUR
NECK; THEN PUT A PIECE OF RED FLANNEL OR A BLACK STOCKING
ON TOP OF IT.
Data entry tech comment: THERE ARE 3 OTHER SIMILAR REFERENCES IN THIS SECTION OF THE ARCHIVE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; COLLECTORS HOME
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 03-15-1970