Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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FOOD TABOO
IF A PERSON WERE PREGNANT THEN SHE WASN'T SUPPOSED TO EAT MUSTARD GREENS OR DRINK BUTTERMILK.
Submitter comment:
WHEN I ASKED INFORMANT WHY THIS IS THE CASE--SHE REPLIED BECAUSE SHE THOUGHT MUSTARD GREENS AND BUTTERMILK CAUSE GAS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; informant's home
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. |
Date learned: 01-00-1971
NEW YEAR'S CUSTOM
AT NEW YEAR'S, LITHUANIAN AMERICANS HAVE THE CUSTOM OF
COVERING THEIR ENTIRE TABLE WITH FOOD, SO THAT NOT ONE SPOT OF
THE TABLE CLOTH IS SHOWING.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS SUPPOSED TO ENSURE THAT THEY WILL HAVE ENOUGH FOOD
FOR THE ENTIRE YEAR TO COME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; informant's home
Date learned: 01-30-1971
EASTER CUSTOM
ON EASTER MONDAY IN CZECHOSLOVAKIA, THE BOYS VISIT THE GIRLS IN THEIR
NEIGHBORHOOD. THEY CARRY A BUCKET OF WATER AND WET THE GIRLS' PALMS.
THEY THEN EXCHANGE THE EASTER GREETING: "CHRIST HAS RISEN" AND
"INDEED HE HAS." NEXT THE GIRLS RUN AWAY BECAUSE THE BOYS TRY TO
SPILL WATER ON THEIR FACE. THE BOYS CHASE THE GIRLS ALL DAY. ON
EASTER TUESDAY, THE GIRLS DO THE SAME TO THE BOYS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; informant's home
Keyword(s): DYNGUS DAY ; REVENGE ; WATER
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus |
Date learned: 02-25-1970
NEW YEAR
IF YOU OWE SOMEONE MONEY ONE YEAR AND YOU CARRY THE DEBT
OVER TO THE NEW YEAR, YOU WILL EXPERIENCE SOME TYPE OF FINANCIAL
DIFFICULTIES THE REST OF THE NEW YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WESTLAND ; informant's home
Date learned: 02-08-1970
PREGNANCY SUPERSTITION
WHEN A WOMAN IS PREGNANT AND SEES SOMETHING HORRIBLE SHE SLAPS
HER HAND ON ANY PART OF THE BODY AND IT WILL LEAVE A BIRTHMARK
OF THE THING SHE SAW.
Data entry tech comment:
There are three others similar to this in archive.
Informant and collector share same surname.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; informant's home
Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Specific distinguishing characteristic Dimple, wart, mole, scar, freckle, birthmark, strawberry mark, bruise, spot (on any part of body) BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 11-22-1969
CHRISTMAS DAY IN POLAND
CHRISTMAS DAY IN POLAND FINDS THE TABLES LADEN WITH FOOD. THEIR
FAVORITE KIELBASA, HAM AND BEEF CAN BE SEEN. ALSO, THE BEST IN
POLISH WINES, THEIR FAVORITE BAKED GOODS ARE SHARED WITH FAMILY
AND FRIENDS. NEIGHBORS VISIT ONE ANOTHER AND SING KOLENDY OUTSIDE
THEIR DOORS, A CUSTOM EVERYONE THOROUGHLY ENJOYS--SO THE DAY GOES--A HAPPY TIME FOR ALL.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share same surname.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; informant's home ; St. Clair Shores ; 25940 MADISON CT., S.
| Subject headings: | 122 Christmas CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Songs, caroling |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR.
WEATHER BELIEF
THUNDER IS CAUSED WHEN GOD IS MOVING FURNITURE IN THE SKY.
Where learned: informant's home
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Creator BELIEF -- Lightning Thunder BELIEF -- Weather sign or control P890.7 |
Date learned: 02-02-1970
OPAL SUPERSTITION
AN OPAL AS A GIFT IS BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
TOLD AT HER (ROMA HAYES) HOME.
Where learned: informant's home
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.1 |
Date learned: 02-15-1970
SALT
AN IRISH SUPERSTITION: WHEN EATING AT A TABLE AND SOMEONE ASKS FOR THE SALT, YOU MUST FIRST SET IT DOWN NEXT TO THE PERSON AND LET HIM PICK IT UP. IF YOU SHOULD PASS IT TO HIM, IT IS SAID THAT THE TWO WILL GET INTO A FIGHT.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share the same surname.
Where learned: informant's home
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: NEGATIVE ; ADVICE: POSITIVE ; ADVICE: POSITIVE
Date learned: 10-05-1972
GARLIC BELIEF
GARLIC BUILDS UP THE BLOOD.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share the same surname.
Where learned: informant's home
James Callow Keyword(s): PLANT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 09-20-1969
PLANT LORE
IF YOU STEAL A ROSE THAT HAS THREE LEAVES GROWING ON ONE STEM BELOW THE FLOWER, YOU CAN PLANT IT AND IT WILL GROW.
Submitter comment:
ROSE CUTTINGS ARE HARD TO TRANSPLANT.
Where learned: informant's home
| Subject headings: | 686 686.1 BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 10-11-1970
A NATURAL TRANSITION
AT ABOUT TEN YEARS, I BEGAN A COLLECTION OF THE WHITE BALLS OF FUZZ WHICH COME OFF THE TREES IN OUR OLD NEIGHBORHOOD. WHEN MY FRIEND HEARD OF THE COLLECTION, HE TOLD ME TO RID MYSELF OF IT BEFORE THE LITTLE BALLS EVOLVED INTO HUGE SPIDERS. I RUSHED HOME AS QUICKLY AS POSIBLE AND SCATTERED THEM FAR FROM MY HOUSE.
Submitter comment:
Informant learned this in childhood.
Where learned: informant's home
James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMAL ; ARACHNID
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Insect BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
WEATHER BELIEF
LIGHTNING NEVER STRIKES TWICE IN THE SAME PLACE.
Where learned: informant's home
| Subject headings: | 686 686.1.2 BELIEF -- Lightning Thunder BELIEF -- Weather sign or control P890.7 |
Date learned: 10-03-1968
CHRISTMAS
DURING THE CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER STRAW IS PUT UNDER THE TABLE
CLOTH FOR HEALTH AND PROSPERITY. THIS IS ANOTHER POLISH CUSTOM.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant is collector's mother.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; informant's home
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Christmas CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Straw |
Date learned: 03-19-1970
Food - Fixed Date
EAT ANYTHING THAT ROOTS (DIGS THEIR WAY INTO THE GROUND) LIKE
PIGS, ON NEW YEAR'S EVE, OR AS THE FIRST MEAL OF THE NEW YEAR.
NEVER EAT ANYTHING THAT SWIMS OR FLIES OR YOUR MONEY WILL DO THE
SAME. EAT NO FOWL OF ANY KIND.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant is grandmother of collector.
Where learned: informant's home
Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC
Date learned: 11-10-1970
Christmas Day in Poland
Christmas Day in Poland finds the tables laden with food. Their favorite kielbasa, ham, beef can be seen. Also, the best in Polish wines, their favorite baked goods are shared with family and friends, Neighbors visit one another and sing kolendy outside their doors, a custom everyone thoroughly enjoys--so the day goes--a happy time for all.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; informant's home ; St. Clair Shores
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F122 |
CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
AT CHRISTMAS TIME, THE CHURCH ORGANIST OF ST. PETER & PAUL
SELLS A SMALL WAFER CALLED OPLATIKA. THEY ARE SQUARE
AND TASTE LIKE A COMMUNION TYPE HOST. AFTER MIDNIGHT MASS,
THE FAMILIES HAVE A DINNER AT WHICH EVERYONE IN THE FAMILY
BREAKS OFF A PIECE AND EATS IT.
Submitter comment:
[St. Peter & Paul is a] Roman Catholic [church.]
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; informant's home
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM ; ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Oplatki CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Church |
Date learned: 11-02-1969
DONALD DUCK
DONALD DUCK WAS A ONE LEGGED, ONE LEGGED, ONE LEGGED DUCK.
DONALD DUCK WAS A TWO LEGGED, TWO LEGGED, TWO LEGGED DUCK.
DONALD DUCK WAS A THREE LEGGED,
THREE LEGGED, THREE LEGGED DUCK.
DONALD DUCK WAS A FOUR LEGGED, FOUR LEGGED, FOUR LEGGED DUCK.
Submitter comment:
Informant heard this on the school playground.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector are the same person.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; informant's home
Keyword(s): ACTION RHYME ; CHARACTER ; PLAIN-JUMP
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR.
Rope-Jumping Rhyme
CINDERELLA DRESSED IN GREEN
WENT UPSTAIRS TO EAT ICE-CREAM.
CINDERELLA DRESSED IN LACE.
WENT UPSTAIRS TO POWDER HER FACE.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share the same surname and place of residence.
Where learned: informant's home
Keyword(s): CHARACTER ; PLAIN-JUMP
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 11-12-1968
SAILOR AND THE SEA
A SAILOR WENT TO SEA SEA SEA
TO SEE WHAT HE COULD SEE SEE SEE.
BUT ALL THAT HE COULD SEE SEE SEE
WAS THE BOTTOM OF THE DEEP BLUE SEA SEA SEA.
Submitter comment:
(NEIGHBORHOOD ROPE SKIPPING RHYME)
Where learned: informant's home
Keyword(s): CHARACTER ; PLAIN JUMP
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse |
Date learned: 08-05-1964