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CHIVARI

ON CHRISTMAS EVE, A GROUP OF CHILDREN WOULD WALK FROM ONE FARM TO THE
OTHER AND COLLECT FOOD. THIS FOOD WAS LATER GIVEN TO THE POOR.

Submitter comment: MR. OULETTE AND HIS CHILDHOOD FRIENDS FOLLOWED THIS TRADITIONAL
PRACTICE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE PARK ; COLLECTORS HOME

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Gifts, gift giving at Christmas

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Weather

IF IT RAINS, THE DEAD ARE HAPPY.

Where learned: CHILDHOOD ; HOME

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew
BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial

Date learned: CHILDHOOD

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EASTER MONDAY

THE DAY AFTER EASTER WAS CALLED "DYNGUS DAY" OR "SWITCHING DAY."
THE MONDAY AFTER EASTER THE BOYS WOULD SWITCH THE GIRLS OR IN OTHER
WORDS THEY WOULD HIT THEM ON THE LEGS WITH A SWITCH OR A PIECE OF
STICK. IF THE BOY CAUGHT YOU AND SWITCHED YOU, YOU HAD TO GIVE HIM
SOME CANDY OR AN APPLE OR HERE IN AMERICA SOME MONEY. THE NEXT
DAY, TUESDAY, IT WAS THE GIRL'S TURN TO SWITCH THE BOYS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; informant's home

Keyword(s): DYNGUS DAY ; EASTER GIFTS ; FOOD CUSTOM ; HEALTH ; REVENGE ; RITUAL WHIPPING

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Tuesday Revenge Day

Date learned: 03-11-1970

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SPRING CUSTOM

THE TRADITIONAL ARMENIAN EASTER EGGS ARE A BROWNISH-RED COLOR. THIS
IS DONE BY BOILING THE EGGS WITH ONION PEELS UNTIL THE WATER TURNS
THIS BROWNISH-RED COLOR.

Submitter comment:

THIS METHOD OF COLORING EGGS IS STILL DONE TODAY. THE INFORMANT
COLORS EGGS THIS WAY EVERY YEAR.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; informant's home ; 1282 N. RADEMACHER

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter eggs

Date learned: 10-01-1971

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EGG GAME

DURING THE EASTER RITUAL OF EATING THE BLESSED FOOD TAKEN TO THE
CHURCH, THE HARD BOILED EGGS ARE SMASHED. THE ONE WHOSE EGG
SMASHES LAST IS THE WINNER.

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): GAME

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter eggs

Date learned: 11-02-1969

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MY BONNY

MY BONNY LIES OVER THE OCEAN
MY BONNY LIES OVER THE SEA
MY BONNY LIES OVER THE OCEAN
PLEASE BRING BACK MY BONNY TO ME
BRING BACK, OH BRING BACK
OH BRING BACK MY BONNY TO ME TO ME
BRING BACK, OH BRING BACK
PLEASE BRING BACK MY BONNY TO ME.

Submitter comment:

INFORMANT HAS KNOWN THIS ALL HER LIFE AND THINKS SHE PROBABLY LEARNED
IT AS A GIRL IN ENGLAND FROM HER FAMILY. SHE USED TO SING IT TO US
WHEN WE WERE KIDS.

Data entry tech comment:

Informant is collector's mother.

Where learned: ENGLAND ; INFORMANT'S HOME

Keyword(s): SEPARATION ; SORROW

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Love

Date learned: 01-00-1964

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STORM BELIEF

NEVER CARRY A METAL OBJECT WHEN IT THUNDERS.

Submitter comment:

INFORMANT KNEW A MAN WHO WAS HOLDING A BIG SICKLE
AND HAD A NEEDLE IN HIS CAP WHILE IT WAS LIGHTNING
AND THUNDERING. THE MAN GOT STRUCK BY THE LIGHTNING AND WAS
KILLED. INFORMANT SAW THE CORPSE AS IT WAS BEING PULLED BY.
(IN POLAND, 1915-1920)

Data entry tech comment:

Informant is collector's father.

 

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT HOME

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial
BELIEF -- Lightning Thunder
BELIEF -- Weather sign or control P890.222

Date learned: 11-19-1971

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FOOD SUPERSTITIONS REGARDING PREGNANCY

IF WHILE A WOMAN IS PREGNANT, AND SHE HAS A CRAVING FOR A
CERTAIN FOOD, AND SHE THEN TOUCHES HERSELF, THE BABY WILL HAVE
A BIRTH MARK ON THAT SPOT THAT THE WOMAN TOUCHED.

Data entry tech comment:

There are several others like this in the archive.
Informant's homeland=Italy?

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; informant's home ; from informant's homeland

James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC?

Subject headings: Food Drink -- Food
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: 03-07-1971

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LIGHTNING BELIEF

LIGHTNING WON'T STRIKE TWICE IN THE SAME PLACE.

Data entry tech comment:

Informant and collector share same surname.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; informant's home

Subject headings: 686 686.1.2
BELIEF -- Lightning Thunder
BELIEF -- Sign or prediction through Natural atmospheric phenomenon

Date learned: 03-00-1971

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STORM PROTECTION

IT IS A BELIEF OF THE INHABITANTS OF THE SOUTHERN PART OF THE
UNITED STATES THAT WHEN THERE IS A VIOLENT ELECTRICAL STORM
THE SAFEST PLACE IN THE HOME IS UNDER A BED COVERED COMPLETELY
WITH A DOWN STUFFED QUILT. THIS IS BECAUSE THEY SAY THAT IF THE
HOUSE IS STRUCK BY LIGHTNING IT WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PENETRATE
THIS QUILT.

Where learned: COLLECTED AT HOME

James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMAL PRODUCT

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Bird
BELIEF -- Lightning Thunder
BELIEF -- Weather sign or control P890.7

Date learned: 11-04-1969

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YUGOSLAVIAN EASTER CUSTOM

ON EASTER MONDAY, CROATIAN CHILDREN WOULD GO FROM HOUSE TO HOUSE
CARRYING AN ORANGE, AND THEIR NEIGHBORS WOULD STICK DIMES OR NICKELS
INTO THE ORANGE FOR GOOD HEALTH.

Data entry tech comment:

Informant and collector share the same surname and residence.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; informant's home

Keyword(s): BEGGING ; EASTER GIFTS ; FOOD CUSTOM ; HEALTH

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus
BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness

Date learned: (VARIOUS DATES)

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A RELIGIOUS TRADITION

"ON GOOD FRIDAY AT HOME WE WERE ALLOWED TO EAT ONLY
APPLES AND SODA CRACKERS FROM MIDNIGHT HOLY THURSDAY TO MIDNIGHT
GOOD FRIDAY, AND WE COULD ONLY DRINK WATER."

Submitter comment: LEARNED AS A CHILD AT HOME.

Where learned: HOME ; TOLD IN

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM ; SELF-SACRIFICE--FASTING

Subject headings: 663 Holy Thursday
663 Good Friday

Date learned: 03-10-1967

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A RELIGIOUS TRADITION

ON HOLY SATURDAY WE ALL WENT TO CHURCH FOR THE AFTERNOON SERVICES
WHICH WERE BLESSING THE NEW FIRE AND BLESSING HOLY WATER AND SOME
OTHERS. WE WOULD PICK UP SOME OF THE NEW HOLY WATER WHEN WE WENT
HOME FOR HOME USE.

Submitter comment: PRACTISED AS A CHILD AT HOME.

Data entry tech comment: "AND SOME OTHERS." COULD POSSIBLY REFER TO THE BLESSING OF THE FOOD
WHICH IS TO BE EATEN ON EASTER SUNDAY.

Where learned: HOME ; TOLD IN

Keyword(s): SWIECZONKA ; WATER

Subject headings: 663 Holy Saturday
BELIEF -- Prayer

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A RELIGIOUS TRADITION

"WE ALWAYS VISITED THE GRAVES OF OUR DEAD RELATIVES ON ALL
SOULS DAY. WE WOULD CLEAN UP THE GRAVE SITE, PUTTING DOWN SOME
FRESH FLOWERS AND SAY A FEW PRAYERS. WE ONLY DID THIS ON ALL
SOULS DAY THOUGH."
PRACTISED AS A CHILD AT HOME.

Where learned: HOME ; TOLD IN

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- November 2 All SoulsDay of the Dead

Date learned: 03-10-1967

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PROVERB

BE ASHAMED TO CATCH YOURSELF IDLE.

Where learned: HOME ; TOLD AT

James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: POSITIVE

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

Date learned: 11-02-1969

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THERE NEVER WAS A GOOD KNIFE MADE OF BAD STEEL.

Where learned: HOME ; TOLD AT

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

Date learned: 11-02-1969

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THEY THAT DO GOOD, NOT ONLY DO GOOD THEMSELVES, BUT
BY THEIR EXAMPLE ARE THE OCCASION OF MUCH GOOD BEING
DONE BY OTHERS.

Where learned: HOME ; TOLD AT

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

Date learned: 11-02-1969

View just this record

KRAKOWIAK (POLISH DANCE)

LIKE THE AMERICAN SQUARE DANCE.

Where learned: CHILDHOOD ; NOT GIVEN ; HOME ; PENNSYLVANIA ; MICHIGAN ; LETTER ; OHIO ; NEW JERSEY ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; AUTOGRAPH BOOK ; GROSSE POINTE ; HARPER WOODS ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS ; WARREN ; JAPAN ; RUSSIA ; GRAND RAPIDS ; SHIPLE HALL ; GARDEN CITY ; ROYAL OAK ; TOLEDO ; TRENTON ; FARMINGTON ; KALAMAZOO ; CANADA ; ONTARIO ; MARYGROVE COLLEGE ; DETROIT ; MAIL ; INDIANA ; DETROIT, ASSUMED ; TOLD AT HOME ; FERNDALE ; SOUTHFIELD ; TENNESSEE ; MACKENZIE HIGH SCHOOL ; HAMTRAMCK ; DEARBORN ; MINNESOTA ; ILLINOIS ; NEW YORK ; FLORIDA ; KOREA ; WISCONSIN ; NEW HAMPSHIRE ; STUDENT UNION ; READING ; AUSTRALIA ; Sylvania ; Sterling Heights ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; GROSSE POINTE PARK ; OAK PARK ; SOUTHGATE ; STURGEON LAKE ; REDFORD ; TOORAK ; VICTORIA ; ROSEVILLE ; LINCOLN PARK ; TRAVERSE CITY ; HUNTINGTON WOODS ; PONTIAC ; TROY ; PORT CHESTER ; SOUTH AMERICA ; BROOKVILLE ; MONTREAL ; SEOUL ; NORTH OLMSTED ; EASTOWN THEATER ; ERIE ; University of Notre Dame ; FRANKLINVILLE ; TORONTO ; TOLD AT ; TOLD BY ; TOLD IN ; SCRANTON ; MONROE ; GLENVIEW ; MOSCOW ; GULLEY ; FINLAND ; HARBOR BEACH ; HOUGHTON LAKE ; Hudson Lake ; INDIANAPOLIS ; JONESBORO ; KANSASVILLE ; LEXINGTON ; MASSILLON ; MAUCH CHUNK ; MELVINDALE ; MILFORD ; NEW ROCHELLE ; NIAGARA FALLS ; PANAMA CITY ; PATAGONIA ; ARGENTINA ; RESIDENCE HALL ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES ; TOLD AT HONORS HOUSE ; AMERICAN HISTORY CLASS

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Dance

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BELIEF

PLACE STATUE OF BLESSED VIRGIN IN THE ICE BOX
IF YOU WANT A FAVOR AND TAKE HER OUT ONLY AFTER IT IS GRANTED.

Submitter comment: THIS WAS DONE AT ST. MARY'S ACADEMY 1934-38.

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color

Date learned: 10-06-1970

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FORMULA SPEECH

WHAT ABOUT THE SAYING, WHEN SOMEBODY WOULD SAY "HEY YOU!"; YOU
USED TO SAY, "SAVE THE HAY FOR LITTLE JESUS."

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS ; TOLD AT

James Callow Keyword(s): RETORT

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Formula

Date learned: 10-00-1970

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