Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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CHURCH CUSTOM
THIS IS A GERMAN CATHOLIC FEAST WHICH IS CELEBRATED IN HONOR OF THE
FOUNDING OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST. IT TAKES PLACE ON THURSDAY EXACTLY
FOUR WEEKS AFTER ASCENSION THURSDAY. IT BEGINS BY CELEBRATING MASS
IN CHURCH. THEN THE HOLY EUCHARIST IS HONORED IN A PROCESSION WHICH
LEAVES FROM THE CHURCH AND GOES TO THE CHURCH GROUNDS. ON THE
GROUNDS ARE SET UP THREE ALTARS. THE PROCESSION GOES TO ALL THREE
ALTARS AND PRAYERS ARE CHANTED AND SONGS ARE SUNG. THE
PROCESSION IS LED BY THE PRIEST AND ALTAR BOYS AND FOLLOWED BY
THE MOST RECENT FIRST COMMUNION CLASS, FOLLOWED BY THE OTHER CHURCH
GROUPS FOR MEN, WOMEN OR CHILDREN.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT'S MEMORIES OF HOMELAND GERMANY. INFORMANT NEVER MENTIONED NAME OF FEAST BUT IT SEEMS TO BE CORPUS
CHRISTI.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; BEAUTY SHOP
Keyword(s): CORPUS CHRISTI
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Pentecost |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
TAKEN FROM MY COLLECTION OF RECIPES:
THREE NAMES FOR THE SAME COOKY RECIPE:
THE GERMAN RECIPE WHICH I GOT FROM MY GRANDMOTHER--CRESCENTS.
THE POLISH RECIPE FROM MRS. EDNA BOLDE--RUSHKIES.
THE RECIPE FROM THE SOUTHERN UNITED STATES, FROM MRS. J.
BROSTIEN--KATY'S COOKIES.
THE RECIPE: 1. 1 LB. FLOUR. 2. 1 LB. BUTTER. 3. 1 LB.
COTTAGE CHEESE IN GERMAN VERSION, 12 OZ. CREAM CHEESE IN
POLISH VERSION, AND 1 PINT SOUR DREAM AND 6 EGG YOLKS IN
SOUTHERN VERSION.
THE DOUGH IS MIXED AND CHILLED OVERNIGHT IN REFRIGERATOR.
THE GERMAN AND POLISH COOKIES ARE ROLLED OUT AND CUT IN
SHAPE OF A PLATE AND THEN CUT INTO FOURTHS. (DRAWING ON
5X8 CARD INDICATES CIRCLE DIVIDED ACROSS AND DOWN). EACH
WEDGE IS TOPPED WITH A SPOONFUL OF NUT OR FRUIT FILLING
AND ROLLED, BEGINNING WITH WIDEST SIDE, THEN ROLL IS
SHAPED INTO CRESCENT. THE SOUTHERN COOKIES ARE ROLLED
OUT AND CUT INTO RECTANGLES. THEN EACH IS TOPPED
WITH A SPOONFUL OF FRUIT OR NUT FILLING AND ROLLED,
BEGINNING WITH NARROW END. THEN BAKED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; UTICA
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Pastry Sweet Dessert |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
SCHOOLING
IN GERMANY A FORMAL EDUCATION IS COMPLETE BY THE EIGHTH
GRADE. THEN A TRADE MUST BE SELECTED. THE NEXT THREE
YEARS ARE SIMILAR TO AN APPRENTICESHIP. ONE DAY A
WEEK A TRADE SCHOOL IS ATTENDED, AND THE REST OF THE
WEEK IS SPENT WORKING WITH A QUALIFIED PERSON OF THE
TRADE. DURING THIS TIME, THE APPRENTICE RECEIVES A SMALL
PERCENTAGE OF FULL PAY. THE CLASS WHICH THEY TAKE
TEACH(ES) NOT ONLY THE SKILLS AND TECHNICAL ASPECTS
OF A TRADE, BUT ALSO BOOKKEEPING AND ACCOUNTING. THIS
IS DONE SO THAT THE PERSON IS KNOWLEDGEABLE IN ALL
AREAS OF THE BUSINESS AND WOULD BE QUALIFIED TO OPEN
UP THEIR OWN SHOP BUSINESS, OR TRADE.
THE MAJOR PERCENT OF CHILDREN FOLLOW THIS TREND OF
EDUCATION.
A CHILD, AFTER COMPLETING FOURTH GRADE, TAKES AN EXAM
CALLED HECHOCHULE. IF THE CHILD PASSES THIS EXAM, HE
GOES INTO SPECIAL COURSES WHICH INCLUDE FRENCH, ENGLISH,
SHORTHAND, TYPING, LATIN, AND BOOKKEEPING. EVERY TWO
YEARS ANOTHER TEST IS ADMINISTERED, IF THE CHILD PASSES
HE CONTINUES IN THE PROGRAM; IF NOT HE CHANGES TO THE
TRADE SCHOOL PROGRAM.
AFTER TWELFTH GRADE, THESE SPECIAL PEOPLE THEN GO INTO
SPECIALITIES SUCH AS A LAWYER, SECRETARY, TEACHER, ETC.
THIS IS THE PREPARATION FOR THE UNIVERSITY LEVEL.
SCHOOLING IN GERMANY IS ALL LEARNING. THEY HAVE NO
SCHOLARSHIPS, HOCKEY , BASKETBALL, BASEBALL, FOOTBALL OR
SOCCER TEAMS SPONSORED BY THE UNIVERSITIES. THE ONLY
MEASURING STICK FOR ENTRANCE INTO THE UNIVERSITIES
IS PASSING THE BATTERY OF TESTS GIVEN FROM THE FOURTH
TO TWELFTH GRADES. THIS SYSTEM DOES NOT ALLOW FOR
INDIVIDUAL CHOICE IN PLANNING TO GO OR NOT TO GO TO
COLLEGE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; BEAUTY SHOP
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
Date learned: 01-00-1971
THOSE WHO SPEND THEIR TIME LOOKING FOR FAULTS IN OTHERS
SELDOM SEE THE FAULTS IN THEMSELVES.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; STUDENT UNION ; TROY ; TOLD IN
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 03-29-1971
PLANT SWEET PEA AND PEA SEEDS ON GOOD FRIDAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TROY
| Subject headings: | 663 Good Friday CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F476 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting F663.33 |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
POLISH WEDDING CUSTOM
IN POLAND, IT IS CUSTOMARY TO THROW SALT AND RYE AT
THE MARRIED COUPLE AS THEY LEAVE THE CHURCH AFTER THE
NUPTUAL MASS. RYE TAKES THE PLACE OF RICE BECAUSE
IT IS A CROP AND THEREFORE AVAILABLE. THE RYE ALSO
SIGNIFIES BREAD WHICH THE MARRIED COUPLE WILL
CONSUME THROUGHOUT THEIR MARRIED LIFE. THE SALT
SIGNIFIES THAT THEY WILL NEVER GO HUNGRY AS LONG AS
THEY ARE HAPPY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TROY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Things thrown at newlyweds |
Date learned: 10-03-1969
IF YOU CUT YOUR HAIR ON YOUR BIRTHDAY, IT WILL BE A
BAD YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TROY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Private birthday or anniversary BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 03-19-1971
Always leave by the same door as you enter by; this will ward off
bad luck while you're out.
Submitter comment: Lisa learned this around 1980 from her mother, Kathleen Metz.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TROY
Keyword(s): Ingress
James Callow Keyword(s): House
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 00001980S
IN ORDER TO DO WELL ON A TEST YOU SHOULD EAT PLENTY OF FRUIT
WHILE YOU STUDY AND BEFORE YOU TAKE THE TEST. IT'S BRAIN FOOD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TROY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 00001970S
It is bad luck for the groom to see the bride on their wedding
day before she walks down the aisle for the ceremony. It
is also bad luck for him to see the gown before the wedding.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TROY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 01-00-1984
It is a scottish tradition in Keith's family to drink out of a
special shot-type glass when an adult has a birthday. The
person having the birthday is the only one who may drink
from the glass. The print on the glass is red and green plaid.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TROY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Private birthday or anniversary |
Date learned: 01-00-1978
Entry filtered.
LUMINARI
LUMINARI IS FROM A SPANISH WORD MEANING LIGHT, AND
IS THE CUSTOM OF LIGHTING STREETS OF A NEIGHBORHOOD WITH
CANDLELIGHT TO SYMBOLIZE THE BONFIRES THE SHEPHERDS BUILT
TO LIGHT THEIR WAY TO THE MANGER IN BETHLEHEM ON THE
FIRST CHRISTMAS EVE. FOR THE MODERN DAY YOUNG-AT-HEARTS,
IT IS ALSO BE DESCRIBED AS LIGHTING THE WAY FOR SANTA.
WHEN DONE WITH UNANIMOUS COOPERATION, THE EFFECT IS
MOST IMPRESSIVE AND HEARTWARMING IN THIS SEASON OF
"GOOD WILL TOWARDS ALL MEN."
THE PROCEDURE INVOLVED IS RELATIVELY SIMPLE AND SAFE.
PLACE 2 INCHES OF SAND IN THE BOTTOM OF A BROWN PAPER
LUNCH BAG. THEN PLACE THE CANDLE IN THE BAG. KEEP THE
CANDLES IN A DRY AND WARM PLACE UNTIL CHRISTMAS EVE.
#ON CHRISTMAS EVE#
1. TAKE THE BAGS OUTSIDE PRIOR TO THE LIGHTING TIME AND
PLACE THEM IN A LINE ALONG THE STREET, SPACING THEM
ABOUT NINE (9) FEET APART. USE THE EXTRA BAGS TO LINE
YOUR DRIVEWAY.
2. PLACE EACH BAG WITH A SLIGHT TAMPING ACTION TO MAKE
SURE THE SAND IS EVENLY DISTRIBUTED IN THE BOTTOM OF
THE BAG. ALSO ENSURE THAT EACH BAG IS STANDING UP
ERECTLY AND THE TOP IS OPENED.
3. MAKE SURE THE CANDLE IS SET IN THE APPROXIMATE CENTER
OF THE BAG. IF THE DIRECTIONS ARE CARRIED OUT, THE
FLAME OF THE CANDLE WILL NOT TOUCH THE SIDE OF THE
BAG AND BURN SAFELY.
4. CANDLES ARE TO BE LIGHTED AT 5:30 P.M. SHARP ON
CHRISTMAS EVE.
5. IN THE EVENT OF INCLEMENT WEATHER ON CHRISTMAS EVE,
THE LIGHTING OF THE "LUMINARI" WILL BE POSTPONED
UNTIL CHRISTMAS NIGHT.
Submitter comment:
THIS TRADITION HAS BEEN GOING ON IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD
SINCE WE MOVED THERE IN 1975. IT LOOKS IN THE DARK
WHEN DRIVING THROUGH THE SUBDIVISION LIKE AN
AIRPORT RUNWAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Lights and candles CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Santa Claus |
Date learned: 00-00-1975
On New Year's Day, Keith's grandfather gives everyone in
the family a silver dollar to signify a prosperous new year.
It is bad luck to start the year off poor.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TROY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's BELIEF -- Measure of time Year BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth |
Date learned: 01-00-1970
BELGIAN PEOPLE ALWAYS TREASURE THEIR FIRST
INDIAN NICKEL.
Submitter comment:
IT IS SAID THAT BELGIANS ARE REALLY TIGHT
WITH THEIR MONEY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TROY
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of quality Monetary system Money Wealth PROVERB -- Blason Populaire |
AVOID WEARING RED CLOTHES, IT IS THE COLOR THAT ATTRACTS DESIRE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TROY
James Callow Keyword(s): SEX, LUST
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Dress ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Color Design BELIEF -- Color |
TO BLEACH YOUR HAIR BOIL APPLES AND USE THE EXTRACT.
A FRIEND USED TO DO THIS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TROY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses |
Date learned: CA00001955
WHEN A WOMAN IS PREGNANT, SHE SHOULD NOT LOOK AT A BURNING FIRE OR
THE BABY WILL BE BORN SCARED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TROY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: CA00001950
WHEN YOU SEE THE FIRST ROBIN OF SPRING, LICK YOUR THUMB, RUB IT ON
THE OPPOSITE FIST AND BANG THEM TOGETHER. THEN MAKE A WISH.
Submitter comment: 1 HE LEARNED THIS IN GERMANY
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TROY
Date learned: 00-00-1950
WHEN IT IS SNOWING, MOTHER GOOSE IS SHAKING HER FEATHER BED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TROY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew |
Date learned: CA00001955