Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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ENGAGEMENT
IN SOUTHERN GREEK TOWNS WHERE FISHING IS A WAY OF LIFE,
WHEN A MAN WISHES TO MARRY, HE PRESENTS THE GIRL'S FATHER
WITH A FISH. THE FISH IS THE GREEK EQUILVALENT OF AN
ENGAGEMENT RING. IT IS SYMBOLIC OF HIS ABILITY TO SUPPORT HER
AND HER FAMILY, IF NECESSARY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TROY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Symbols of engagement BELIEF -- Fish |
Date learned: 04-00-1979
PREGNANT WIVES
IN THE UKRAINE, DURING WW 1, MANY MEN LEFT THEIR WIVES AND
WENT TO AMERICA. THE WIVES WOULD BE SENT FOR WHEN THEY
COULD BE SUPPORTED. OCCASIONALLY, ONE OF THESE WIVES WOULD
GET PREGNANT. WHEN THE HUSBAND, WHOM MAY HAVE BEEN GONE
FOR SEVERAL YEARS, OFTEN FOUND HE ALSO HAD A FAMILY, THE
WOMEN DEVELOPED A STORY TO EXPLAIN THIS HAPPENING. THEY SAID
THAT AS A STORM TOOK PLACE, THE WIND BLEW UP UNDER HER DRESS
AND THEY BECAME PREGNANT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TROY
James Callow Keyword(s): WORLD WAR ONE
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 04-00-1979
ARMY ESKIMO RHYME
"I DON'T KNOW, BUT I'VE BEEN TOLD, ESKIMO GIRLS ARE
MIGHTY COLD"... U. S. SERVICEMEN IN ALASKA DURING THE FIFTIES
DEVELOPED THIS LITTLE RHYME TO EXPLAIN HOW THINGS WERE
IN FAIRBANKS, ALASKA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TROY
| Subject headings: | 730 Lyrical Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- War cries PROVERB -- Blason Populaire |
Date learned: 04-00-1979
HOLY SATURDAY RELIGIOUS CUSTOM
ON HOLY SATURDAY MORNING OF EASTERTIDE, MOST POLISH-AMERICANS HAVE
THE TRADITIONAL CUSTOM OF TAKING FOOD FOR THEIR EASTER DINNER IN A
LARGE BASKET TO THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD FOR A
BLESSING BY THEIR PRIEST. THE BASKET IS USUALLY OF THE WICKER
TYPE AND CONTAINS SUCH ITEMS AS HAM, HARD BOILED EGGS, BUTTER, SMALL
LOAVES OF BREAD, AND KIELBASA (THE SPECIAL SAUSAGE MADE BY
POLISH-AMERICANS THEMSELVES). THE TOP OF EACH BASKET IS USUALLY
COVERED WITH A SMALL CLOTH OR TOWEL, AND WHEN THE PRIEST COMES DOWN
THE MAIN AISLE OF THE CHURCH, THE PEOPLE REMOVE THESE TOWELS SO THAT
SOME HOLY WATER IS SPRINKLED ON THEIR FOOD. THEN THE TOWEL IS
REPLACED AND TUCKED OVER THE FOOD AFTER THE BLESSING WITH HOLY WATER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TROY
Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM ; SWIECZONKA
| Subject headings: | 663 Holy Saturday BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 10-03-1969
AGRILCULTURE BELIEF
CORN SHOULD BE KNEE HIGH ON THE 4TH OF JULY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TROY
James Callow Keyword(s): INTERNAL RHYME
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- July 4 Independence Day BELIEF -- Plant husbandry Farming |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
WHAT'S YOUR NAME? MARY JANE.
WHERE DO YOU LIVE?
DOWN THE DRAIN.
WHAT DO YOU EAT?
PIG'S FEET.
WHAT DO YOU DRINK?
BLACK INK.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT'S YOUNG NIECE RECITED THIS FOR HIM
MANY TIMES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TROY
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children |
POLISH CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL
DECEMBER 24 (CHRISTMAS EVE) IS CELEBRATED WITH A SPECIAL MEAL AND
A MEANINGFUL READING FROM SEVERAL DIFFERENT WORKS PERTAINING TO THE
SEASON OF CHRISTMAS.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve |
Date learned: 03-21-1971
KNOCK-KNOCK STREET
THE STREET O'CONNER, WHICH IS LOCATED IN ST. CLAIR SHORES,
MICHIGAN, IS SAID TO BE HAUNTED BY THE GHOST OF AN 8-YEAR-OLD
GIRL WHO WAS DRAGGED TO HER DEATH ON THE BUMPER OF A CAR.
THE DRIVER OF THE CAR HEARD A KNOCKING ON THE BACK OF THE
VEHICLE BUT WAS UNAWARE AT THE TIME WHAT IT WAS. THE GIRL'S
MOTHER CURSED THE STREET SO THAT EVERY TIME A CAR WENT PAST
THE STREET, THE PASSENGERS WOULD HEAR THE KNOCKING.
Where learned: GROSSE POINTE WOODS ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Date learned: 00-00-1964
Entry filtered.
FORD'S CURVE; DEAD MAN'S CURVE
ON LAKESHORE ROAD, BETWEEN 8 AND 9 MILE ROADS IN GROSSE POINTE
SHORES, MICHIGAN, THERE IS A CURVE IN THE ROAD KNOWN AS "FORD'S
CURVE." THERE HAVE BEEN REPORTED MANY ACCIDENTS FROM KIDS
DRAG RACING ON THIS STREET. BRIAN, AT 19, RECEIVED A 1966
CORVETTE STING RAY FOR HIS BIRTHDAY. ONE DAY, DRIVING DOWN
LAKESHORE, ANOTHER CORVETTE APPROACHED HIM; THEY DECIDED TO
"DRAG." THE BOY IN THE OTHER CAR DIDN'T MAKE IT AFTER REACHING
THE CURVE--HE DIED 3 HOURS LATER. BRIAN ALSO ENDED UP IN
CRITICAL CONDITION FOR SEVERAL WEEKS. AFTER THIS FATAL ACCIDENT
THE CURVE WAS NAMED "DEAD MAN'S CURVE."
Where learned: GROSSE POINTE WOODS ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Vehicle propelled by mechanical or other force on land |
Date learned: 00-00-1966
FOLKLORE OF GOOD LUCK
IN JAPAN, BAMBOO IS HUNG IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE HOUSE TO GIVE ITS
STRENGTH TO WARD OFF SICKNESS AND TO BE ABLE TO KEEP WORKING.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
Keyword(s): Holistic ; Japan ; LUCK ; PLANT ; SYMBOL
James Callow Keyword(s): AMULET
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: CA00001935
CHURCH CUSTOM
PHINGSTEN--THIS IS A NATIONAL HOLIDAY WHICH IS CELEBRATED ON THE
SECOND SUNDAY AFTER ASCENSION THURSDAY. THE NEXT DAY (MONDAY), IS
ALSO A CELEBRATED HOLIDAY AND THERE IS NO WORK OR SCHOOL. THIS
COMMEMORATES THE DESCENT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE
FORM OF BURNING TONGUES UPON THE APOSTLES OF CHRIST. IT IS AT THIS
TIME THAT THE APOSTLES WERE ENDOWED WITH SO MUCH KNOWLEDGE AND
WISDOM, AND WERE ABLE TO GO OUT AND BE TEACHERS OF MEN.
Submitter comment:
Informant's memories of homeland Germany.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; BEAUTY SHOP
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Pentecost |
Date learned: 03-00-1971
WHEN A LITTLE GIRL WHISTLES, THE DEVIL DANCES.
Submitter comment: THIS SAYING WAS USED FREQUENTLY BY THE INFORMANT'S GRANDMOTHER.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): HELL MUSIC CHILDREN
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 02-18-1971
FOLKLORE OF NEA YEAR'S DAY
ON NEW YEAR'S DAY EVERGREEN IS HUNG ABOVE THE DOOR. THIS INSURES
A LONG PROSPEROUS YEAR.
Submitter comment: THIS IS DONE IN JAPAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Year |
Date learned: CA00001935
DANCING CUSTOMS
90% OF ALL BOYS AND GIRLS TAKE DANCING LESSONS IN
PRIVATE DANCING SCHOOLS. THE WALTZ, FOX TROT, TANGO,
ENGLISH WALTZ, AND ROCK AND ROLL. AFTER HALF THE
COURSE IS OVER, A FORMAL DANCE IS HELD AND ATTENDED
BY THE YOUNG ADULTS AND PARENTS. THE SECOND HALF OF
THE COURSE TEACHES MODERN DANCE, SAMBA, RUMBA, CHA CHA,
AND OTHER LATIN DANCES. ETIQUETTE AND MANNERS ARE ALSO
LEARNED IN THIS COURSE. THE FINALE IS A BIG BALL AT
WHICH TUXEDO AND FORMAL DRESS IS WORN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; BEAUTY SHOP
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
Date learned: 01-00-1971
IF YOU SEE A PERSON WHO WAS BORN WITH RED HAIR, IT MEANS
THAT THEIR PARENTS MADE A DEAL WITH THE DEVIL SOMETIME
THROUGHOUT THEIR LIVES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hair, on head, mustache, widow's peak BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Color |
Date learned: 04-01-1990
IN THE GYM AT MY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WE USED TO HAVE A ROPE
ABOUT THIRTY FEET LONG THAT HUNG DOWN FROM THE CENTER OF
THE CEILING. EVERY YEAR EACH PERSON WAS REQUIRED TO TRY TO
CLIMB THE ROPE AS FAR AS THEY COULD FOR GYM CLASS. EVERY
BOY THAT TRIED CARRIED A PENCIL IN HIS MOUTH. IT WAS BELIEVED
THAT IF YOU GOT TO THE TOP AND WROTE THE NAME OF THE GIRL YOU
LIKED ON THE CEILING, SHE WOULD LIKE YOU BACK. THE TEACHERS
USUALLY ENCOURAGED THIS PRACTICE AND EVERY YEAR THE CEILING
WAS CLEANED TO MAKE ROOM FOR THE NEXT YEAR'S CLASS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School BELIEF -- School BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Word Letter |
PROVERBIAL METAPHOR
THE WHEEL THAT SQUEAKS LOUDEST IS THE ONE THAT GETS THE GREASE.
Submitter comment:
TOLD BY HER TENNESSEE GRANDMOTHER. MEANS ATTENTION GOES TO
TH LOUDEST PERSON.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
COIN CUSTOM
IF YOU PUT A PENNY IN EACH OF YOUR DRESSER DRAWERS
AND KEEP THEM THERE YOU WILL ALWAYS HAVE MONEY
WHILE YOU LIVE IN THAT HOUSE.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT SAYS HIS MOTHER TOLD HIM THIS AND SWEARS IT IS TRUE.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of quality Medium of exchange BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color |
GOSSIP
WHAT GOES IN THE WASH MUST COME THROUGH THE WRINGER.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |