Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for SOUTHFIELD returned 444 results.
CABBAGE IS COOKED ON NEW YEAR'S DAY FOR GOOD LUCK. THE LEAVES
ON THE CABBAGE REPRESENT MONEY THAT PEOPLE BELIEVE WILL COME TO
THOSE EATING IT.
Submitter comment: SYMBOL
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
Date learned: 02-00-1979
IN LOUISIANA INSTEAD OF SERVING SOUP BEFORE A MEAL AS AN APPETIZER,
THE CREOLES SERVE GUMBO MADE OF OKRA, VEGETABLES, SEAFOOD AND
OTHER MEATS.
Submitter comment: THIS IS A MUST FOR SUNDAY DINNER IN NEW ORLEANS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
Date learned: 02-00-1979
ZULU PARADE IN NEW ORLEANS ON MARDI GRAS
IN THE ZULU PARADE, DARK-SKINNED BLACKS DRESS AS THE ZULU KING
AND HIS ATTENDANTS. KING ZULU IS SUPPOSED TO BE SOME KING WHO
LIVED IN AFRICA. THESE MASKERS RIDE ON A FLOAT DECORATED WITH
AFRICAN ORNAMENTS. SOME WEAR GRASS SKIRTS AND VERY COLORFUL
BEADS. WALKING ALONG THE FLOAT ARE MANY OTHERS IN AFRICAN
GARBS. THE FLOAT STOPS NOW AND THEN ALONG THE ROAD AND THE
MASKERS GIVE COCONUTS TO PEDESTRIANS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | 663 Mardi Gras CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Typical Elements of a Festive Pattern |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
SEVEN SISTERS IN A NEW ORLEANS SUBURB OF ALGIERS ARE SUPPOSED TO
HELP PEOPLE WITH THEIR LOVE AFFAIRS OR PUT CURSES ON PEOPLE.
PEOPLE, BELIEVING THAT THEY WILL BE HELPED, GO TO THEM WITH THEIR
PROBLEMS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | 686 Seven / Sevenths / Several BELIEF -- Witch Shaman |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
A WOMAN DOESN'T GO TO THE FUNERAL OF HER HUSBAND OR HER CHILD.
IT IS BAD LUCK TO DO SO.
Submitter comment:
MY GRANDMOTHER BELIEVES IN THIS AND DID NOT ATTEND HER HUSBAND,
SON OR DAUGHTER'S FUNERAL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
DON'T MARRY A BROTHER OR SISTER OF A DEAD MATE. IF YOU DO THE
CHILDREN WILL BE BORN DEFORMED IN SOME WAY.
Submitter comment:
MY GRANDMOTHER ALWAYS TOLD THIS TO HER CHILDREN AND WAS QUICK TO
POINT OUT EXAMPLES AMONG FRIENDS AND RELATIVES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Common law CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 02-17-1979 ; 00-00-1949
DON'T LOOK IN THE MIRROR AFTER TWELVE O' CLOCK AT NIGHT. IF
YOU DO A GHOST WILL APPEAR IN THE MIRROR.
Submitter comment: THIS IS A SAYING OF MY GRANDMOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour |
Date learned: 02-17-1979 ; 00-00-1949
A MARRIED WOMAN GOT PREGNANT BUT DIDN'T WANT THE CHILD. SHE
HATED THE FACT THAT SHE WAS PREGNANT AND HATED HER UNBORN CHILD.
WHEN THE CHILD WAS BORN IT JUMPED OUT OF THE HANDS OF THE DOCTOR.
IT WAS RED AND LOOKED LIKE A REAL LITTLE DEVIL.
Submitter comment:
THIS STORY WAS TOLD BY A JESUIT PRIEST, FATHER BOSCO, FROM A
SMALL TOWN IN LOUISIANA. FATHER BOSCO SAID THE MOTHER OF THE
CHILD WAS A MEMBER OF HIS PARISH AND THAT THIS REALLY HAPPENED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon PROSE NARRATIVE -- Abnormal in size |
Date learned: 02-17-1979 ; 00001940'S
DRYING HANDS
IF TWO PEOPLE DRY THEIR HANDS AT THE SAME TIME ON THE SAME
TOWEL THEY WILL HAVE A FIGHT SHORTLY.
Submitter comment:
HE LEARNED THIS FROM HIS PARENTS WHEN HE WAS A YOUNG CHILD
ABOUT 1910.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 05-12-1965
CRACKS IN THE SIDEWALK
IF YOU STEP ON A CRACK YOU WILL BREAK YOUR MOTHER'S BACK.
Submitter comment:
I LEARNED THIS FROM MY CHILDHOOD FRIENDS AND REMEMBER THE
PAINS I WOULD GO THROUGH NOT TO STEP ON A CRACK. IF I HAPPENED
TO STEP ON ONE, I COULDN'T WAIT TO GET HOME TO MAKE SURE THAT
MY MOTHER'S BACK WASN'T BROKEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 05-12-1965
BABY ON BED
IF SOMEONE COMES TO YOUR HOUSE WITH THEIR NEW BABY AND IT
IS THE FIRST TIME THE BABY HAS BEEN OUT, AND IF THEY PUT IT ON
YOUR BED, THIS IS A SURE SIGN THAT YOU WILL HAVE A BABY SOON.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM HER GREAT-AUNT, BELLE MACDOUGALL
ABOUT 1920
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 05-12-1965
ENGAGEMENT RING
IF YOU ACCEPT AN ENGAGEMENT RING AT CHRISTMAS THE ENGAGEMENT
ALWAYS FALLS THROUGH.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT KNEW OF THIS SINCE SHE WAS A YOUNG GIRL AND
KNOWS OF FOUR PEOPLE THIS HAS HAPPENED TO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 05-12-1965
COMPANY
IF YOU GO OUT YOUR BACK DOOR AND COME IN YOUR FRONT DOOR,
NOT ON PURPOSE BUT ACCIDENTALLY YOU WILL HAVE COMPANY.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM HER FATHER, HUGH TORRANCE,
ABOUT 1895.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 05-12-1965
PREMONITION
IN ABOUT 1900 JENNY TORRANCE WAS SITTING IN HER LIVING ROOM.
SHE HEARD THREE KNOCKS ON HER DOOR AND WENT TO ANSWER IT. NO ONE
WAS THERE. SHE SAT BACK DOWN AND HEARD THREE KNOCKS AGAIN. SHE
WENT TO THE DOOR AND NO ONE WAS THERE. SHE SAID TO HERSELF, "ISN'T
THAT ODD? I HAVE A FEELING THAT SOMEONE HAS DIED." A FEW MINUTES
LATER THE PHONE RANG AND SHE WAS TOLD THAT HER NEICE HAD DIED OF
PNEUMONIA.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM HER MOTHER, JENNY TORRANCE,
IN DETROIT IN ABOUT 1900.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 05-12-1965
BIRD HITTING WINDOW
IF A BIRD HITS YOUR WINDOW, THIS IS A SIGN OF DEATH.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM HER UNCLE, DICK MACDOUGALL,
ABOUT 1900.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 05-12-1965
DOG HOWLING
IF YOU HEAR A DOG HOWLING, THIS MEANS SOMEONE IS DYING.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS WHEN SHE WAS VERY YOUNG ABOUT
1895, BUT CAN NOT REMEMBER WHO SHE LEARNED IT FROM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 05-12-1965
DISHCLOTH
IF YOU DROP A DISHCLOTH THAT IS A SURE SIGN THAT YOU WILL
HAVE COMPANY.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM HER MOTHER, JENNY TORRANCE,
WHEN SHE WAS A LITTLE GIRL ABOUT 1890.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 05-12-1965
SPIDERS
IF YOU STEP ON A SPIDER IT WILL RAIN.
Submitter comment: I LEARNED THIS INFORMATION FROM MY CHILDHOOD FRIENDS IN ABOUT 1950.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 05-12-1965
FALLING STAR
IF YOU SEE A FALLING STAR, THIS IS A SIGN THAT SOMEONE YOU KNOW
HAS DIED. EACH STAR REPRESENTS A PERSON ON EARTH. WHEN IT IS
FALLING, YOU KNOW THAT SOMEONE IS DYING.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS WHEN SHE WAS VERY YOUNG ABOUT 1895
BUT SHE DOES NOT REMEMBER WHO SHE LEARNED IT FROM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 05-12-1965
THE HOUSE ON GUINE
MY MOTHER WAS SO SCARED IN THIS HOUSE THAT SHE NEVER LIKED TO STAY
ALONE AT NIGHT. ONCE MY FATHER WAS AWAY FOR A WHILE, SO SHE
ASKED EDITH VISENEAU TO STAY ALL NIGHT WITH HER. EDITH HAD A DATE
BUT SAID THAT SHE WOULD COME OVER AFTER SHE GOT HOME. HER DATE
TOOK HER UP TO THE DOOR OF THE HOUSE ON GUINE. SHE OPENED THE DOOR,
WENT IN, AND CLOSED THE DOOR BEHIND HER. SOME HUGE DARK THING
WITH ITS ARMS STRETCHED OUT WOULD NOT LET HER GO ANY FURTHER.
SHE SCREAMED AND RAN OUT OF THE HOUSE.
AFTER THIS MY MOTHER WENT TO VISIT HER MOTHER ON HARSEN'S ISLAND.
MY FATHER CAME TO THE HOUSE ON GUINE TO CHANGE HIS CLOTHES BEFORE
HE TOO WENT TO HARSEN'S ISLAND. HE TOOK HIS SHOES OFF AND DECIDED
TO REST A WHILE FIRST ON THE COUCH DOWNSTAIRS. HE HEARD A
NOISE AND OPENED HIS EYES. HE LOOKED UP AND SAW A WOMAN
COMING DOWN THE STAIRS TOWARD HIM. SHE HAD A BLACK DRESS ON
THAT RUSTLED. HE PICKED UP HIS SHOES, AND BACKED OUT OF THE HOUSE.
HE NEVER WENT BACK IN. MY MOTHER WANTED TO SELL THE HOUSE BUT IT WA
HIT BY LIGHTENING AND IT BURNED TO THE GROUND.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM HER MOTHER AND FATHER
ABOUT 1885 IN DETROIT.
Data entry tech comment: CORRECTED SPELLING
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
Keyword(s): MANIFESTATIONS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 05-12-1965