Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for ITALY returned 63 results.
IT WAS CONSIDERED A GOOD OMEN IF WHILE TRAVELLING
ONE MET A WOLF WITH ITS MOUTH WIDE OPEN.
Submitter comment: GOOD OMEN IN ITALY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ITALY ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 11-20-1967
A WEDDING BAD OMEN IN ITALY
IF A ROOSTER WOULD CROW UNNATURALLY, OR A SNAKE FALL
INTO THE ATRIUM OR A BLACK DOG ENTERED THE HOUSE,
EVEN THOUGH A WEDDING HAD BEEN ARRANGED WITH INVITATIONS
SENT OUT AND EVERYTHING IN READINESS, THE WEDDING
WOULD BE POSTPONED.
Submitter comment: PEOPLE STILL DO THIS IN ITALY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ITALY ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Animal BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 11-20-1967
Death Custom
After a family member dies in an Italian family,
the relations must all wear black for one week.
They have to wear everything black!
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Color |
Date learned: 00001972CA
Christmas Presents
Open smallest gift on Christmas Eve. The rest are
opened on Christmas Day.
Date learned: 00001972CA
Italian Food Custom
The men always eat first and the women last during a holiday
meal.
James Callow Keyword(s): SEXISM
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. |
Mafia Tradition
Oldest child has the responsibility to take care of
mother both financially and emotionally when the father
dies.
Date learned: 00001972CA
Mafia Tradition
Oldest child has the responsibility to take care
of his father when the father is over 65 years old.
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate BELIEF -- Number P686.1.66 |
Date learned: 00001972CA
Mafia Tradition
Mafia members send white roses to the widow of an
enemy upon his death. This means that they will take
care of the widow. The grudge is broken because her
husband is dead.
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Color |
Date learned: 00001972CA
Christening Outfit
Paternal grandfather gives first born grandchild
a christening outfit. All grandchildren wear this
outfit, but the eldest gets to keep it to give to
their children.
Date learned: 00001972CA
Good Luck (Italian)
Throw salt over left shoulder for good luck. The
paternal grandfather does this on the day of a wedding
or birth.
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 00001972CA
Christmas Day Dinner
Paternal grandmother always has this dinner.
She serves the same foods every year.
Date learned: 00001972CA
Revolving Christmas Eve Dinner
Every year dinner changes to another female member's
house. This has to be an eight-course meal.
Date learned: 00001972CA
Wedding Custom
All females must wear white; that includes the bride.
Bride has to wear veil to cover her whole face.
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Date learned: 00001984CA
Italian Funerals
Only wear black colors to a funeral. The widow
must wear a veil.
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 00001984CA
Italian Christmas Tradition
Eldest cousin buys the youngest cousin a gift.
Paternal grandfather buys the newest member a
welcome gift to the family.
Submitter comment:
The newest member is a new addition to the family.
This includes a new baby or someone who married into
the family.
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve |
Date learned: 00001972CA
Entry filtered.
Custom
In a Sicilian family, it is customary to name the first
son after the paternal grandfather. The second son is
named after the maternal grandfather.
Date learned: 00001977CA
In the city of Florence, there is a bronze statue of a boar
whose finish has dulled with time except for the nose which
is quite shiny. Custom has it that visitors to the city should
rub the nose of the boar in order to have the good luck to be
able to return to the city, thus the shiny nose.
Where learned: ITALY ; FLORENCE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Body part Senses Nose BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 00-00-1989
RAY WAS EATING AT AN OUTDOOR SIDEWALK CAFE. A BIRD FLEW
ONTO RAY'S HEAD. HE REACHED UP AND FELT A FURRY LITTLE THING.
HE REACHED UP HIS HAND AND SWIPED THE BIRD OFF, AND
IT LANDED ON THE TABLE OF AN AUSTRALIAN COUPLE.
Where learned: ITALY ; FLORENCE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 07-00-1985
WHEN YOU THINK THAT YOU ARE WITH SOMEONE WHO WILL GIVE
YOU THE EVIL EYE, HOLD OUT YOUR FOREFINGER AND BABY
FINGER, HOLD THIS UNTIL THE PERSON LEAVES.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAW HIS BROTHER DO THIS WHEN IN CALABRIA,
ITALY, AND BELIEVED IT WARDED OFF THE EVIL EYE.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ITALY ; OAK PARK ; CALABRIA
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; CUSTOM ; EVIL ; EVIL EYE ; Eye ; Fingers ; GESTURE ; Prevent ; SUPERSTITION ; Ward
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Curse SPEECH -- Body parts involved S602.12 |
Date learned: 01-24-1972