Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for PUERTO RICO returned 50 results.
BAD LUCK IN MARRIAGE
IT'S BAD LUCK FOR THE GROOM TO SEE THE BRIDE'S DRESS BEFORE THE
WEDDING.IT WILL CAUSE MISFORTUNE IN THE MARRIAGE.
Where learned: PUERTO RICO
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
KEEP EVIL SPIRITS AWAY
IF YOU SLEEP WITH A MIRROR AT NIGHT YOU WILL KEEP THE EVIL SPIRITS
AWAY.
Where learned: PUERTO RICO
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Measure of time Sleeping |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
GOOD LUCK OMEN
THE FIGURE OF AN ELEPHANT WITH HIS TRUNK UP IN THE AIR SHOULD BE
PLACED WITH HIS BACK FACING THE ROOM FOR GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: PUERTO RICO
James Callow Keyword(s): AMULET TALISMAN STATUE ; POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Good luck P881.1 BELIEF -- Good luck P881.31 |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
HORSESHOE LUCK
PUTTING A HORSESHOE ON THE DOORWAY OF YOUR HOUSE WILL BRING GOOD
LUCK
Where learned: PUERTO RICO
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Good luck P881.12 |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
LEGEND OF THE FORTRESS
IT IS SAID THAT IN THE COLONIAL TIMES THERE WAS A SOLDIER OVERLOOKING
THE COAST FROM A LOOKOUT TOWER IN THE SPANISH FORTRESS OF EL MORRO.
THIS PARTICULAR SOLDIER WAS DRINKING AND GAMBLING AND SOLD HIS SOUL
TO THE DEVIL IF HE WOULD WIN THE BET. HE LOST AND SUDDENLY
DISAPPEARED LEAVING NO TRACE. UNTIL TODAY IT IS SAID THAT THE DEVIL
TOOK HIM AWAY.
Where learned: PUERTO RICO ; SAN JUAN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
INNOCENTS DAY
ON DECEMBER 28 THE BOYS AND MEN OF CERTAIN TOWN IN THE ISLAND
CELEBRATE THE INNOCENTS DAY BY DRESSING UP IN EXTREMELY COLORFUL
COSTUMES WITH TINY BELLS ATTACHED ALL OVER. THEY GO AROUND IN FLOATS
PLAYING TRICKS AND ASKING FOR MONEY. AT THE END OF THE DAY THE BEST
COSTUME AND CARAVAN IS SELECTED.
Submitter comment: SOME OF THESE COSTUMES MAY COST AROUND 500.00 DOLLARS TO MAKE.
Where learned: PUERTO RICO ; HATILLO
James Callow Keyword(s): BEGGING
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 28 Holy Innocents CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
LEGEND
THIS IS THE LEGEND OF LA GUARITA.
A LONG TIME AGO, JUAN WAS FORCED TO JOIN THE FORCES WHICH WERE
PROTECTING THE ISLAND FROM SIR WALTER RALEIGH. HE DIDN'T WANT TO
GO BECAUSE HE DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE HIS SWEETHEART. IT WAS VERY
WICKED OF HIM TO HAVE MADE SUCH A FUSS. HE WAS STATIONED IN A LITTLE
GUARDHOUSE (ONE OF THOSE PICTURESQUE SMALL PROTRUSIONS IN THE STONE
WALLS WHICH PROTECT THE OLD CITY ON THE NORTH SIDE--CALLED A
GUARITA).
ONE NIGHT JUAN TOOK UP HIS POST, AS USUAL, BUT WHEN THEY CAME TO
RELIEVE HIM IN THE MORNING, ALL THAT WAS FOUND WAS HIS GUN. HE HAD
OBVIOUSLY BEEN TAKEN AWAY BY DEMONS FOR NOT WANTING TO STAND GUARD.
SOME CLAIM THAT HE REALLY RAN AWAY WITH MARIA INTO THE HILLS.
Where learned: PUERTO RICO ; HATO REY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Legend |
Date learned: 00-00-1963
IN PUERTO RICO YOU NEVER USE THE EXPRESSION, "SU MADRE".
WHILE THIS MEANS "YOUR MOTHER" YOU MUST USE THE FORM,
"SU MAMA". YOU WOULD ASK, "?DONDE ESTA SU MAMA?" IF YOU
PUT IT THE OTHER WAY, YOU WILL BE GUILTY OF MAKING SOME
OBSCURE KIND OF ALLEGATION AGAINST THE PERSON'S MOTHER.
Submitter comment: I WAS UNABLE TO FIND OUT WHERE THIS CAME FROM. THE WORD, MADRE, IS PERFECTLY ACCEPTABLE TO USE ANY OTHER WAY
Where learned: PUERTO RICO ; HATO REY
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00001962 ca.
THE MAN WITH LEPROSY
IN THE TOWN OF ARECIBO THERE USED TO LIVE A MAN WITH LEPROSY.
HE LIVED IN THE MOUNTAINS AND USED TO COME TO SELL CHICKEN.
LONG AFTER HE DIED AND UP UNTIL TODAY, MANY PEOPLE
FROM THE VILLAGE CAN SEE HIM WALKING DOWN THE MOUNTAIN WITH
CHICKENS TO SELL.
Submitter comment:
SHE SAYS THAT THE STORY IS TRUE AND THAT MANY OF HER
RELATIVES HAVE SEEN THE GHOST.
Where learned: PUERTO RICO
Keyword(s): ARECIBO, PUERTO RICO
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
Date learned: 00001960S ; 11-00-1987
THREE KINGS DAY
ON JANUARY 6 THE CHILDREN RECEIVE GIFTS AS CONMEMORATION OF THE THREE
WISE MEN'S VISIT TO CHRIST. THE NIGHT BEFORE THE CHILDREN PUT GRASS
AND WATER UNDER THEIR BEDS FOR THE CAMELS TO EAT.
Submitter comment: THIS FESTIVAL HAS GOTTEN TO BE OF AS MUCH IMPORTANCE AS CHRISTMAS.
Where learned: PUERTO RICO ; LATIN AMERICA
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 5 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
THE CAVE IN ARECIBO
THERE IS CAVE THAT IS CLOSE TO THE OCEAN WHERE INDIANS
USED TO LIVE. THERE ARE MANY INDIAN DRAWINGS ON THE WALLS.
IT HAS BEEN SAID THAT AT CERTAIN TIMES OF THE YEAR, WHEN
THE CROPS ARE DUE FOR HARVEST, IF YOU GO INTO THE CAVE
YOU CAN HEAR THE HARVEST CHANTS OF THE INDIANS
WHO ONCED LIVED THERE.
Submitter comment: SHE HAS VISITED THIS CAVE, BUT HEARD NO NOISES.
Where learned: PUERTO RICO
Keyword(s): GHOSTLY VOICES
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Formation |
Date learned: 00001960S ; 11-00-1987
BAD LUCK
IT IS A BELIEF IN PUERTO RICO THAT IF YOU WALK BACKWARDS
INTO ANY OCEAN, THAT IT WILL TAKE AWAY ALL OF YOUR BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment: HER GRANDFATHER TOLD HER THIS
Where learned: PUERTO RICO
Keyword(s): BAD LUCK
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Still water Large body. BELIEF -- Conversions |
Date learned: 00-00-1970 ; 11-00-1987
MOUNT EL YUNQUE
THERE IS A TROPICAL FOREST IN THE MOUNTAINS WHERE THE
INDIANS HAD THEIR LAST FIGHT. IT IS SAID THAT IF ANYONE
GOES IN, THEY WILL NEVER RETURN AND THEIR BODY NOR BONES
WILL EVER BE FOUND.
Submitter comment:
SHE REMEMBERS THAT MANY PARENTS TOLD THEIR CHILDREN
THIS STORY AND NO ONE KNOWS IF IT IS TRUE OR NOT.
Where learned: PUERTO RICO
Keyword(s): EL YUNQUE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Formation |
Date learned: 11-00-1987 ; 11-00-1987
Entry filtered.
ALTHOUGH THE PUERTO RICAN PEASANT (JIBARO) WALKS INTO
THE SEA DURING FESTIVAL (AT MIDNIGHT ON THE SAINT'S DAY), HE WILL NOT GO IN ANY OTHER TIME. HE CANNOT SWIM.
THIS IS A PURPOSEFUL OMISSION. IN THE PAST, MANY OF
THEM MADE A GOOD PART OF THEIR LIVING FISHING IN WATERS
WHICH WERE OCCASIONALLY KNOWN TO BE SHARK INFESTED.
THE THEORY WAS THAT IF YOU COULDN'T SWIM, YOU WOULD
DROWN QUICKLY IF YOU FELL IN. THEN YOU WOULDN'T FEEL
IT WHEN THE SHARK GOT YOU.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: PUERTO RICO ; HATO REY
Keyword(s): Peasant ; Poor ; Puerto Rico ; SUPERSTITION ; Swim ; WATER
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Typical Elements of a Festive Pattern BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Measure of time Year |
Date learned: 00-00-1961
FOLK CUSTOM
ALTHOUGH THE PUERTO RICO PEASANT (JIBARO) WALKS INTO THE SEA
DURING FESTICAL (AT MIDNITE ON THE SAINT'S DAY), HE WILL NOT
GO IN ANY OTHER TIME. HE CANNOT SWIM. THIS IS A PURPOSEFUL
OMISSION. IN THE PAST, MANY OF THEM MADE A GOOD PART OF THEIR
LIVING FISHING IN WATERS WHICH WERE OCCASIONALLY KNOWN TO BE
SHARK-INFESTED. THE THEORY WAS THAT IF YOU COULDN'T SWIM,
YOU WOULD DROWN QUICKLY IF YOU FELL IN. THEN YOU WOULDN'T
FEEL IT WHEN THE SHARK GOT YOU.
Where learned: PUERTO RICO ; HATO REY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Custom |
Date learned: 00-00-1961
CHRISTMAS IS CELEBRATED IN PUERTO RICO ON JANUARY 6.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; PUERTO RICO
Keyword(s): BALTHAZAR ; KASPAR ; MELCHIOR
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany |
Date learned: 10-20-1971
SPANISH CUSTOM ; SPANISH VERSE
SANA QUE SANA CULITO DE RANA,
QUE POR LA MANANA YA ESTARA SANA/
GET WELL, GET WELL, LITTLE FROG ASS,
THAT BY MORNING YOU WILL BE ALL RIGHT.
THIS VERSE, IN SPANISH HOUSEHOLDS,
IS REPEATED TO SMALL CHILDREN BY
THEIR FATHER OR MOTHER TO HELP RELIEVE
THE PAIN OF A SMALL INJURY.
Submitter comment:
WHEN MY BROTHER AND SISTERS AND I WERE YOUNG AND HAPPENED
TO SKIN A KNEE OR ELBOW OR SOMETHING, MY FATHER
WOULD REPEAT THIS VERSE TO US WHILE PATTING THE KNEE,
ELBOW, ETC. IN AN EFFORT TO MAKE US FEEL BETTER.
HE ALWAYS RECITED IT IN SPANISH, AND I NEVER KNEW THE
TRANSLATION UNTIL RECENTLY.
Where learned: PUERTO RICO ; AGUADA
Date learned: CA00001930S
PROVERB
DIOS CASTIGA SIN BARA NI FUETE/GOD PUNISHES WITHOUT
A STICK OR WHIP
Where learned: PUERTO RICO ; AGUADA
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: CA00001930S
PROVERB
MAS VOLLE PAJARO EN MANO, QUE EL QUE VA VOLENDO/
A BIRD IN THE HAND IS WORTH MORE THAN THE ONE THAT IS FLYING.
Where learned: PUERTO RICO ; AGUADA
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: CA00001930S