Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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ON JANUARY 15TH ALL OF JAPAN CELEBRATES ADULTHOOD DAY. ANYONE WHO
IS 20 YEARS OR OLDER IS CONSIDERED AN ADULT. THE GOVERNMENT
DISTRIBUTES PRESENTS TO THOSE WHO ARE/HAVE JUST TURNED 20.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 15 |
Date learned: 11-11-1969
KITE FLYING DAY
IN INDIA ON JANUARY 14TH THE INDIAN PEOPLE HAVE KITE FLYING DAY.
THEY BUILD KITES AND FLY THEM BUT WHILE THEY ARE FLYING THEM THEY
TRY TO BRING THE OTHER KITES DOWN. THE LAST KITE LEFT FLYING IS
THE BEST.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 14 |
Date learned: 03-05-1971
GRAFFITO
Q. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A TRIBE OF PYGMIES AND
A WOMENS TRACK TEAM?
A. A TRIBE OF PYGMIES IS A BUNCH OF CUNNING RUNTS,
AND A WOMENS TRACK TEAM IS A BUNCH OF RUNNING C--TS.
Submitter comment: I JUST COLLECT IT, I DONT CENSOR IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
AGRICULTURAL BELIEF
IN A PART OF RUSSIA, WHEN THERE WAS A HEAVY SNOWFALL THE WINTER
BEFORE, THE CROPS THE NEXT YEAR WOULD BE VERY GOOD CROPS. PEOPLE
BELIEVED THIS FOR A LONG TIME. IT TURNS OUT THE LARGE AMOUNT OF
FROZEN WATER WOULD MELT AND FLOW DOWN ONTO THE CROPS. THERE WAS
SOMETHING IN THAT WATER WHICH HELPED THE PLANTS TO GROW.
Submitter comment:
THERE ARE MANY STRANGE BELIEFS ABOUT PLANTING AND CROPS. THIS IS
ONE WHICH TURNS OUT TO HAVE A LOGICAL REASON AFTER ALL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew BELIEF -- Plant husbandry Farming |
Date learned: 11-00-1975
THE EVIL EYE
TWO SIGNS WHICH SHOULD BE WORN TOGETHER ON A CHAIN ARE A HAND WITH
THE INDEX AND LITTLE FINGERS EXTENDED AND AN ITALIAN HORN. THEY
ARE WORN TO WARD OFF THE EVIL EYE. THE SYMBOL OF THE HAND IS ALSO
DONE WHEN YOU WANT TO WISH PEOPLE THE EVIL EYE.
Submitter comment:
THE ITALIAN HORN HAS IN RECENT YEARS BECOME A FAD AND IS WORN BY
MANY PEOPLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
James Callow Keyword(s): GESTURE SYMBOL ; MANU CORNUTA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Eyes, evil eye BELIEF -- Sign Color SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 11-00-1975
THE EVIL EYE
UP UNTIL ABOUT 1947, SHIPS SAILING IN THE MEDITERRANEAN HAD A LARGE
EYE PAINTED ON THE SIDE. THIS WAS TO PROTECT THEM FROM EVIL AND FROM
ANY HARM.
Submitter comment: THIS IS INDICATIVE OF THE MANY SUPERSTITIONS DEALING WITH THE SEA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
Date learned: 11-00-1975
LEGEND
IF YOU NEED MONEY, ONE WAY TO GET IT IS TO WRITE A LETTER TO A DEAD
RELATIVE. ADDRESS THE ENVELOPE AND STAMP IT JUST LIKE YOU WERE
MAILING THE LETTER. THEN PUT IT ON TOP OF A GLASS OF WATER AND
PLACE THEM UNDER YOUR BED. WHAT IS SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN IS THAT THE
RELATIVE WILL COME BACK TO YOU AND TELL YOU THE NUMBERS FOR THE
NUMBERS RACKET THE NEXT DAY. SO A LADY DID THIS, SHE WROTE TO HER
DEAD BABY SISTER AND PUT THE LETTER ON A GLASS OF WATER UNDER HER
BED. SHE WOKE UP DURING THE NIGHT WHEN SHE FELT SOMEONE GETTING
INTO BED WITH HER. SHE LOOKED AND IT WAS THE BODY OF AN ADULT WITH
THE HEAD OF HER BABY SISTER. SHE RAN OUT OF THE HOUSE AND RAN
DOWN THE STREET SCREAMING. AND SHE'S BEEN CRAZY EVER SINCE.
Submitter comment:
WHEN MY INFORMANT LEARNED THIS STORY, THE PERSON WHO TOLD IT TO HER
WARNED HER TO BE SURE NOT TO TRY IT. SHE THINKS IT,S A SILLY STORY,
BUT SHE WON'T TRY TO DISPROVE IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
James Callow Keyword(s): DECAPITATION
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Number BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 11-00-1975
LEGEND
THERE WERE 12 NUNS IN A CONVENT WHO MADE A VOW SAYING THAT AFTER THEY
DIED THEY WANTED TO HAVE A ROSARY WITH ONE LIVE PERSON FOR SO MANY
DAYS AND IF THE PERSON STAYED WITH THEM FOR TEN DAYS, THEY WOULD GIVE
THE PERSON THEIR CONVENT. A LADY WENT DOWN THERE NOT KNOWING THE
STORY AND ASKED AN INNKEEPER IF THERE WERE ANY MOTEL ROOMS SHE COULD
STAY IN. HE TOLD HER SHE COULD STAY IN THE CONVENT. SO SHE
STAYED THERE BECAUSE SHE THOUGHT IT WAS DESERTED. THEN THE 12 NUNS
ALL HOLDING CANDLES, WALKED BY HER AND INTO THE CHURCH. SHE
FOLLOWED THEM IN AND WATCHED THEM SAYING THE ROSARY, WITH ONE OF
THEM SAYING IT AND EVERYONE ELSE ANSWERING IT. THIS HAPPENED FOR TEN
DAYS AND EVERYDAY THE NUNS WOULD DISAPPEAR AS SOON AS THE ROSARY WAS
DONE. ON THE FINAL DAY, AS THE NUNS WERE WALKING OUT, ONE OF THEM
HANDED A NOTE TO THE WOMAN. THE NOTE THANKED HER FOR HELPING THEM
FULFILL THEIR VOW. THEN IT SAID THAT THEY GAVE THE CONVENT TO HER.
THIS IS A TRUE STORY. EVERYONE KNEW ABOUT IT AND KNEW IT WAS
TRUE. THIS HAPPENED IN THE 40'S IN MEXICO. THE WOMAN WENT BACK TO
THE INNKEEPER AFTER THIS WAS OVER AND ASKED HIM ABOUT IT. SO THEN HE
TOLD HER ABOUT THE NUNS, VOW.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT HAD SEVERAL STORIES WHICH WERE BASED IN MEXICO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
James Callow Keyword(s): NUMBERS
| Subject headings: | 686 First / Once / One / Newness 686 Seconds / Twice / Two PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial SPEECH -- To Be Seen |
Date learned: 11-00-1975
LEGEND
THERE WAS A GUY WHO USED TO BEAT UP HIS WIFE ALL OF THE TIME.
WHEN HE DIED, SHE HAD NIGHTMARES THAT HE CAME BACK TO HER. AFTER
TWO NIGHTS OF DREAMS LIKE THIS, SHE WENT TO HER PRIEST AND TOLD HIM
ABOUT THE DREAMS. THE PRIEST DIDN'T BELIEVE HER. SHE TOLD HIM THAT
HER HUSBAND KEPT SAYING, "I WANT TO TALK TO YOU," AND HIS FACE HAD
BEEN SURROUNDED BY FLAMES. SO THE PRIEST GAVE HER SOME PAPER AND
TOLD HER TO PUT IT ON THE DESK. THEN NEXT TIME HER HUSBAND
APPEARED SHE SHOULD TELL HIM TO WRITE ON THE PAPER WHAT HE WANTED
TO TELL HER. SO NEXT TIME HER HUSBAND CAME, SHE TOLD HIM TO WRITE
HIS MESSAGE DOWN. HE TRIED TO WRITE IT DOWN AND THE PAPER BURNED
UP BECAUSE HIS ARMS WERE SURROUNDED BY FLAMES, TOO. IT WAS USELESS.
SO YOU KNOW WHERE HE WAS FROM. HE WAS CONDEMNED. EVERYONE IN TOWN
KNEW THIS STORY. IT HAPPENED IN SAN PANCHO, IN MEXICO.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A STORY WHICH WAS TOLD AS IF IT WERE TRUE, AND NOT JUST A
LEGEND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
James Callow Keyword(s): HELL ; NIGHTMARE
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Body part Senses Upper body, arms, neck Q522 Q522.13 |
Date learned: 11-00-1975
LEGEND
IN MEXICO WHEN SOMEONE DIES, YOU CAN APPROACH A CERTAIN GROUP AND
THEY WILL GIVE A MASS FOR THAT PERSON FOR 30 STRAIGHT DAYS. THIS IS
SO THE PERSON WILL GO TO HEAVEN. BUT YOU CAN'T MISS A DAY OF THOSE
30 DAYS. MY UNCLE DIED IN SAN PANCHO, AND HIS SISTER-IN-LAW WAS IN
THE GROUP. SO THEY PRAYED FOR HIM. THE SISTER-IN-LAW IS REALLY
OLD AND EVERYONE KNOWS SHE IS DYING. ON THE 30TH DAY OF THE MASS,
SHE FELT SOMEONE COME UP AND TOUCH HER ON THE SHOULDER. SHE TURNED
AND THE PERSON SAID, " MUCHAS GRACIAS. TE ESPERO?" WHICH MEANT,
THANK YOU' SHOULD I WAIT FOR YOU? THEN HE WALKED AWAY. SHE DIDN,T
SEE HIS FACE, BUT SHE KNEW IT WAS MY UNCLE BY THE WAY HE WAS BUILT.
EVERYONE IN TOWN KNOWS THIS AND BELIEVES IT, TOO.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT KNOWS THIS IS TRUE AND BELIEVES IN IT COMPLETELY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
James Callow Keyword(s): NUMBERS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Prayer BELIEF -- Number P686.1.30 SPEECH -- To Be Seen |
Date learned: 11-00-1975
LEGEND
THERE IS A PRIEST IN SAN JUAN DE LOS LAGOS, MEXICO, WHO SAID TO GOD
HE WOULD SAY THE OUR FATHER EVERY TIME SOMEONE CAME INTO THE CHURCH
IN ORDER TO THANK GOD FOR LETTING HIM BE A PRIEST. HE DIED AND WAS
BURIED. THE NEXT TIME SOMEONE CAME INTO THE CHURCH AFTER HE DIED,
THE PRIEST SAID THE OUR FATHER REALLY LOUD AND SLOW. NO ONE KNEW
WHERE HIS VOICE WAS COMING FROM. HE DID THIS AT MASS AS PEOPLE WERE
COMING IN AND EVERYONE RAN OUT BECAUSE THEY WERE SCARED. THE POLICE
CAME TO CHECK OUT THE CHURCH FOR LOUDSPEAKERS, AND THEY CHECKED THE
WHOLE CHURCH AND FOUND NOTHING. THE POLICE FINALLY LOCKED UP THE
CHURCH. AFTER THAT, TWO DRUNKS SOMEHOW GOT INTO THE CHURCH. THE
PRIEST SAID THE OUR FATHER AND THEY RAN OUT OF THE CHURCH COMPLETELY
SOBER. NO ONE GOES IN THE CHURCH ANYMORE, THIS IS A TRUE STORY.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT TOLD THIS STORY AS STRAIGHT FACT, HE BELIEVED IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
James Callow Keyword(s): BELIEF ; INSOBRIETY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Supernatural Being BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 11-00-1975
LEGEND
THERE IS A CATHOLIC CEMETERY IN TOLEDO, IT,S THE BIGGEST CEMETERY
IN TOLEDO. IN THE MID 20S, WHEN GYPSIES WERE STILL A BIG THING,
THERE WAS SUPPOSEDLY A GYPSY QUEEN THAT DIED. SO THE GYPSIES HELD
A BIG BURIAL FOR HER, WITH ALL THE RITES AND FEASTS AND PARTYING-
DOWN. THEY INTERRED HER BODY IN A BIG MAUSOLEUM WITH BEAUTIFUL
STAINED GLASS WINDOWS. THE QUEEN HAD DIED IN CHILDBIRTH. SO ANYWAY
THERE ARE SPECIAL NIGHTS EVERY MONTH' I DON,T KNOW WHAT THE NIGHTS
ARE, WHERE YOU CAN SUPPOSEDLY SEE THE SHADOW OF A WOMAN WALKING A
CHILD AND HEAR A CHILD CRYING. ONE NIGHT MY DAD TOOK ME TO THE
CEMETERY. AGAINST THE FLICKERING LIGHT OF CANDLES, I SAW THE SVELTE
SHADOW OF A WOMAN PACING BACK AND FORTH AND HEARD A BABY CRYING. WE
WENT BACK THE NEXT DAY. THE MAUSOLEUM HAD GATES WHICH CLOSED OFF
THE FRONT, AND HUGE IRON DOORS WHICH WERE SHUT. WE CHECKED THE
GATES AND THEY HAD BEEN WELDED OR RUSTED SHUT, SO THERE WAS NO WAY
ANYONE COULD GET INSIDE.
Submitter comment:
IF THE INFORMANT SAID HE SAW THE SHADOW AND HEARD THE CHILD, HE DID.
HE IS NOT GIVEN TO EXAGGERATING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
James Callow Keyword(s): BELIEF
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- B439 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
SUPERSTITION
IF SOMEONE IS SICK AND THERE IS NO WAY THEY'RE GOING TO PULL OUT,
MEXICANS PRAY TO THE VIRGIN OF GUADALOUPE, WHO IS THE PATRON SAINT
OF MEXICO. WHEN YOU PRAY, YOU SAY THAT YOU WILL WALK TO THE ALTAR
OF ONE OF TWO CHURCHES-ONE IS IN MEXICO CITY AND ONE IS IN
GUANAGUATO-FROM A CERTAIN POINT OUTSIDE THE CHURCH ON YOUR KNEES.
I DON'T KNOW IF I BELIEVE THIS. I THINK I DO. MY MOTHER TRIED THIS
WITH MY BROTHER AND SISTER A FEW TIMES AND IT WORKED.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT SEEMED SKEPTICAL, BUT IN THE END HE SEEMED TO BELIEVE
THE IDEA. HE WAS VERY EARNEST ABOUT THE STORY AND MADE SURE I GOT
ALL THE FACTS RIGHT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
James Callow Keyword(s): SUPPLICATION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church BELIEF -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Prayer SPEECH -- Gesture |
CUSTOM
IF YOU GO TO A CHURCH THAT YOU'VE NEVER EVER BEEN IN BEFORE,
IT IS AN ITALIAN CUSTOM THAT YOU SHOULD MAKE A WISH WHEN YOU FIRST
ENTER THE BUILDING.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS AN ITALIAN CHURCH CUSTOM. THE INFORMANT IS AN EXTREMELY
INTELLIGENT PERSON. SHE SEEMED AS IF SHE BELIEVED IN IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church |
Date learned: 10-00-1975
ARABIAN SAYING
A PERSIAN (LIGHT-SKINNED) IS THE SAME AS AN ARABIAN (DARK-
SKINNED), JUDGE HIM ON WHAT HE DOES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
James Callow Keyword(s): COMPARISON ; DON'T JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim PROVERB -- Blason Populaire |
Date learned: 09-00-1967
PROVERBIAL METAPHOR
A PENNY EARNED IS A PENNY SAVED
Submitter comment: THIS IS THE WAY SHE SAID IT
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
James Callow Keyword(s): ECONOMY
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 01-19-1971
WELLERISM
OURS WAS THE GROUP THAT HAD 35% MORE CAVITIES
HE SAID CRESTFALLEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
James Callow Keyword(s): "CREST" IS THE BRAND NAME OF TOOTHPASTE WHICH ; PUN
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Wellerism Quotation |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
PROVERBIAL MAXIM
THE OPPORTUNITY OF A LIFETIME MUST BE SEIZED WITHIN THE LIFE-
TIME OF THE OPPORTUNITY
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
Keyword(s): CHIASMUS
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION ; INTERNAL ITERATION ; OBSERVATION ; PROMPTNESS
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 03-05-1968
PROVERBIAL APOTHEGM
THE ONLY VICTORY THAT IS LASTING AND BRINGS NO EVIL RESULTS IS THE
VICTORY OVER HIMSELF. NAPOLEON
Data entry tech comment: ORIGINAL 5 X 8 CARD INDICATES THAT THIS IS A QUOTE FROM NAPOLEON
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: POSITIVE ; FUNCTION ; SELF DISCIPLINE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 00-00-1963
WELLERISM
"ONLY SEVEN MORE DAYS," DICK SAID, WEEKLY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
Keyword(s): PUN
James Callow Keyword(s): NUMBERS
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Wellerism Quotation |
Date learned: 01-00-1972