Dr. James T. Callow publications
Browse by
Questions or comments on this site? Please email davidsor@udmercy.edu.
The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for NEW YORK returned 598 results.
It was the custom of young Cuban boys who were trying
to prove their manhood to dive into the waters of Havana
Harbor,near the old prison, and ride the sharks. It was
said that the sharks frequented the harbor because political
prisoners were placed in an underwater dungeon to be eaten
by the sharks.
Submitter comment:
This need to confront death and danger in order to establish
"machismo" is also seen in such activities as bullfighting.
This story was told to Carmen by her father, Gustavo Sebastian
Albore', who was very proud that he had been brave enough to
ride the sharks. Gustavo was proud also of his Castillian
Spanish parents, since in his mind, to be "Cuban"
meant to be black. He always, therefore, referred to himself
as "Castillian" whenever someone asked him his nationality.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; NEW ROCHELLE
Keyword(s): Courage, test, Hispanic, rite-of-passage
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Maturity |
Date learned: 00001930S
PROVERBIAL COMPARISON
AS COLD AS A WITCH'S TIT.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; NEW ROCHELLE
Keyword(s): CLIMATE ; DEFINITION ; SUPERNATURAL
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Witch Shaman PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Entry filtered.
PROVERB IN VERSE (?)
EVEN THE SEVERED BRANCH GROWS AGAIN,
AND THE SUNKEN MOON RETURNS:
WISE MEN WHO PONDER THIS ARE NOT TROUBLED IN ADVERSITY.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; HINDU BOOK CENTER
James Callow Keyword(s): OBSERVATION ; OPTIMISM ; SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Sign or prediction through Observation of galactic or celestial bodies |
Date learned: 00-00-1965
PARODY OF "BATTLE HYMN OF THE REPUBLIC"
GLORY GLORY HALLELUJAH
TEACHER HIT ME WITH A RULER
I MET HER AT THE DOOR
WITH MY TRUSTY FORTY-FOUR
AND THERE AIN'T NO TEACHER ANYMORE.
Where learned: BUFFALO ; NEW YORK
Keyword(s): ANTI-TEACHER ; EUPHEMISM
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ill humor Ridicule Mockery Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORED BY COLLECTOR.
PUT A CONTRIBUTION ON THE STATUE OF A SAINT DURING A PROCESSION
AND THAT SAINT WILL PRAY FOR YOU.
Submitter comment:
THE STATUES ARE DRESSED IN CLOAKS AND VEILS. THE MONEY IS PINNED ON
THE CLOAKS AND VEILS.
THIS WAS ORIGINALLY LEARNED IN WATERTOWN, NEW YORK
Where learned: NEW YORK ; WATERTOWN
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church BELIEF -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 00-00-1937
IN ITALIAN TRADITION, THE GODFATHER IS CONSIDERED TO BE THE
SECOND FATHER, AFTER THE ORIGINAL FATHER. FOR THIS REASON A
PARTY IS HELD ON THE BAPTISM DAY TO WELCOME THE GODFATHER INTO
THE FAMILY. IT IS USALLY HELD AT THE HOME OF THE ORIGINAL PARENTS.
Submitter comment: THIS WAS ORIGINALLY LEARNED IN WATERTOWN, NEW YORK
Where learned: NEW YORK ; WATERTOWN
Date learned: 00-00-1937
AT AN ITALIAN WEDDING IT IS TRADITIONAL FOR THE BRIDE AND GROOM TO
PASS OUT CANDY AND COOKIES TO THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY. OFTEN
THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY WILL SHOW UP FOR THE WEDDING. THE IDEA IS
THE IDEA IS THAT THE NEW HUSBAND AND WIFE ARE GIVING THIER FIRST
PARTY FOR THE COMMUNITY
Submitter comment: THIS WAS ORIGINALLY LEARNED IN WATERTOWN, NEW YORK
Where learned: NEW YORK ; WATERTOWN
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Date learned: 00-00-1942
ON GOOD FRIDAY, THE HOUSE IS OPEN TO THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY.
ONLY BREAD AND WATER IS SERVED BECAUSE THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY EATS
ONLY ONE MEAL FROM THURSDAY TO SUNDAY.
Submitter comment:
THE CITY OF WATERTOWN, IS ONE OF THE LARGER UPPER NEW YORK STATE
CITIES. THERE IS A VERY DIVERSIFIED GROUPS OF PEOPLE. MY FATHER
LIVED IN A MOSTLY. ITALIAN SECTION OF THE CITY
THE ITALIANS DO NOT EAT FROM DINNER WEDNESDAY TO EASTER DINNER ON
SUNDAY AFTERNOON.
THIS WAS ORIGINALLY LEARNED IN WATERTOWN, NEW YORK
Where learned: NEW YORK ; WATERTOWN
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F633 F633.12 Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals |
Date learned: 00-00-1942
THE WIDOW MAY NOT GO TO ANY FESTIVALS EXCEPT RELIGIOUS FESTIVALS
FOR A YEAR.
Submitter comment: THIS WAS ORIGINALLY LEARNED IN WATERTOWN, NEW YORK
Where learned: NEW YORK ; WATERTOWN
Date learned: 00-00-1939
THE WIDOW MUST GO TO MASS EVERY MONTH FOR THE SOUL THAT DIED.
Submitter comment: THIS WAS ORIGINALLY LEARNED IN WATERTOWN, NEW YORK
Where learned: NEW YORK ; WATERTOWN
Date learned: 00-00-1939
TH.E WIDOW MUST WEAR BLABLACK FOR A YEAR AFTER THE DEATH
Submitter comment: THIS WAS ORIGINALLY LEARNED IN WATERTOWN, NEW YORK
Where learned: NEW YORK ; WATERTOWN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Year BELIEF -- Color |
Date learned: 00-00-1939
AFTER A WEDDING THE FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS OF THE MARRIED COUPLE
GATHER AROUND THEIR WINDOW AND SING AND MAKE NOISE.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS DONE TO DISTRACT THEIR FREINDS DURING THE HONEYMOON
THIS WAS ORIGINALLY LEARNED IN WATERTOWN, NEW YORK
Where learned: NEW YORK ; WATERTOWN
James Callow Keyword(s): CHARIVARI
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Serenade Charivari CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
CELEBRATE THE FEAST OF YOUR PATRON SAINT. MAKE A CAKE FOR THE PERSON
WHOSE SAINT DAY IT IS.
Submitter comment: THIS WAS ORIGINALLY LEARNED IN WATERTOWN, NEW YORK
Where learned: NEW YORK ; WATERTOWN
Date learned: 00-00-1959
NEVER START PLANTING ON A FRIDAY BECAUSE IT IS BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment: THIS WAS ORIGINALLY LEARNED IN WATERTOWN, NEW YORK
Where learned: NEW YORK ; WATERTOWN
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Plant husbandry Farming BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour BELIEF -- Bad luck Time (year, season, week, hour, etc.) Occasion Event |
Date learned: 00-00-1940
IN THE IRISH CULTURE, AFTER A PERSON DIES, THE SAME NIGHT
AS THE DEATH THE FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS HAVE A HAPPY CELEBRATION.
EVERYONE DANCES AND DRINKS AND HAS A GOOD TIME. EACH PERSON BRINGS
SOME FOOD SO THAT THE WIDOW WILL NOT HAVE TO COOK.
Submitter comment: THIS WAS ORIGINALLY LEARNED IN WATERTOWN, NEW YORK
Where learned: NEW YORK ; WATERTOWN
James Callow Keyword(s): IRISH WAKE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 00-00-1945
THE IRISH BELIEVE THAT AFTER A PERSON DIES THAT HIS BODY SHOULD
BE KEPT ONLY OVERNIGHT. THE BODY SHOULD BE KEPT IN THE HOME.
Submitter comment: THIS WAS ORIGINALLY LEARNED IN WATERTOWN, NEW YORK
Where learned: NEW YORK ; WATERTOWN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 00-00-1945
TOP OF THE MORNING TO YOU.
Submitter comment: THIS WAS ORIGINALLY LEARNED IN WATERTOWN, NEW YORK
Where learned: NEW YORK ; WATERTOWN
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
MAY YOU BE IN HEAVEN ( ) HOURS BEFORE THE DEVIL KNOWS YOU ARE DEAD.
NUMBER OF HOURS SPECIFIED DEPENDS ON HOW GOOD THE FRIEND IS
Submitter comment: THIS WAS ORIGINALLY LEARNED IN WATERTOWN, NEW YORK
Where learned: NEW YORK ; WATERTOWN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Measure of quantity or weight BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 00-00-1956
DURING ADVENT, IRISH PEOPLE PUT A CANDLE IN THEIR WINDOW TO
WELCOME THE CHRIST CHILD.
Submitter comment: THIS WAS ORIGINALLY LEARNED IN WATERTOWN,, NEW YORK
Where learned: NEW YORK ; WATERTOWN
| Subject headings: | 645 September 23 Equinox to December 20 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Lights and candles |
Date learned: 00-00-1940