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CUSTOM FESTIVAL

MISTLETOE USED TO GET A KISS.

Where learned: HOME

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Mistletoe and other greenery

Date learned: 10-07-1968

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FOLK CURE FOR UPSET STOMACH

BOIL A BAY LEAF IN WATER FOR A FEW MINUTES AND THEN DRINK.
WILL CURE UPSET STOMACH AND ALSO EASE DIARRHEA.

Data entry tech comment: COLLECTOR'S SPELLING CORRECTED BY KEYPUNCHER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT HOME

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Remedy

Date learned: 11-14-1971

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BLOODY MARY

MARK TOLD ME ABOUT HIS FRIEND PAUL ANDERSON WHO CLAIMS HE SAW AND
FELT BLOODY MARY. ONE DAY AS PAUL WAS WALKING ALONE HE STOPPED AND
PRESSED HIS HEAD TO A TREE. HE CLOSED HIS EYES AND COUNTED TO FIFTEEN
AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN HE FELT A SHARP PAIN IN HIS HEAD.
HE SAID IT FELT LIKE A KNIFE STABBING THROUGH HIS HEAD.
WHEN HE OPENED UP HIS EYES HE SAW BLOODY MARY STANDING THERE WITH A
KNIFE STUCK THROUGH HER HEAD.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TOLD AT HIS HOME ; LIVONIA

Subject headings: Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration
Favorites
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter

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CHRISTMAS:

ON CHRISTMAS MORNING ALL THE CHILDREN LINED UP ACCORDING TO AGE
BEGINNING WITH THE YOUNGEST TO GO IN AND SEE THE DECORATED TREE.

Submitter comment: (A CUSTOM AT HOME)

Where learned: HOME

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below.
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas tree

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BLONDIE AND DAGWOOD WENT TO TOWN,/ BLONDIE BOUGHT AN EVENING GOWN./
DAGWOOD BOUGHT A PAIR OF SHOES,/ ALEXANDER BOUGHT THE NEWS,/ AND IN
THE NEWS IT SAID: "CLOSE YOUR EYES AND COUNT TO TEN, IF YOU MISS YOU
TAKE AN END.

Where learned: TOLD AT INFORMANTS HOME

Keyword(s): CHARACTER ; ENDURANCE ; Jump

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse

Date learned: 02-00-1970

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KRIES KRINGLE (GERMAN)

PREPARATORY FOR CHRISTMAS
KRIES KRINGLE COMES AND BRINGS
CHILDREN GIFTS, FRUITS, ETC. TO
SHOW THEM CHRISTMAS IS NEAR.

Where learned: TOLD AT HOME

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Santa Claus

Date learned: 10-21-1968

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A BELIEF

ON NEW YEARS DAY THE FIRST PERSON THAT SHOULD ENTER YOUR HOUSE
IS A MAN (IF YOU ARE A WOMAN). IF A WOMAN ENTERS FIRST YOU WILL HAVE
BAD LUCK ALL YEAR.

Submitter comment: HIS MOTHER WILL NOT LET ANY WOMAN IN HER
HOUSE ON NEW YEARS DAY FIRST AND WILL GET
MAD IF A WOMAN SHOWS UP FIRST.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; COLLECTED AT HOME

Keyword(s): FIRST FOOTING ; SEXIST

Subject headings: 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually.
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's
BELIEF -- Measure of time Year
BELIEF -- Bad luck

Date learned: 10-10-1971

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CHRISTMAS EVE

STRAW IS TO BE PLACED IN ABUNDANCE UNDERNEATH THE TABLECLOTH FOR THE
CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER IN ORDER TO PREPARE FOR THE COMING OF THE
CHRIST CHILD.

Submitter comment:

INFORMANT PRACTICES THIS CUSTOM EACH YEAR.

Data entry tech comment:

Informant and collector reside on same street.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT INFORMANT'S HOME

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Christmas
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Straw

Date learned: 02-18-1971

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SANTA CLAUS' MILK AND COOKIES

IT IS COMMON AMONG CHILDREN
IN MANY COUNTRIES TO LEAVE A
GLASS OF MILK AND A FEW COOKIES
FOR SANTA CLAUS - THANKING HIM FOR
HIS PRESENTS.

Where learned: HOME

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Santa Claus

Date learned: 01-31-1968

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NIGHT TIME CHANT

MY GRANDMOTHER USED TO SIT ON HER FRONT PORCH ON
SUMMER NIGHTS AND CHANT:
STAR LIGHT, STAR BRIGHT,
FIRST STAR I SEE TONIGHT,
I WISH I MAY, I WISH I MIGHT,
HAVE THE WISH I WISH TONIGHT.

Submitter comment: FOR A WHILE SHE CHANGED THE LAST LINE TO "I WISH WE'D
GET A PIANO TONIGHT." HER FATHER GOT SO SICK OF HEARING
THAT EVERY DAY AND NIGHT, THAT ONE DAY HE FINALLY WENT
OUT AND BOUGHT THEM A PIANO. THEN THE WISH OF MY
GRANDMOTHER AND HER BROTHERS AND SISTERS CAME TRUE.

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief

Date learned: 03-31-1971

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CHRISTMAS RELIGIOUS CUSTOM

THE MORAVIANS CELEBRATE WHAT IS CALLED A
"LOVE FEAST" AT CHRISTMAS TIME. RIGHT INSIDE
THEIR CHURCH EACH PERSON RECEIVES A CANDLE, SWEET
ROLL, AND CUP OF COFFEE.

Where learned: TOLD AT COLLECTORS HOME

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Menus
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Church

Date learned: 04-00-1970

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CHRISTMAS - CUSTOM

THE POLISH EACH YEAR AT XMAS TAKE A BASKET
OF FOOD TO BE BLESSED BY THE PRIEST.

Data entry tech comment:

Informant and collector share the same surname.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT COLLECTORS HOME

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas Season See F645.2 for Advent Season.
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Church

Date learned: 04-00-1970

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FESTIVAL: PASTERKA

PASTERKA: THE NAME FOR THE SPECIAL MASS WITH POLISH HYMNS AND
LITURGY ON XMAS EVE.

Where learned: TOLD AT INFORMANT'S HOME

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F122
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Church

Date learned: 10-00-1968

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ON XMAS EVE, A DISH CALLED "KUTYA" IS SERVED TO MEMBERS OF THE
FAMILY. THE HEAD OF THE FAMILY TAKES A SPOONFUL AND TOSSES IT OVER
HIS BACK TOWARDS THE CEILING AND IF IT STICKS, GOOD LUCK RESULTS.

Submitter comment: THIS IS A UKRAINIAN CUSTOM

Where learned: HOME

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM ; PREDICTION

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Predictions
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Single dishes

Date learned: 10-00-1968

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WITCH TALE

"MY MOTHER TOLD ME THAT ONE TIME A TURTLE WAS EATING ALL THE SOUR
CREAM AND EACH DAY IT WAS DISAPPEARING AND THEY COULDN'T FIND OUT
WHERE IT WAS GOING. SO ONE DAY THEY GOT CLOSE ENOUGH TO FIND WHAT
WAS GETTING AT THE CREAM. THEY SAW IT WAS A TURTLE. SO THEY BEAT
IT WITH A WIDE SHOVEL. SO THEY DISCOVERED IN THIS TURTLE WAS AN
OLD LADY. SO HOW THEY FOUND OUT IT WAS AN OLD LADY, THEY SAW HER
WALKING DOWN THE STREET THE NEXT DAY CRIPPLED UP WITH A BACK ACHE.
SO WHEN SHE TOLD SHE WAS BEAT WITH A SHOVEL. SO SHE NEVER STOLE NO
MORE SOUR CREAM."

Submitter comment: THE MOTHER OF THE INFORMANT WAS BORN IN HUNGARY AND RAISED IN EUROPE
SHE CAME TO THE UNITED STATES AND LIVED ON A FARM IN SCRANTON, PENN.
WITH HER HUSBAND AND FAMILY.

Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR ; TOLD AT INFORMANTS HOME

Keyword(s): ANIMALS

James Callow Keyword(s): PENNSYLVANIA

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Witch Shaman

Date learned: 11-10-1970

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CUSTOM

ON XMAS (CHRISTMAS) EVE, A PLATE IS SET UP FOR EACH DECEASED
MEMBER OF THE FAMILY AT THE TRADITIONAL FAMILY DINNER.

Submitter comment:

(UKRAINIAN)

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: HOME

Keyword(s): CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; holiday ; Table Settings ; tradition

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Christmas

Date learned: 10-00-1968

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POLISH GOOD LUCK SYMBOL OF OPLATET [OPLATEK]

BREAKING OF UNLEAVENED BREAD BETWEEN
PEOPLE AT CHRISTMAS EVE MEAL TO
SIGNIFY GOOD LUCK.

Where learned: HOME

Keyword(s): BREAD ; FOOD CUSTOM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82

Date learned: 11-10-1968

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SHERLOCK HOLMES RIDDLE

SHERLOCK HOLMES DIES AND GOES TO HEAVEN AND SAINT PETER
WANTS TO FIND OUT IF THIS GUY WAS REALLY THE FAMOUS SHERLOCK
HOLMES. SO HE LINES UP EVERYONE IN HEAVEN (THEY ARE ALL NUDE)
AND ASKS HIM TO PICK OUT ADAM AND EVE. SHERLOCK SAYS, "THOSE
TWO". HOW DID HE KNOW?
-- ADAM AND EVE DID NOT HAVE ANY NAVELS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TOLD AT COLLECTORS HOME ; BIRMINGHAM

Keyword(s): BELLY BUTTON

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- Riddle Question

Date learned: 11-00-1968

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CHRISTMAS CUSTOM

OPLATEK IS A CUSTOM PRACTICED BY POLISH-AMERICANS.
A THIN WAFER OF UNLEAVENED BREAD (LIKE A EUCHARISTIC
HOST) IS DIVIDED AMONG THE FAMILY PRESENT ON CHRISTMAS
EVE AND THE INDIVIDUALS SHARE THEIR PIECE WITH EACH OTHER
WISHING ONE ANOTHER GOOD LUCK FOR THE COMING YEAR.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD ; TOLD AT COLLECTOR'S HOME

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82

Date learned: 10-25-1970

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