Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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GEORGIA NEW YEAR'S EVE CUSTOM
"WHENEVER YOU'D GET A KNIFE AS A GIFT ON NEW YEAR'S EVE,
YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO GIVE THE PERSON A COIN IN RETURN
SO THAT YOUR FRIENDSHIP WOULDN'T BE CUT IN TWO DURING THE NEXT YEAR"
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT STATED THAT A VARIATION OF THIS CUSTOM WAS PRACTICED
BY BRANCHES OF HER FAMILY IN WHICH THE CUSTOM WAS EXTENDED
TO INCLUDE OTHER HOLIDAYS AND BIRTHDAYS.
Where learned: OHIO ; FLORIDA ; ALLIANCE ; EUSTIS
Date learned: 11-13-1980 ; 00001920S
GEORGIA NEW YEAR'S DAY CUSTOM
"WE'D ALWAYS EAT BLACK EYED PEAS FOR DINNER ON NEW YEAR'S DAY,
SERVED EITHER WITH HAM OR HOG JOWLS, BECAUSE IT WOULD BRING
GOOD LUCK FOR THE NEXT YEAR".
Where learned: OHIO ; FLORIDA ; ALLIANCE ; EUSTIS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals |
Date learned: 11-13-1980 ; 00001920S
GEORGIA CHRISTMAS TREE CUSTOM
"IT WAS BAD LUCK TO HAVE YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE
UP AFTER NEW YEAR'S EVE"
Where learned: OHIO ; FLORIDA ; ALLIANCE ; EUSTIS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas tree BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 11-13-1980 ; 00001920S
ON NEW YEAR'S DAY, MY GRANDMOTHER INSISTS THAT EVERYONE AT
HER DINNER TABLE EAT BOILED CABBAGE AT THE MAIN MEAL. SHE SAYS
THAT IT WILL BRING GOOD LUCK FOR THE ENTIRE YEAR.
Submitter comment:
MY GRANDMOTHER WAS ALWAYS VERY ADAMANT ABOUT THIS BELIEF,
AND THIS ALWAYS ANNOYED ME BECAUSE I DETESTED BOILED CABBAGE.
Where learned: EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals BELIEF -- Good luck Food and drink |
Date learned: 10-00-1983
MY GRANDMOTHER EXPLAINED THAT IN ITALY, WHERE SHE WAS BORN,
IT WAS A PRACTICE TO PIERCE THE EARS OF LITTLE BABIES, BOTH
BOYS AND GIRLS. THE BELIEF BEHIND THIS CUSTOM WAS THAT IT
WOULD HELP TO MAINTAIN GOOD HEARING FOR THE CHILD THROUGHOUT
HIS OR HER LIFE.
Submitter comment:
I FIND IT INTERESTING THAT THIS WAS SUCH A HIGHLY
RESPECTED CUSTOM FOR BOTH BOYS AND GIRLS, BECAUSE NOW WE
SOMETIMES THINK IT STRANGE FOR A MAN TO HAVE A PIERCED EAR.
Where learned: EAST DETROIT
Date learned: 10-00-1983
MY AUNT ANGIE EXPLAINED TO ME THAT IT IS BAD LUCK TO
LEAVE SHOES ON ANY KIND OF TABLE. SHE INSISTS THAT SHOES
MUST BE LEFT ON THE FLOOR. SHE EMPHASIZED THIS ESPECIALLY FOR
NEW SHOES.
Where learned: EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Good luck Furniture (bed, table, chair, etc.) BELIEF -- Good luck Clothing (dress, hat, shoes, suit, etc.) |
Date learned: 10-00-1983
AS ADOLESCENTS WE IMPROVISED ON THE GAME OF HIDE AND
GO SEEK, BY PLAYING IN THE DARK. THIS ADDS MORE
EXCITEMENT AND INTEREST TO THE GAME WE LEARN AS
CHILDREN.
Where learned: EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Bodily Activity Song: Game, Pastime, Sport |
Date learned: 12-00-1983
MY GRANDMOTHER BELIEVES IT IS GOOD LUCK
FOR YOU AND YOUR NEW CAR TO POUR SALT(TABLE) ON IT.
Where learned: EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 11-00-1983
THERE IS A DRINKING GAME CALLED QUARTERS.
THE OBJECT OF THE GAME IS TO TRY AND BOUNCE
THE QUARTER INTO THE GLASS. IF YOU ARE SUCCESSFUL
YOU CAN TELL SOMEONE TO DRINK, IF NOT
YOU MUST DRINK YOURSELF.
Where learned: EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Bodily Activity Song: Game, Pastime, Sport |
Date learned: 11-00-1983
MARRIAGE CEREMONIES ARE VERY DIFFERENT IN PAKISTAN THAN
IN THE UNITED STATES. THE BRIDES DO NOT WEAR A WHITE DRESS
AS WHITE IS A SAD COLOR. THE BRIDES WEAR A DRESS THAT IS
IN THE RED FAMILY, EITHER RED, MAROON, PINK OR BURGUNDY ETC.
RED IS CONSIDERED A FESTIVE COLOR AND THE BRIDE REALLY
STICKS OUT IN THE CROWD. ALSO, THE BRIDAL OUTFIT IS MADE
FOR THE BRIDE BY BOTH HER PARENTS AND THE GROOM'S PARENTS.
IT IS STRICTLY HERS, NO ONE ELSE WILL EVER WEAR IT, UNLIKE IN
THE U.S. A GIRL MAY WEAR HER MOTHER'S DRESS.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT WAS TALKING ABOUT THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE UNITED
STATES AND HIS COUNTRY OF PAKISTAN.
Where learned: LAHORE ; PAKISTAN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage BELIEF -- Color |
Date learned: 11-00-1987
CHAINED CHARLIE
CHAINED CHARLIE WAS MURDERED IN A CEMETERY BY GRAVE ROBBERS.
HE WAS CHAINED TO A TREE, WHERE HE WAS CUT ON VARIOUS PARTS OF
HIS BODY AND LEFT THERE TO BLEED TO DEATH, SO NOW WHENEVER THERE ARE
TRESPASSERS IN THE CEMETERY, HE WILL RISE FROM THE DEAD AND CHASE
THE INTRUDERS OUT OF THE CEMETERY.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT WAS A VERY EASY TO TALK TO AND A VERY NICE PERSON.
Where learned: DETROIT ; NORWEST THEATER
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
CONVERSATIONS FROM THE DEAD
GO TO THE CEMETERY AND STICK A PIN INTO SOMEONE'S GRAVE AND YOU
SHOULD HEAR THE CONVERSATIONS OF THE EVIL SPIRITS.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT WAS VERY INFORMATIVE AND HAD A GOOD MEMORY.
Where learned: DETROIT ; NORWEST THEATER
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 01-30-1984
MRS.MERRIWEATHER
CUT OFF ALL OF THE LIGHTS IN THE HOUSE AND STAND IN FRONT OF A
MIRROR AND SAY 15 TIMES, WHILE TURNING AROUND IN A 360 DEGREE
CIRCLE, MRS. MERRIWEATHER, MRS. MERRIWEATHER; AND HER BLOODY
FACE WILL APPEAR BEFORE YOU.
Submitter comment: NO ONE HAS REACHED 15 TIMES, ALL WERE AFRAID OF IT.
Where learned: DETROIT ; NORWEST THEATER
James Callow Keyword(s): CONJURATION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Circle and other round forms BELIEF -- P689 P689.1 SPEECH -- FamilyGroup |
Date learned: 01-30-1984
TO CALL BACK SOMEONE YOU LOVE FROM THE DEAD
PLACE A LETTER WRITTEN TO A DECEASED MEMBER OF THE FAMILY ON TOP
OF A GLASS OF WATER AND PLACE IT UNDER YOUR BED. YOUR BELOVED ONE
WILL COME AND VISIT YOU IN PEACE. BEWARE: NEVER PERFORM THIS TASK
ON A FULL MOON NIGHT OR EVIL SPIRITS WILL HAUNT YOU.
Where learned: DETROIT ; NORWEST THEATER
James Callow Keyword(s): CONJURATION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Moon BELIEF -- Word Letter |
Date learned: 01-30-1984
ARMY COOKIN' RHYME
THEY SAY THAT IN THE ARMY THE COOKIN'S MIGHTY FINE, IT LOOKS LIKE
IT LOOKS LIKE MUDDY WATER AND TASTE LIKE TRUPENTINE.
Where learned: DETROIT ; NORWEST THEATER
James Callow Keyword(s): COOKING
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse C730.429 Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Food Drink |
Date learned: 01-30-1984
ARMY BISCUIT RHYME
THEY SAY THAT IN THE ARMY THE BISCUITS MIGHTY FINE, ONE ROLLED OFF
ONE ROLLED OFF A TABLE AND KILLED A FRIEND OF MINE.
Where learned: DETROIT ; NORWEST THEATER
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse C730.429 Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Food Drink C855.244 |
Date learned: 01-30-1984
TO KEEP YOUR MAN THROUGH HIS STOMACH
IF YOU WANT TO KEEP YOUR MAN, HUSBAND, OR BOYFRIEND; COOK HIM SOME
DINNER CONSISTING OF TOMATO SAUCE IN NOODLES OR WHATEVER YOU
PREFER. BUT THE SAUCE HAS TO BE RED! YOU ARE TO TAKE TWO TEASPOONS
OF YOUR MENSTRUAL BLOOD AND ADD IT TO THE SAUCE. HE WILL NEVER
LEAVE YOU EVER BUT YOU CAN NOT LEAVE HIM EITHER BECAUSE HE WILL BE
OBSESSED WITH YOU.
Where learned: DETROIT ; NORWEST THEATER
| Subject headings: | 686 Seconds / Twice / Two Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Color |
Date learned: 01-30-1984
THE SIGNATURE FROM THE DEAD
HELEN'S GIRLFRIEND'S MOTHER WAS MARRIED AND HAD HER AND A SON.
SHE AND HER HUSBAND WERE SEPARATED AND HE MOVED TO PITTSBURGH.
HE DIED AND SHE APPLIED FOR SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS FOR HER
FAMILY. THE SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICIALS REQUESTED A SIGNATURE ON A
DOCUMENT OF THE DECEASED, TO PROVE THAT HE HAD FATHERED HER KIDS.
SHE BEING A TRUE BELIEVER IN BLACK MAGIC, DECIDED TO RETRIEVE HIS
SIGNATURE FROM THE DEAD. SO SHE AND THREE OF HER FRIENDS WENT
TO PITTSBURGH AND THEN WENT TO HIS GRAVE THAT NIGHT. THEY EACH SAT
ON A CORNER OF HIS GRAVE AND HAD A SEANCE. HE SPOKE THROUGH HIS
WIDOW AND ASK WHY DID THEY COME? THEY REQUESTED HIS SIGNATURE ON
THE DOCUMENT AND THEY PLACED THE DOCUMENT ON THE GRAVE AND THE
SIGNATURE APPEARED.
Where learned: DETROIT ; NORWEST THEATER
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color |
Date learned: 01-30-1984
IF YOU DROP A COIN IN THE HOUSE, LEAVE IT WHERE IT IS ALL
DAY FOR GOOD LUCK.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: NASHVILLE ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 06-00-1972
A BLACK BANTAM CHICKEN KEEPS AWAY EVIL.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: NASHVILLE ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Color BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 06-00-1972