Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for Africa returned 28 results.
BELIEF BIRTH
WEAR AN AFRICAN FERTILITY DOLL FOR NINE ENTIRE MONTHS AND IN THE
NEXT NINE YOU WILL HAVE A BABY.
Where learned: LETTER ; TOLD IN ; SOUTH AFRICA
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration 686 Ninths / Nine BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 00-00-1965
POVERTY AND DISGRACE
POVERTY ALWAYS WISHES IT WERE DEAD WHILE DISGRACE ALWAYS
URGES IT TO LIVE ON.
Where learned: WEST AFRICA
Keyword(s): PERSONIFICATION
James Callow Keyword(s): CONTRAST
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
PROVERB
HE WHO IS WILLING TO WORK FINDS IT HARD TO WAIT.
Where learned: WEST AFRICA
Keyword(s): EAGERNESS ; THE WILLING WORKER
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR.
MONEY AND WOMEN
IF YOU HAVE MONEY, SHARE IT WITH MEN
FOR WOMEN ARE UNGRATEFUL
Where learned: WEST AFRICA
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE, POSITIVE ; SEXISM ; WEALTH, GENEROSITY, GIVING
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Blason Populaire |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
In New Guinea, it is customary to take young boys away from
their parents for a couple of days to be initiated into
manhood. Ashes are used to cover the young boy's face and body
and a fire dance and prayer are conducted. The ashes
represent the death of the young boy. The young men are now
returned back to their parents.
Submitter comment:
Robert spoke of this custom when he got back from Africa.
His gestures were mostly hands describing the way the
natives were conducting the ceremony.
Where learned: Africa
Keyword(s): Trial, Growing-up.
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 00-00-1949
LIVING CUSTOMS OF EAST AFRICA
IN EAST AFRICA, CHILDREN ARE NEVER ALLOWED TO LEAVE
HOME UNTIL THEY ARE MARRIED. IN THE CASE OF BOYS, THEY
USUALLY BRING THEIR BRIDE HOME TO LIVE TOGETHER WITH
HIS PARENTS.
Submitter comment: AS TOLD TO ME BY MISS HAJI.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Africa
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Date learned: 01-02-1970
TWO CALABASHES
TWO CALABASHES CANNOT REMAIN ON THE WATER WITHOUT TOUCHING EACH
OTHER.
Where learned: WEST AFRICA
Keyword(s): CALABASHES=GOURDS?
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
THE VULTURE AND BALDNESS
A VULTURE DOES NOT SELL ANY MEDICINE FOR CURING BALDNESS.
Where learned: WEST AFRICA
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
PROVERB: THE CHATTERBOX
WHOEVER TALKS ABOUT WHAT DOES NOT CONCERN HIM OFTEN HEARS WHAT
DOES NOT PLEASE HIM.
Where learned: WEST AFRICA
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
SUPERSTITION
DRINKING WATER FROM THE LAVATORY MAKES A MAN A LIAR.
Submitter comment:
THIS EAST AFRICAN BELIEF IS INTENDED TO DISCOURAGE AN UNWHOLESOME
HABIT.
Where learned: TANZANIA ; EAST AFRICA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 03-00-1982
IF A MAN DRINKS WATER AT NIGHT AND LEAVES THE VESSEL UNCOVERED, HIS
SOUL WILL PLUNGE INTO IT DURING THE NIGHT, AND IF SOMEONE
ACCIDENTALLY PUTS ON THE LID, HE WILL DIE AT ONCE.
Submitter comment:
THIS EAST AFRICAN BELIEF RELATES TO HEALTH HABITS AND THE NEED TO
KEEP DRINKING WATER PURE.
Where learned: TANZANIA ; EAST AFRICA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 03-00-1982
IT IS FORBIDDEN TO DRINK WATER FROM A LADLE WITHOUT VIGOROUSLY
SHAKING IT FIRST.
Submitter comment:
THIS EAST AFRICAN BELIEF CONVEYS A USEFUL HABIT, FOR IT IS IMPORTANT
TO ENSURE THAT THE LADLE IS CLEAN AND FREE FROM INSECTS.
Where learned: TANZANIA ; EAST AFRICA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 03-00-1982
SUPERSTITION
TO EAT IN THE DARK IS TO EAT WITH THE DEVIL.
Submitter comment:
THIS AFRICAN SUPERSTITION IS RELATED TO HEALTHFUL EATING HABITS, AND
DISCOURAGES EATING IN THE DARK FOR OBVIOUS REASONS.
Where learned: TANZANIA ; EAST AFRICA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour BELIEF -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. |
Date learned: 03-00-1982
HE WHO EATS WHILE STANDING ON THE DOOR-STEP WILL BE KNOCKED DOWN BY A
DEVIL.
Submitter comment:
THIS EAST AFRICAN BELIEF IS MEANT TO DISCOURAGE THE HABIT OF EATING
IN ABNORMAL PLACES.
Where learned: TANZANIA ; EAST AFRICA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. |
Date learned: 03-00-1982
HE WHO EATS SWEET FOOD WHILE WALKING WILL BE POSSESSED OF A DEVIL.
Submitter comment:
THIS EAST AFRICAN BELIEF IS MEANT TO DISCOURAGE EATING IN UNUSUAL
PLACES.
Where learned: TANZANIA ; EAST AFRICA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. |
Date learned: 03-00-1982
IF YOU TREAD ON FOOD DELIBERATELY YOU WILL GET ELEPHANTIASIS.
Submitter comment:
THIS EAST AFRICAN BELIEF HAS RELIGIOUS OVERTONES RELATING TO THE
ABHORRENCE OF WASTE.
Where learned: TANZANIA ; EAST AFRICA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 03-00-1982
IF A MAN GOES TO BED WITHOUT WASHING HIS FEET, THE SOLES OF HIS FEET
WILL BE LICKED BY THE DEVIL.
Submitter comment: THIS EAST AFRICAN BELIEF IS MEANT TO ENCOURAGE PERSONAL CLEANLINESS.
Where learned: TANZANIA ; EAST AFRICA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Measure of time Sleeping BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 03-00-1982
IF ONE GOES TO BED WITHOUT WASHING ONE'S FEET, THEY WILL LIE IN THE
FIRES OF HELL.
Submitter comment: THIS EAST AFRICAN BELIEF IS MEANT TO ENCOURAGE PERSONAL CLEANLINESS.
Where learned: TANZANIA ; EAST AFRICA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Measure of time Sleeping BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 03-00-1982
WEARING WET CLOTHES BRINGS POVERTY. (THIS BELIEF TEACHES PEOPLE TO
AVOID CATCHING COLD.)
Where learned: TANZANIA ; EAST AFRICA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 03-00-1982
MANY COBWEBS IN A HOUSE WILL CAUSE FORGETFULNESS. (THIS TEACHES
CLEANLINESS AND TIDINESS.)
Where learned: TANZANIA ; EAST AFRICA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 03-00-1982