The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

EASTER CUSTOM

IT IS A LONG, TRADITIONAL CEREMONY IN MY FAMILY, WHICH IS ITALIAN,
TO ASK THE BLESSING OF ALL OLDER MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY ON EASTER
SUNDAY. THE FAMILY LINES UP ACCORDING TO AGE, AND THEN EACH
INDIVIDUAL, AS HIS TURN APPROACHES, KISSES THE HAND AND ASKS THE
BLESSING OF THE PEOPLE OLDER THAN HIM. HE THEN TAKES HIS PLACE IN
LINE, WITH THOSE YOUNGER THEN ( THAN ) HIMSELF DOING THE SAME, AND
ON DOWN THE LINE UNTIL THE END.

Submitter comment: THIS HAS BEEN PRACTICED BY MY FAMILY EVERY EASTER SUNDAY FOR AS LONG
AS I CAN REMEMBER. IT IS CONSIDERED THE TIME FOR FORGIVING ALL SINS.
AND FORGETTING ALL DISAGREEMENTS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

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HANDS DOWN

DR. BOURNE HAS TREATED PATIENTS WHO BELIEVE THAT A PREGNANT
WOMEN SHOULD NEVER PLACE HER HANDS ABOVE HER HEAD FOR FEAR
THAT THE CORD WILL WRAP AROUND THE BABY'S NECK.

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; CAMDEN

Date learned: 07-00-1968

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THE CARROT MARCH

ON THE NIGHT BEFORE EASTER MORNING, WHEN THE CHILDREN PUT OUT THEIR
EASTER BASKETS FOR THE EASTER BUNNY TO FILL WITH CANDY, ALL THOSE WHO
WISH TO PARTICIPATE ARE EACH GIVEN A CARROT. THESE CARROTS ARE
HELD AT CHEST LEVEL POINTED VERTICALLY. THEN THE MARCH BEGINS. THE
HEAD OF THE HOUSE LEADS FOR AWHILE AND THEN ANOTHER DESIGNATED PARTY.
THE PARTICIPANTS WALK IN SINGLE FILE, FOLLOWING THE LEADER
WHEREVER HE GOES. A CHANT IS SUNG BY ALL PARTICIPANTS. IT GOES--
"OREO--OREO" IN A DEEP VOICE.

Submitter comment:

OUR FAMILY DOES THIS.

Data entry tech comment:

Informant and collector are the same person. Instructor asked if her father or grandfather did this as children, and she said no, just her family.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM

Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

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