The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

NEW YEAR'S CUSTOMS AND CELEBRATIONS

SEVERAL DAYS BEFORE THE NEW YEAR THE CHINESE WILL
PREPARE A PASTRY. THIS IS PREPARED BY THE METHOD OF
STEMMING. IF CHILDREN ASK IF THE PASTRY IS DONE
BEFORE IT IS FULLY COOKED, THE PEOPLE BELIEVE
THAT THE PASTRY WILL NEVER BE FULLY COOKED.

Submitter comment:

INFORMANT LEARNED THIS IN TAIWAN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; 4001 W MCNICHOLS ; LANGUAGE DEPARTMENT

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM ; SPEECH TABU ; STEAMING FOOD

Date learned: 02-02-1971