The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

SWITCHING DAY

ACCORDING TO AN OLD POLISH CUSTOM, THE MONDAY AFTER
EASTER IS CALLED, "SWITCHING DAY." ON THIS DAY IN THE
MORNING, A BOY GOES OUT AND CUTS A SWITCH FROM A BUSH.
HE GOES TO A GIRL'S HOUSE WHERE HER MOTHER LETS HIM IN,
AND HE SWITCHES THE GIRL. WHEN HE IS DONE, THE
MOTHER PAYS HIM FOR SWITCHING HER DAUGHTER.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT FIRST HEARD OF THIS CUSTOM AT ABOUT THE
AGE OF FIVE FROM HER MOTHER; THE FIRST TIME THAT HER
MALE COUSIN CAME OVER TO SWITCH HER. SHE REMEMBERS
BEING SWITCHED TILL ABOUT THE AGE OF NINE OR TEN,
WHEN SHE FINALLY LOCKED HERSELF IN THE BATHROOM ON
THE MORNING OF SWITCHING DAY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIBRARY ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT