The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

DUNKING DAYS

CHILDREN IN PENNSYLVANIA CELEBRATE DUNKING
DAYS ON TWO CONSECUTIVE SUNDAYS IN MAY OR JUNE
AROUND WHITSUNDAY. ON THE FIRST SUNDAY, THE
BOYS ATTEMPT TO WET THE GIRLS WITH WATER. ON
THE FOLLOWING SUNDAY, THE GIRLS ATTEMPT TO WET
THE BOYS. I DON'T KNOW WHEN I FIRST HEARD ABOUT
THIS CUSTOM, BUT MY MOTHER TOLD ME THAT SHE CELEBRATED
DUNKING DAYS IN DUQUESNE, PENNSYLVANIA AROUND 1945.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT ADVISES THAT HER MOTHER'S NAME IS
MARY MORSILLO GINGERICH, BORN OCTOBER 3, 1937,
FARRELL, PENNSYLVANIA.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK

James Callow Keyword(s): SEXISM

Date learned: 09-00-1982