The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

SERBIAN CHRISTMAS CUSTOM

THE SERBIAN COMMUNITY OF DUQUESNE, PENNSYLVANIA OBSERVED
THE RUSSIAN ORTHODOX 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS BY SPREADING
STRAW ON THE FLOOR, THE KITCHEN TABLE, AND THROUGHOUT THE
KITCHEN TO REPRESENT JESUS' MANGER. A BURNING CANDLE WAS
PLACED ON THE TABLE AND IT WAS CONSIDERED BAD LUCK FOR THE
ENTIRE YEAR IF THE CANDLE WENT OUT. MY MOTHER WITNESSED
THE PRACTICE IN DUQUESNE, PENNSYLVANIA AROUND 1947.

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

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK

Subject headings:

Observation
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- 39815
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- 39816
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 4
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 5
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F122
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 28 Holy Innocents
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 26 Boxing Day St. Stephen's Day
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below.
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F122
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F123
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Lights and candles
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Straw
BELIEF -- Measure of time Year
BELIEF -- Good luck
BELIEF -- Bad luck

Date learned: 09-00-1982