The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

MY GRANDMOTHER EXPLAINED THAT IN ITALY, WHERE SHE WAS BORN,
IT WAS A PRACTICE TO PIERCE THE EARS OF LITTLE BABIES, BOTH
BOYS AND GIRLS. THE BELIEF BEHIND THIS CUSTOM WAS THAT IT
WOULD HELP TO MAINTAIN GOOD HEARING FOR THE CHILD THROUGHOUT
HIS OR HER LIFE.

Submitter comment: I FIND IT INTERESTING THAT THIS WAS SUCH A HIGHLY
RESPECTED CUSTOM FOR BOTH BOYS AND GIRLS, BECAUSE NOW WE
SOMETIMES THINK IT STRANGE FOR A MAN TO HAVE A PIERCED EAR.

Where learned: EAST DETROIT

Subject headings:

ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Human or animal body
BELIEF -- Body part Senses Ears, noise in ear
BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness
BELIEF -- Use of Object Human beings and their activities

Date learned: 10-00-1983