The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

IT IS FORBIDDEN FOR A PREGNANT WOMAN TO WALK ABOUT
IN A SUNNY DAY OR SIT UNDER A TREE, BECAUSE EVIL SPIRITS
WALK ABOUT IN THE SUNNY DAY AND THEY ALSO
HOLD MEETINGS UNDER THE TREE.
IF A PREGNANT WOMAN IGNORES THIS WARNING, AN EVIL SPIRIT WILL ENTER
HER TUMMY AND DRIVE AWAY THE REAL CHILD. THUS, SHE WILL GIVE
BIRTH TO A DEVIL-POSSESSED CHILD. THE CHILD WILL TORTURE
HER PARENTS WITH THE EVIL SPIRIT, AND DIE IN INFANCY.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT LOOKED SERIOUS WHEN NARRATING THIS ITEM.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings:

CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth
BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial

Date learned: 00-00-1958