The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

PREVENTION OF LIGHTENING

IN RABKA, A POPULAR RESORT IN THE TATRA MOUNTAINS OF POLAND, MY
GRANDMOTHER RECALLS THAT IT WAS THE PRACTICE OF THE PEOPLE TO
RING THE BELLS IN THE CHURCH TOWER WHENEVER A THUNDER STORM
CAME. THE BELLS WOULD BE RUNG ALL THROUGH THE STORM SO THAT
LIGHTENING WOULD NOT STRIKE IN THE AREA, AND LIGHTENING HAS NEVER
BEEN KNOWN TO STRIKE WHEN THIS PRACTICE WAS DONE.

Submitter comment: MY GRANDMOTHER REMEMBERS THIS FROM THE TIMES SHE VACATIONED IN
RABKA, POLAND.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

Date learned: 10-22-1967