The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

LEBANESE WAKES

THE WAKES WERE ALWAYS AT A HALL. AT THE WAKES, THE
MOURNERS WOULD STAY ALL NIGHT AT THE HALL; THERE WERE
ALWAYS WAILERS--DIFFERENT WOMEN WOULD BEGIN WAILING
AND LAMENT THE (DEATH) OF THE RECENT BELOVED. MOST
OF THE MOURNERS THEN WOULD TAKE UP THE CHANT OF THE
ORIGINAL WAILER AND WAIL.

Submitter comment: HER RELATIVES AND FRIENDS DID THIS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 04-15-1967