The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

ON JANUARY 6, THE FEAST OF THE THREE KINGS, IN BELGIUM,
ALL THE YOUNG PEOPLE (TEENAGERS OR OLDER) ASSEMBLE IN
A HALL FOR A HUGE SUPPER. THE BOYS AND GIRLS ARE
SEGREGATED FOR THE DINNER. FOR DESSERT, A POUNDCAKE
WAS MADE FOR EACH GROUP, BOTH CONTAINING A DRIED BEAN
INSIDE. THE CAKES WERE SLICED AND PASSED AMONG THE
GROUPS, AND THE ONE WHOSE PIECE CONTAINED THE BEAN
WAS MADE KING AND QUEEN OF THE AFFAIR FOR THE BOYS
AND GIRLS RESPECTIVELY. THERE WAS USUALLY SOME
PLANNING DONE BY THE ONES PASSING THE CAKE, TO "RIG"
THE OUTCOME. SOMETIMES, THE ONE WHO HAD THE BEAN TRIED
TO SWALLOW IT TO KEEP FROM BECOMING THE CHOSEN ONES.

Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH

Date learned: 11-01-1970