The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

BELIEF - CUSTOM

THE WIFE WHO IS DELIVERING, PULLS ON AN OLD SWEATY SHIRT OF
HUSBAND'S TO RECEIVE STRENGTH FOR DELIVERY. IT'S TIED ON
THE FOOT OF THE BED. THE BAHAMA NEGROES TAKE THIS BELIEF
FROM THE FOLLOWING SCRIPTURE: "BY THE SWEAT OF THY BROW
SHALT THOU EARN BREAD."(GEN. 3-CURSE ON ADAM). "IN SORROW
SHALT THOU LABOR ALL THY DAYS." WIFE'S CURSE-"IN SORROW
SHALT THOU BRING FORTH CHILDREN." THIS IS A CUSTOM OF THE
BAHAMA NEGORES IN THE MIAMI AREA LABOR CAMPS.

Where learned: NOT GIVEN ; LIBRARY