The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

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."

Submitter comment: THIS IS A CUSTOM OF THE BAHAMA NEGROES IN THE MIAMI LABOR

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; FLORIDA ; BAHAMAS ; NASHVILLE ; MIAMI ; PEABODY COLLEGE LIBRARY

James Callow Keyword(s): BIBLE GENESIS

Date learned: 05-09-1969