The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

BLACK MEMBERS OF THE MARINE CORPS HAVE ADOPTED CERTAIN BLACK
MUSLIM HANDSHAKES AS A FORM OF GREETING. THEY ARE QUITE
COMPLICATED, AND INDIVIDUALS ARE FREE TO DEVELOP THEIR OWN
VARIATIONS. THE RIGHT HAND IS HELD IN A FIST AND THE TWO
PEOPLE STRIKE THEIR FISTS TOGETHER RAPIDLY IN COMBINATIONS
OF SIDE, FRONT, TOP, AND BOTTOM, AND USUALLY END BY OPENING
THEIR FISTS AND GRASPING ONE ANOTHER'S HANDS. SOME WEAR
LEATHER BRACELETS WITH FRINGE OR TASSELS HANGING FROM THEM,
AND THESE FLY ABOUT RHYTHMICALLY DURING THE HANDSHAKE.
WHEN THE GREETING IS BETWEEN A BOY AND A GIRL, SOME FORM OF
LIGHT KISS IS OFTEN INCLUDED IN THE HANDSHAKE.

Submitter comment: I HAVE SEEN SITUATIONS MANY TIMES WHERE A BLACK PERSON
WOULD COME UP TO A TABLE OF AS MANY AS A DOZEN OTHER BLACK
PEOPLE AND GIVE SUCH A HANDSHAKE TO EACH ONE, A PROCESS
OF PERHAPS 5 MINUTES ALTOGETHER.

Where learned: CALIFORNIA ; SAN DIEGO

James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION

Date learned: 09-00-1970