The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

BELIEF

A BELIEF HELD BY SOME PEOPLE IS THAT IF TWO OR MORE FRIENDS EACH MAKE
A CUT ON THEIR BODIES, PREFERABLY THEIR ARMS OR WRISTS, AND MIX
THEIR BLOOD ON THESE CUTS, THEY WILL BECOME RELATED AS BLOOD
BROTHERS.

Submitter comment: I WAS ASKED TO PERFORM THIS ACT WITH SOME FRIENDS DURING CHILDHOOD.
I THINK THIS ACT IS BASED ON AN INDIAN WARRIOR CUSTOM WHEREBY TWO OR
MORE WARRIORS BECOME BLOOD BROTHERS IN THE INTERESTS OF MUTUAL
DEFENSE, PROTECTION, AND UNITY.

Where learned: NEW YORK ; POUGHKEEPSIE