Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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TAPE OF MISCELLANOUS INFORMATION
INVENTORY OF TAPE;NIGERIAN FUNERALS,NAMING CEREMONY, WEDDINGS,
CARE OF TEETH, PARTIES FOR I6-AND 2!-YEAR-OLDS,CONFIRMATION
EATING CUSTOMS, BEHAVIOR AND ATTITUDES OF NIGERIANS BACK FROM ABROAD,
CELEBRATION OF APRIL FOOLS BEFORE NOON
Where learned: NIGERIA ; POSSIBLY SOMETHING ABOUT IRELAND
TAPE OF MISCELLANOUS INFORMATION
GHOATS, MONETARY SYSTEM,(NIARA & KOBO) DISEASES, WALKING BAREFOOTED,
CARRYING THINGS ON YOUR HEAD, GHOSTS OF CHILDREN, SUPERSTITIONS:
NIGERIAN SUPERSTITION, THEIR ORIGIN, JUJU, MAKING MONEY
USING HEAD OF CHILD, BANSHEE IN IRELAND, NIGERIAN LIGHTENING,
OMENS, CHARMS, GAMES, (MOTHER MAY I?)
WATER DANGEROUS FOR SWIMMING, AMDG FOR LUCK, FESTIVALS
Where learned: NIGERIA ; SOME FROM IRELAND
Date learned: OOOOI96OS
EYO FESTIVAL
DURING THE EYO FESTIVAL IN LAGOS NO ONE IS PERMITTED TO WEAR SHOES.
PEOPLE DRESSED IN WHITE COSTUMES WITH BLACK COWBOY LOOKING HATS RUN
THROUGH THE STREET ALL DAY CARRYING BROOMS SIMILAR TO WHISK BROOMS
AND IF THEY SEE ANYONE WEARING SHOES THEY WILL HIT YOU WITH THESE
BROOMS.
THEY ALSO STOP CARS.
THEY WILL HIT YOU UNTIL YOU GIVE THEM A GIFT OF MONEY OR SOMETHING
ELSE
Submitter comment:
I JUST HAPPENED TO BE IN LAGOS ON THE DAY OF THIS FESTIVAL
AND I SAW ALL THESE KIDS RUNNING AROUND CHASING PEOPLE AND I GOT
SCARED.
MY BOYFRIEND ENEV TOLD ME WE HAD BETTER HEAD BACK TO EBUTE-METTA.
HE WAS NOT SCARED, BUT HE DID SO FOR MY SAKE.
THESE PEOPLE WILL HIT YOU ALL OVER YOUR BODY.
Where learned: NIGERIA ; LAGOS
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Custom CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Typical Elements of a Festive Pattern |
NEW YEAR'S DAY IN LAGOS, NIGERIA
IN PREPARING FOR THE NEW YEAR ON DECEMBER 31 EVERYONE DRINKS A LOT A
GOES TO BED VERY LATE, BUT THIS ISN'T THE BIG EVENT.
AT 6:00 A.M. ON JANUARY 1 WE ALL AWOKE TO THE SOUND OF A CANNON
GOING OFF.
IN ABOUT 20 MINUTES EVERYONE IN THE VILLAGE MUST BE IN THE VILLAGE
SQUARE.
THE VOODOO MAN IS ABOUT TO ARRIVE.
HE IS DRESSED IN ANIMAL SKINS AND MATERIALS WITH A ANIMAL HEAD AND
HORNS.
NOTHING ON HIM IS VISIBLE.
HIS MAIN OBJECT AT THIS TIME IS TO CHASE EVERYONE AND IF HE
CATCHES YOU HE WILL HIT YOU WITH A SWITCH.
HE CARRIES BIG KNIVES THAT HE SWINGS BACK AND FORTH AND HE THROWS
THEM THROUGH THE AIR.
HE SEARCHES HOUSE FOR HOUSE TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE IS PFESENT.
IF YOU ARE SCARED TO COME OUT HE WILL COME IN AND BRING YOU OUT.
THROUGHOUT THE DAY EVERYONE FORMS ONTO GROUPS AND GOES ABOUT
SINGING AND DANCING AND DRINKING.
TOWARDS THE END OF THE DAY HE GOES FROM HOUSE TO HOUSE
TO RECIEVE GIFTS OF MONEY AND HE BLESSES THE HOUSE AND ANY
SMALL KIDS.
IF YOU GET NEAR THE WATER HE WILL NOT COME AFTER YOU.
Submitter comment:
THE SIGHT OF THE VOODOO MAN WAS TOO MUCH FOR ME.
I TRIED TO HIDE IN MY ROOM AND LOCK THE DOOR, BUT HE CAME WITH HIS
FOLLOWERS AND GOT ME.
WORD HAD SPREAD FROM DAY ONE THAT AN AMERICAN HAD COME TO THE
VILLAGE.
I DID EVENTUALLY JOIN IN AND FOLLOW THE CROWD.
Where learned: NIGERIA ; LAGOS
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve |
Date learned: 10-00-1979
COSTUMES IN LAGOS, NIGERIA
GOING TO THE MARKET IN LAGOS IS MUCH LIKE GOING TO THE
EASTERN MARKET. A FOREIGNER CAN BE RECOGNIZED BY MANY MEANS, BUT
NOTHING GIVES HER AWAY MORE THAN HER DRESS CODE.
NIGERIAN WOMEN DO NOT WEAR PANTS MORE THAN TWICE A YEAR. THEY WEAR
WRAPS OF VARIOUS COLORS, DESIGNS AND SIZES. THESE PIECES OF
MATERIAL ARE WRAPPED ABOUT THE WAIST, SOME LONGER THAN OTHERS AND
SOMETIMES AS MANY AS THREE. SOMETIMES THE MATERIAL IS TAKEN TO A
DRESS MAKER TO BE SEWN INTO A SIMPLE JUMPER. THE FINER THE
MATERIAL, THE RICHER THE PERSON. THE BLOUSES THEY WEAR WITH
THESE ARE OF EYELIT MATERIAL
Where learned: NIGERIA ; LAGOS
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Dress |
Date learned: 10-00-1979
FOOD
AWO-CHEESE FOOD USED AS CHEESE IS USED IN AMERICA. MADE
FROM DAIRY PRODUCTS.
Where learned: NIGERIA
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime |
Date learned: 01-10-0198
CRIBBAGE
A GAME PLAYED LIKE CHESS. THE BOARD HAS HOLES IN IT WITH
PEGS IN THE HOLES. THE PLAYERS HAVE TO REMOVE ALL
PEGS BEFORE THEY ARE REMOVED BY THE OPPONENT. MOVES ARE
MADE IN THE SAME MANNER AS MOVES IN CHESS.
Where learned: NIGERIA
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 01-10-0198
GARI
GREENS FROM A PLANT ROOT PREPARED LIKE FARINA.
Where learned: NIGERIA
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Plant food |
Date learned: 01-10-0198
FOOD
HOT PEPPERS ARE USED TO CURE ILLNESS, SUCH AS COLDS,
UPSET STOMACH AND SORE THROATS. IT IS NOT COOKED.
Where learned: NIGERIA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Animal |
Date learned: 01-10-0198
CHILDREN-DAY
THIS DAY IS CELEBRATED ON MAY 27, OF EVERY YEAR. ALL
STUDENTS ARE DISMISSED FROM SCHOOL. THEY PARTAKE IN THE
ACTIVITIES FOR THAT DAY. ON THIS DAY CHILDREN EVERYWHERE
COME TOGETHER IN THE STREETS OF NIGERIA AND PARADE.
THEY DANCE, SING, MARCH, PLAY VARIOUS GAMES AND EAT FOOD
PREPARED BY THE DIFFERENT FAMILIES FREE OF CHARGE.
Submitter comment:
THIS INFOMANT WAS VERY LEARY OF MY INTERVIEW. HE COULD
NOT UNDERSTAND WHY I WANT TO INTERVIEW HIM. IT WAS ALSO
HARD FOR ME TO INTERPRET WHAT HE WAS SAYING AT TIMES.
Where learned: NIGERIA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- May 27 |
Date learned: 01-10-0198
NAMES OF TWINS
IN NIGERIA, TWINS HAVE SPECIAL NAMES. THE FIRST CHILD THAT COMES OUT
DURING BIRTH BETWEEN THE TWINS IS CALLED TAIWO. THE LAST TO COME
OUT IS CALLED KEHINDE. IF AFTER SOMETIMES THE MOTHER IS PREGNANT AND
HAS ANOTHER CHILD AFTER THE TWINS HE/SHE WILL BE CALLED IDOWU. IF SHE
HAS ANOTHER CHILD AGAIN HE/SHE WILL BE CALLED ALABA.
Where learned: NIGERIA ; LAGOS
| Subject headings: | Person / Nickname |
IT IS FORBIDDEN FOR A PERSON TO LOOK INTO A MIRROR WHILE IT IS
RAINING AND THUNDERING. WHOEVER DOES SO WILL BE KILLED BY THAT
THUNDER.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT SAID IT WITH ASSURANCE
Where learned: NIGERIA ; KABBA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Weather sign or control BELIEF -- Lightning Thunder BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
IF SOMETHING IS STOLEN, AND THERE ARE MANY SUSPECTS, YOU CAN KNOW
THE REAL PERSON THAT STOLE THE ITEM BY DOING THIS SIMPLE TEST.
OPEN THE BIBLE TO JOB CHAPTER SEVENTEEN, PLACE A KEY IN THAT
SECTION, AND USE A ROPE TO TIE THE KEY AND THE BIBLE TOGETHER.
LET EACH OF THE SUSPECT SWEAR SAYING THUS, "IF I TAKE THE LOST ITEM
LET ME BE MENTALLY SICK IMMEDIATELY". IF THE PERSON WHO STOLE THE
ITEM SAYS THIS, HE WILL BECOME MENTALLY SICK WITH IMMEDIATE
EFFECT.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT LOOKED SERIOUS WHILE NARRATING THE ITEM.
Where learned: NIGERIA ; LAGOS
James Callow Keyword(s): DETECTION OF THIEF ; THEFT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Curse BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 02-00-1967
IF A MAN HAS NEVER INDULGED IN A SEXUAL ACT BEFORE AND HAS NOT
COMMITED ANY SINS, HE CAN HAVE A SUPERNATURAL POWER. SUCH PEOPLE
CAN HEAR THE BIRDS AND ANIMALS WHILE TALKING.
Where learned: NIGERIA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Supernatural Being BELIEF -- Witch Shaman BELIEF -- Animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1969
THERE IS A TRIBE IN THE NORTHERN PART OF NIGERIA CALLED FULANI.
IF A YOUNG MAN FROM THIS TRIBE WANTS TO MARRY, A CERTAIN RITUAL
WILL BE PERFORMED FOR HIM WHICH THE WHOLE VILLAGE WILL WITNESS.
THE YOUNG MAN WHO WANTS TO MARRY WILL PULL OFF HIS CLOTHES EXCEPT
HIS SHORT PANTS, AND HE WILL BE GIVEN SEVERAL LASHES OF CANE AT THE
BACK. IF HE CRIES, HE WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO MARRY, BECAUSE IT IS
ASSUMED THAT HE IS NOT MATURED TO MARRY. BUT IF HE DOES NOT CRY
THE ELDERS OF THE VILLAGE WILL GLADLY GIVE HIM THE BRIDE TO WED.
Where learned: NIGERIA
James Callow Keyword(s): SWITCHING WHIPPING
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Date learned: 00-00-1965
WHEN TWO PEOPLE WHO ARE FRIENDS ARE WALKING SIDE BY SIDE ON THE
ROAD IT IS FORBIDDEN FOR ANOTHER PERSON TO PASS BETWEEN THEM.
IF ANOTHER FELLOW PASSES BETWEEN THEM, THE COMMONSENSE OF THE TWO
FRIENDS WILL MOVE IN TO THE HEAD OF THE PERSON THAT PASSES
WHILE THE TWO FRIENDS WILL BECOME IDIOTS.
Where learned: NIGERIA ; KADUNA
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION ; TRANSFER
Date learned: 00-00-1972
YOU KNOW ONLY WHOM YOU LOVE, BUT YOU DON'T KNOW WHO LOVES YOU.
Where learned: NIGERIA ; LAGOS
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 00-00-1976
IF A WOMAN USED TO GIVE BIRTH TO ABIKU (A CHILD THAT DIES)
SHE CAN BE FREED OF THIS ORDEAL BY CONSULTING AN HERBALIST.
IF SHE HAS ANOTHER CHILD, SHE WILL TAKE HER TO AN HERBALIST WHO
WILL PERFORM A KIND OF RITUAL FOR THE BABY WHICH WILL INVOLVE
MAKING SOME MARKS ON THE FACE OF THE CHILD WITH BLADE, THEN HE WILL
PUT SOME BLACK MAGIC POWDER ON THE FRESH MARKS HE HAS JUST CUT.
THE MARKS ON THE CHILD'S FACE WILL DRY UP AFTER TWO DAYS, THUS THE
CHILD WILL NOT BE AN "ABIKU". THERE IS USUALLY ONE ONE-INCH
MARK ON EACH CHEEK BONE AT ITS HIGHEST POINT.
Where learned: NIGERIA ; KADUNA
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 00-00-1974
IN NIGERIA A NAMING CEREMONY IS CELEBRATED FOR A NEW BORN BABY
ON THE EIGHTH DAY. THE CEREMONY IS ATTENDED BY THE RELATIVES,
FRIENDS, AND WELL-WISHERS, OF THE PARENTS OF THE NEW BORN BABY.
THE PARENTS OF THE NEW-BORN BABY WILL TELL THEIR PASTOR TO DIRECT
AND LEAD THE CEREMONY. THE PASTOR WILL PRAY FOR THE CHILD AND THE
PARENTS. HE WILL PREACH TO THE PARENTS ON HOW THEY ARE TO TRAIN
THEIR CHILD. AFTER THIS, HE WILL DISCLOSE THE NAME OF THE BABY FOR
THE FIRST TIME TO THE PEOPLE (PRIOR TO THIS TIME THE NAME OF THE
BABY HAD BEEN MADE SECRET TO THE PEOPLE). THEN, THE PEOPLE WILL BRING
THEIR PRESENTS TO THE PARENTS OF THE CHILD. AFTER THIS, THERE WILL
BE A PARTY WHERE DINNER WILL BE SERVED. AT THE SAME TIME THE
OPERATOR IS PLAYING A MELODIOUS RECORDS FOR PEOPLE WHO WILL LIKE TO
DANCE. AFTER SOME TIME THE PEOPLE WILL GO BACK TO THEIR HOMES.
Where learned: NIGERIA ; KABBA
| Subject headings: | 686 Eighths / Eight Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Baptism Naming rite |
Date learned: 00-00-1976
NO SWEET WITHOUT SWEAT.
Where learned: NIGERIA ; KABBA
James Callow Keyword(s): PARA RHYME (PARARHYME): SWEET / SWEAT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 00-00-1979