Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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IF YOU HEAR A RABBIT SCREAM, YOU WILL GO BLIND IN A SHORT TIME.
Where learned: INDIA
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 10-15-1987
When my informant was in the Greek Merchant Marines, he traveled
to India. While driving on a road there, a guide that he was with
made him stop the truck. My informant asked why and the guide told
him that cows were sacred and had the right of way.
Submitter comment:
My informant was stunned by the fact that a cow could be
considered sacred but did not question as to why. He just accepted
it.
Where learned: INDIA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mammal |
INDIAN BURIAL CUSTOM
THE BODY OF THE CECEASED IS CREMATED WITH SANDALWOOD.
THE ASHES ARE COLLECTED THE NEXT DAY AND THE FUNERAL
RITES ARE CONDUCTED BY THE ELDEST SON--AT WHICH WOMEN
ARE NOT ALLOWED. THE ASHES ARE THEN DEPOSITED IN
ANY RIVER, GENERALLY THE GANGES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; INDIA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 02-29-1968
WEDDING CUSTOM IN INDIA
THE GIRLS AND THEIR GROOMS NEVER MEET. THE BRIDES ARE
ONLY 15 TO 17 YEARS OLD. A TROUSSEAU IS FURNISHED BY
THE GROOM'S FAMILY BUT A DOWRY IS PROVIDED BY TH
BRIDE'S FATHER. THE BRIDE MUST RECEIVE A MINIMUM OF
SEVEN NEW OUTFITS OR THE MARRIAGE WILL BE CALLED OFF.
THE HONEYMOON CONSISTS OF A 7 DAY VISIT TO THEIR
MOTHER-IN-LAW'S HOMES, WHERE THE BRIDES SIT ON THE
FLOOR AND NEVER SPEAK, WITH THEIR EYES CAST DOWN AND
EVEN REFUSE FOOD UNLESS URGED UPON THEM. THIS IS THE
WAY THE BRIDES SHOW THAT THEY ARE SWEET, HUMBLE AND
SHY--PERFECT COMPANIONS FOR THE MOTHERS' SONS. THE
GROOMS DO NOT HAVE TO FACE SUCH A TEST. THEY GO ABOUT
THEIR WORK, SHOWING HOW MANLY THEY ARE.
Where learned: INDIA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Ceremony |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
IN BENGAL, THE MARRIAGE CEREMONY BEGINS WITH THE BRIDE
BEING SEATED ON A TABLE-LIKE STRUCTURE WHICH IS THEN
LIFTED AND CIRCLED SEVEN TIMES AROUND THE GROOM.
THE BRIDE'S SARI (DRESS) IS THEN TIED TO THE GROOM
AND THE TWO OF THEM WALK SEVEN STEPS TOGETHER, WHICH
COMPLETES THE MARRIAGE CEREMONY.
IT IS BELIEVED TRADITIONALLY THAT A MAN MUST MARRY A
WOMAN WITH WHOM HE WALKS SEVEN OR MORE STEPS.
Submitter comment: SOURCE: CALCUTTA, INDIA
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; INDIA ; BENGAL ; CALCUTTA
| Subject headings: | 686 Seven / Sevenths / Several CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Ceremony |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
FOUR THINGS ARE ALWAYS PRESENT AT AN INDIAN WEDDING.
OPEN SKY, FIRE, WATER AND LAND.
Where learned: INDIA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Ceremony |
Date learned: 10-24-1968
IN INDIA THE WOMEN WEAR A RING IN THEIR SECOND
TOE AS A SIGN OF MARRIAGE.
Where learned: INDIA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Wedding ring |
Date learned: 10-24-1968
SHAVADRISTI: A MARRIAGE CUSTOM
BOTH BRIDE AND GROOM WEAR VEILS WHICH ARE REMOVED
JUST PRIOR TO THEIR MARRIAGE. SUCH AN UNVEILING IS
CALLED "SHAVADRISTI" OR "BLESSED SIGHT," AND WAS
TRADITIONALLY THE FIRST TIME THAT THE COUPLE HAD EVER
SEEN EACH OTHER.
THERE IS A SEPARATE BLESSING OF BOTH BRIDE AND GROOM
BY THEIR FRIENDS..
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; INDIA ; CALCUTTA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Headdress |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
AN INDIAN WOMAN WEARING A VERMILLION SPOT OR A
BLACK PEARL NECKLACE IS MARRIED. AFTER A CERTAIN
AGE THE VERMILLION SPOT IS WORN FOR BEAUTY,
BUT A SINGLE WOMAN CAN STILL BE DISTINGUISHED
BY THE BLACK PEARL NECKLACE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; INDIA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage F545.153 |
Date learned: 02-29-1968
THE VERMILLION SPOT ON THE FOREHEAD OF AN INDIAN
WOMAN INDICATES THAT SHE IS MARRIED. ONCE THIS
OCCURS, SHE WILL TAKE OFFENSE IF SHE IS PAID A
COMPLIMENT ONCE MARRIED. AN EXAMPLE OF COMPLIMENT
WOULD BE, "YOU'RE VERY ATTRACTIVE THIS MORNING," ETC.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; INDIA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage F545.153 |
Date learned: 02-29-1968
FESTIVAL OF HOLI
IT IS ALSO CALLED THE FESTIVAL OF COLORS AND IS CELEBRATED
IN THE SPRINGTIME, AND HAS NO PARTICULAR RELIGIOUS
SIGNIFICANCE, BUT IS SIMPLY AN EXPRESSION OF JOY AND
LOVE, AND WELCOMES THE BEAUTIFUL SEASON.
BOTH MEN AND WOMEN SPRINKLE POWDER OF ALL COLORS ON THEIR
FRIENDS, BOTH IN THE STREETS AND IN THE HOMES. (ORIGIN-
ALLY THE POWDER WAS ALWAYS RED--THE INDIAN SYMBOL OF
LOVE). PEOPLE INVITE FRIENDS TO THEIR HOME FOR MEALS AND
VISITING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; INDIA ; CALCUTTA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting F663.9 |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
HOLI
HOLI IS THE NAME OF THE INDIAN (FROM INDIA) FESTIVAL FOR
THE CELEBRATION OF THE ARRIVAL OF SPRING. THIS
FESTIVAL IS HELD SOMETIME IN MARCH. DURING IT, THE
FARMERS REJOICE AND SPRINKLE POWDERS OF MANY COLORS
OVER THEIR FIELDS. DIFFERENT COLORS ARE USED TO SHOW
THAT SPRING IS FULL OF COLORS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; INDIA
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- March CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting F663.9 |
Date learned: 10-23-1969
FESTIVAL OF DIWALI
ALSO CALLED FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS, AND IS CELEBRATED IN
NOVEMBER. IT COMMEMORATES A RELIGIOUS MYTH CONCERNING
THE GOD SHIVA AND HIS WIFE, THE GODDESS KALI, WHO THE
PEOPLE WORSHIP IN A SPECIAL WAY AT THIS TIME.
KALI MARRIES SHIVA WHO LIVES IN THE MOUNTAINS CALLED
KAILASH. KALI RETURNS TO VISIT HER FAMILY WHERE
EVERYONE IS MAKING FUN OF HER HUSBAND WHO THEY SAY
LIVES NAKED IN THE MOUNTAINS AND MEDITATES ALL THE
TIME. THEY ASK HER OF WHAT GOOD IS HE AND WHY DID
SHE MARRY HIM.
KALI FINALLY COMMITS SUICIDE AND HER HUSBAND, SHIVA,
ON FINDING HER, PUTS HIS WIFE'S BODY ON HIS SHOULDERS,
AND ENRAGED, HE DANCES THE DANCE OF DESTRUCTION. THE
PEOPLE BEG ANOTHER GOD, VISHNU, TO HELP THEM AND TO PUT
AN END TO ALL OF THE DESTRUCTION. HE TELLS THEM THAT
THEY MUST REMOVE THE WIFE'S BODY FROM SHIVA'S
SHOULDERS.
VISHNU, USING A MAGIC WEAPON, DESTROYS THE WIFE'S BODY
BY CUTTING IT INTO MANY PIECES AND WHERE EACH OF THOSE
PIECES FELL, A TEMPLE WAS BUILT TO MARK THE PLACE
AND TO WORSHIP HER.
UPON THE REMOVAL OF HIS WIFE, THE GOD SHIVA REGAINED
HIS SENSES AND THEN DANCED THE DANCE OF CREATION.
PEOPLE CELEBRATE THE OCCASION BY NUMEROUS AND SPLENDID
FIREWORKS AND LIGHT UP THEIR HOUSES INSIDE AND OUTSIDE
WITH CANDLES. THE WHOLE CITY APPEARS TO BE LIT UP.
Data entry tech comment:
OCTOBER-NOVEMBER (KARTIKA)--SPICER, "BOOK OF FESTIVALS,"
KC[ P. 161, KATHY LOESER.
CN[ TYNAN, ANDREA
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; INDIA ; CALCUTTA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- September 23 equinox to December 20 Also used for Advent. |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
FESTIVAL OF DURGA PUJA
THE FESTIVAL IS CELEBRATED IN OCTOBER AND IS BASED ON
AN ANCIENT RELIGIOUS MYTH.
ONCE THERE WAS A DEMON (REPRESENTING EVIL) WHO WAS
CAUSING TERRIBLE DESTRUCTION AND SICKNESS THROUGHOUT
THE WORLD. A GODDESS WITH TEN ARMS APPEARED RIDING
ON THE BACK OF A LION AND KILLED THE DEMON WITH A SPEAR.
MEANING: GOOD OVERCOMES EVIL.
THE PEOPLE OF BENGAL CELEBRATE THE OCCASION BY BUILDING
AN IDOL OF THIS GODDESS IN EACH NEIGHBORHOOD, ABOUT
12 TO 20 FEET HIGH OUT OF CLAY. THEY WORSHIP THE IDOL
BY CARRYING A PLATE CONTAINING CANDLES TO HER (THE
PLATE IS CALLED "ARATI"). AFTER FIVE DAYS OF FESTIVI-
TIES, THE IDOLS ARE TOTED TO A RIVER AND DUMPED IN TO
SYMBOLIZE THAT THE GODDESS HAS RETURNED TO HEAVEN
AFTER KILLING THE DEMON.
Data entry tech comment:
SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER (ASVINA). SPICER-"BOOK OF FESTIVALS,"
P. 161, KATHY LOESER.
CN[ TYNAN, ANDREA
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; INDIA ; CALCUTTA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- September 23 equinox to December 20 Also used for Advent. |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
INDIAN SUPERSTITION
AN INDIAN WILL FIND BAD LUCK IF HE SEES A SHOE OR
ANYTHING MADE OF LEATHER EARLY IN THE MORNING.
THIS IS BECAUSE THE SANDAL IS A MENIAL THING. THE
GREATEST HUMILIATION THAT ANOTHER PERSON CAN GIVE
IS TO HIT ANOTHER WITH HIS SANDAL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; INDIA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bad luck Clothing (dress, hat, shoes, suit, etc.) |
Date learned: 02-29-1968
IT WAS BELIEVED THAT THE MOONSTONE CONTAINED THE
RAYS OF THE MOON, WHICH COULD RID THE WEARER
OF FEARS AND NIGHTMARES.
Submitter comment: LEARNED IN THE SERVICE WHILE STATIONED IN INDIA.
Where learned: OHIO ; INDIA ; WASHINGTON ; WASHINGTON COURT HOUSE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed BELIEF -- Moon BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Mineral |
Date learned: 12-05-1967
THE SAPPHIRE IS A SYMBOL OF TRUTH AND SINCERITY
AND COULD PROTECT THE WEARER FROM POISONING.
Submitter comment: LEARNED WHILE IN THE SERVICE IN INDIA.
Where learned: OHIO ; INDIA ; WASHINGTON ; WASHINGTON COURT HOUSE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Mineral |
Date learned: 12-05-1967
FESTIVAL OF ANNA PRASAN
SIX MONTHS AFTER THE BIRTH OF A BABY, HE IS NOW ALLOWED
TO EAT SOLID FOODS. FRIENDS ARE INVITED TO CELEBRATE
THE HAPPY OCCASION; THEY BRING GIFTS FOR THE BABY.
THREE OBJECTS ARE PLACED BEFORE THE BABY, REPRESENTING
EDUCATION, WEALTH, AND RELIGION. IF THE CHILD
FIRST GRASPS A PEN, HE WILL BE A SCHOLAR, IF HE
GRASPS THE COIN, HE WILL ACQUIRE GREAT WEALTH,
AND IF HE GRASPS THE RELIGIOUS SYMBOL, HE WILL
EMBRACE THE CLERGY.
Submitter comment: FROM CALCUTTA, INDIA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; INDIA ; CALCUTTA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Use of object for determining future of young |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
TO A JAUNDICED EYE, EVERYTHING APPEARS YELLOW.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIBRARY ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; INDIA ; BOMBAY
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 10-15-1970
HONESTY ALWAYS STARVES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIBRARY ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; INDIA ; BOMBAY
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 10-15-1970