Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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THE CRYING JESUS
IN BAVARIA (BRAVARIA?) THERE IS A CHURCH NAMED ST. DENISE WHERE
IN THE 1400'S A GROUP OF VILLAGERS MADE A CROSS WITH CHRIST ON IT,
BUT THE CHRIST WAS SO UGLY AND WHEN USED THE PEOPLE WERE ALWAYS
HORRIFIED. SO IT WAS DECIDED TO GET A NEW ONE MADE--THE OLD CHRIST
WAS STORED IN A BARN AND FORGOTTEN. YEARS LATER A PEASANT WOMAN
FOUND IT AND BROUGHT IT HOME, WHERE TEARS STREAMED FROM THE EYES.
SHE TOOK IT TO THE PARISH PRIEST WHO CLAIMED A MIRACLE AND HE
BUILT A CHURCH IN THE CRYING JESUS'S IMAGE AND MEMORY. THE CROSS
IS STILL IN THE CENTER OF THE CHURCH.
PEOPLE TRULY BLIEVE IN THE MIRACLE.
Where learned: GERMANY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Church |
Date learned: 10-02-1970
GERMAN PROVERB
EILE MIT WEILE ( TRANSLATED ) HASTE MAKES WASTE
Where learned: GERMANY ; REGENSBURG
Keyword(s): HASTE MAKES WASTE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb |
Date learned: 11-29-1967
WOUNDS
THE PERSON WHO GAVE ME THIS CURE LIVES IN DETROIT AND WAS IN EUROPE
DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR. URINATING ON OPEN WOUNDS OR SORES HELPS
TO SPEED UP THE HEALING PROCESS. THIS PERSON WAS IN A GERMAN LABOR
CAMP AND SAID THIS IS WHAT HE WAS TOLD TO DO
BY THE MEDICS WHEN HE WAS COLLECTING THE WOUNDED.
Where learned: GERMANY ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): SORES
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 10-08-1969
A STORY ABOUT A MARRIED COUPLE
THERE WAS A YOUNG MARRIED COUPLE WHO DROVE DOWNTOWN
TOGETHER TO WORK EVERY MORNING. SOMETIMES THE HUSBAND
WOULD DROP THE WIFE OFF AND TAKE THE CAR. AT OTHER
TIMES, THE HUSBAND WOULD ALLOW THE WIFE TO TAKE THE
CAR AND PARK IT. EVERY AFTERNOON AT FIVE O'CLOCK, THE
ONE WHO DIDN'T TAKE THE CAR WOULD MEET THE OTHER ON A
PARTICULAR CORNER.
ONE MORNING, THE HUSBAND KISSED HIS WIFE GOOD-BYE AND
SLID OUT FROM UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL, AND WENT ON TO
WORK. AT FIVE O'CLOCK PROMPTLY HE ARRIVED ON THE
APPOINTED CORNER TO WAIT FOR HIS WIFE AND THE CAR.
HE HAPPENED TO TURN AROUND AND SEE HIS WIFE STANDING ON
THE CORNER TOO. WITH A BIT OF SURPRISE HE SAID, "WHAT
ARE YOU DOING HERE?" SHE, IN TURN, SAID, "WELL, I
THOUGHT THAT YOU HAD THE CAR." WITH THAT, THEY HASTILY
RETURNED TO THE CORNER WHERE THEY USUALLY DROPPED EACH
OTHER OFF, AND THERE, IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET, WAS
THE CAR--JUST AS THEY HAD LEFT IT.
Where learned: GERMANY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Stupid man or woman |
Date learned: 00-00-1957
A G.I. STORY
ONCE THERE WAS A YOUNG MARRIED COUPLE WHO LIVED IN A
MARRIED COUPLES' HOUSING DEVELOPMENT. THE YOUNG
HUSBAND WAS IN THE ARMY. WELL, ANYWAY, THERE WAS A
VERY SHAPELY YOUNG MATRON WHO LIVED NEXT DOOR TO THIS
PARTICULAR COUPLE. ONE DAY THE YOUNG WIFE WAS WATCHING
OUT HER WINDOW, WHEN HER HUSBAND LEFT FOR CAMP. THE
SHAPELY YOUNG MATRON HAPPENED TO BE OUT IN HER YARD
AT THE SAME TIME. THE HUSBAND WAS QUITE BUSY TAKING
IN ALL THE SIGHTS AS HE WALKED OVER TO HIS FOUR DOOR
CAR. THE YOUNG WIFE COULDN'T HELP BUT LAUGH AT HER
HUSBAND'S EMBARRASSMENT WHEN HE DISCOVERED THAT HE
WAS SITTING IN THE BACK SEAT OF THE CAR, INSTEAD OF
THE FRONT SEAT.
Where learned: GERMANY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Married couple |
Date learned: 00-00-1957
IN GERMANY THERE IS THE CUSTOM THAT AFTER A HOUSE HAS
BEEN BUILT OR REMODELED, THE OWNERS GIVE A PARTY FOR
THE CONSTRUCTION WORKERS, NEIGHBORS, AND THE
GENERAL PUBLIC. THEY HAVE PLENTY OF BEER AND PLACE
A TANNENBAUM (CHRISTMAS TREE) AT THE TOP OF THE
HOUSE. THE PRIEST COMES AND BLESSES THE HOUSE AND
PRAYS THAT THE FAMILY WILL PROSPER.
Where learned: GERMANY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Home |
WHATEVER YOU SHOUT INTO THE WOOD,
COMES THE SAME WAY BACK AT YOU.
Submitter comment:
TRANSLATED FROM GERMAN, DOESN'T
SOUND THE SAME IN ENGLISH, BUT
IT MEANS THE SAME THING.
Where learned: GERMANY
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
When setting the table for dinner,
if you drop a piece of silverware on the floor
you will get unexpected company stopping at your house for a visit.
Informant really believes in this superstition. She
said it has happened to her on several occasions.
Informant says her mother brought this belief with
her when she came to the United States from Germany.
Where learned: GERMANY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 00001900s
In Hungary the day after Easter, Easter Monday,
is also considered a holiday. On that day all
the boys visit the homes of their neighbor girls
and sprinkle them with water. Today they often
use cologne. The girls, in turn, give the boys
a colored Easter egg. The boys that they really
like are given red eggs.
Where learned: GERMANY ; Binabiburg
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter eggs CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus BELIEF -- Water BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Color |
Date learned: 00001940S
FUNERAL LUNCHEON--ALLGAN, BAVARIA, GERMANY
AFTER THE BURIAL CEREMONY, THE FAMILY OF THE DECEASED
WOULD TAKE THE RELATIVES AND FRIENDS TO THE LOCAL
GASTHAUS (BEERGARDEN) FOR LUNCH AND BEER.
Submitter comment:
A GASTHAUS IS ACTUALLY AN INN. THE PROPRIETOR NOT
ONLY SERVES DRINKS AND FOOD, BUT HE ALSO RENTS OUT
ROOMS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GERMANY ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 10-10-1968
IN OBERAMERGAUE, GERMANY DURING CHRISTMAS TIME, THEY
HOLD A PASSION PLAY, DEPICTING THE BIRTH OF OUR LORD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; GERMANY ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BIRTH OF OUR LORD=CHRISTMAS. ; SOME CONTRADICTION HERE--PASSION PLAY=CRUCIFIXION.
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas Season See F645.2 for Advent Season. |
Date learned: 12-00-1967
GERMAN CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
IN GERMANY, THREE BOYS DRESS UP LIKE THE THREE KINGS
AND THEY GO TO FARMHOUSES AND SING CHRISTMAS SONGS.
ONE BOY HAS A LONG STICK WITH A STAR ON THE TOP OF IT.
THEY COLLECT APPLES, NUTS, ETC.
Submitter comment: SHE LEARNED IT BECAUSE SHE LIVED IN GERMANY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; GERMANY ; DETROIT
Date learned: 02-07-1967
IN GERMANY WHEN A GIRL BECOMES ENGAGED, SHE BEGINS TO
SAVE PHENNIGS. WHEN SHE HAS ENOUGH TO BUY A PAIR
OF SHOES, SHE MAY MARRY.
Submitter comment: FOUR PHENNIGS MAKE A PENNY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GERMANY ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage After engagement: fun with friends, etc. |
Date learned: 02-27-1968
GERMAN WEDDING CUSTOM
ON THE EVE OF A GERMAN WEDDING (IN GERMANY) THE FRIENDS
OF THE GROOM STEAL THE BRIDE AWAY FROM HER HOUSE AND
THE GROOM MUST LOOK FOR HER TILL HE FINDS HER. USUALLY
HE IS EXPECTED TO FIND HER BEFORE MIDNIGHT. THE
CUSTOM IS MORE OF A TRADITIONAL PRACTICAL JOKE THAN A
SYMBOL.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS CUSTOM FROM HIS GERMAN
PARENTS AS A YOUNG BOY IN OWOSSO, MICHIGAN WHICH IS
A STRONGLY GERMAN COMMUNITY. IT IS NOT DONE AS MUCH
HERE AS IT WAS IN GERMANY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GERMANY ; OWOSSO
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Before wedding |
Date learned: 12-22-1963
GERMAN WEDDING CUSTOM
THE WEDDING RINGS IN GERMAN MARRIAGES ARE PLAIN GOLD
BANDS, NEVER DIAMONDS. THEY ARE PLACED ON THE RIGHT
HAND INSTEAD OF THE LEFT AND IT IS MORE IMPORTANT THAT
THE MAN WEARS A RING THAN THE WOMAN.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT LEARNED OF THIS CUSTOM FROM HIS GERMAN
PARENTS AS A YOUNG BOY IN OWOSSO, MICHIGAN, WHICH IS
A STRONGLY GERMAN COMMUNITY. THESE CUSTOMS WHICH ARE
ALMOST THE EXACT OPPOSITE OF AMERICAN ONES, ARE NOT
PRACTICED TO A GREAT EXTENT IN AMERICA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GERMANY ; OWOSSO
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Worn on left hand |
Date learned: 12-22-1963
IN MUNICH, GERMANY, THEY HOLD A BEER FESTIVAL EVERY
YEAR CALLED THE OCTOBER FEST TO CELEBRATE THE
MARRIAGE OF A MEDIEVAL PRINCESS. THIS HAS BEEN GOING
ON FOR AT LEAST FIVE HUNDRED YEARS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; GERMANY ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Reception |
Date learned: 12-00-1967
POLTERABEND
THIS GERMAN CUSTOM CONSISTS OF FRIENDS OF A NEWLYWED
COUPLE THROWING POTTERY AGAINST THEIR HOUSE DOORWAY.
THE BELIEF IS THAT THIS WILL BRING GOOD LUCK TO THE
YOUNG COUPLE.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT WAS INFORMED OF THIS CUSTOM ON A RECENT
TRIP TO GERMANY.
Where learned: GERMANY ; MINNESOTA ; DULUTH
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Day after wedding |
WHEN ERECTING A NEW BUILDING IN GERMANY, THEY PLACE A SPRIG
OF PINE OR SPRUCE, OR FIR TREE AT THE TOP OF THE POLE
AND IT STAYS THERE FOR ONE YEAR AFTER COMPLETION. THIS
IS FOR GOOD LUCK.
Submitter comment: HE ACTUALLY SAW THIS IN GERMANY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; GERMANY ; DETROIT ; DEARBORN ; TV STUDIO
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Foundation rite Laying of cornerstone BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 09-28-1970
THE NUMERALS OF THE CURRENT YEAR ARE PRINTED ON THE
INSIDE OF THE BUILDINGS ABOVE THE FRONT DOOR OF THE
HOME AND ABOVE THE MAIN DOOR OF THE BARN.
EACH YEAR THE CHANGE IS MADE ON THE FEAST OF THE
EPIPHANY. FOR GOOD LUCK, THE INITIALS OF THE THREE
KINGS ARE PLACED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NUMERALS WITH
A CROSS BETWEEN EACH LETTER. EXAMPLE: 19C (CROSS) M
(CROSS) B 68
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GERMANY ; WARREN ; BAVARIA ; ALLGAU
Keyword(s): BALTHAZAR ; KASPAR ; MELCHIOR
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany |
Date learned: 11-17-1968
EVERY ST. NICHOLAS FEAST DAY CHILDREN WOULD RECEIVE GIFTS
AS THOUGH IT WERE CHRISTMAS. HOWEVER, THE CHILDREN ALSO
RECEIVED GIFTS AGAIN AT CHRISTMAS.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT'S GRANDPARENTS OBSERVED THIS CUSTOM IN
GERMANY. HIS PARENTS CONTINUED THIS PRACTICE IN THE
U.S. WITH THEIR CHILDREN.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GERMANY ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Celebration ; CUSTOM ; holiday ; Nick ; Saint ; ST. NICHOLAS ; tradition
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 6 Feast of St. Nicholas |
Date learned: 02-19-1970