Nationality: Colombian
Age: 22
Residence: Los Angeles, Mexico, Colombia
Primary Language: Spanish
Type: Folk Medicine
- “If you ever have a cold, in Columbia we were taught that warm water, brown sugar, lemon maple syrup and/or honey will help you heal faster.”
- I obtained this piece of folklore from my friend Daniela. Daniela was born and partially raised (only for a couple years) in the country of Columbia, in the city of Bogota. Both of Daniela’s parents are Columbian, and even though after a couple years they left Columbia, Daniela still goes back to visit and has many friends and extended family from Columbia. Throughout her life, she is always told of this Columbian folk medicine, to heal the common cold. It is a family tradition, that, according to Daniela, is common across many Columbian families.
- Currently there is no scientifically proven “cure” for the common cold. Many people across many different cultures have folk medicine for how to cure the common cold or speed up the healing. In Columbia, this folk medicine recipe is very common, and so one Columbian telling this to another Columbian would not really make sense. Instead, this folklore would be transmitted to those of another culture, to share the knowledge and hopefully help those who are stuck with the illness heal quickly.
- In considering all the times I have fallen ill to the common cold, I do not necessarily agree with this folk medicine. Everyone has their own ways in which they heal from an illness, and unfortunately, I do not think that there is one universal folk remedy. I think that this drink or medicine does feel good to drink and helps you relax, but I think everyone and each body is different. Across many cultures, honey is said to have “healing” properties, as well as hot water combined with lemon, but I have not personally experienced these.
Nationality: Colombian
Age: 22
Residence: Los Angeles, Mexico, Colombia
Primary Language: Spanish
Type: Folk Nursery Rhyme
- “Sana que sana, colita de rana si no sanas hoy sanarás mañana.” Translation from Spanish to English: “Heal, heal, little frog’s bottom, if you don’t heal today, you’ll heal tomorrow.”
- I obtained this piece of folklore from my friend Daniela. Daniela was born and partially raised (only for a couple years) in the country of Columbia, in the city of Bogota. Since she spent a significant part of her childhood in Columbia, she remembers fondly this nursey rhyme. She was told this by her parents, friends of her parents, teachers, and other adults in her life. When appropriate and applicable, Daniela still sings the rhyme in her head, even if the listener is not Columbian or speaks Spanish. The translation from Spanish to English was provided by Daniela, who is multilingual.
- This rhyme has a specific role in Columbian life and culture. It is said whenever a child or young falls down and/or hurt themselves in the process. According to Daniela, this rhyme is one of the first thing you learn as a child. It is normal for adults to say this to children anywhere and jokingly to teens or adults under the age of 50. This is not just something said on the playground or at school, it is said anywhere, but only when children fall to the ground. It would also be rude to say this when older people (over the age of 50) fall.
- I really enjoy this short little rhyme. In American society we have similar sayings, such as “kaboom!” Clearly the Columbian version is longer, but what is interesting about this is that, according to Daniela, the saying is widely known by Columbians, especially since it is something learned during childhood. The rhyme is apart of the Columbian identity which is very special.
Nationality: Colombian
Age: 22
Residence: Los Angeles, Mexico, Colombia
Primary Language: Spanish
Type: Fixed Phrase
- “A buen entendedor pocas palabras bastan” Translation from Spanish to English: “A word to the wise is sufficient.”
- I obtained this piece of folklore from my friend Daniela. Daniela was born and partially raised (only for a couple years) in the country of Columbia, in the city of Bogota. After a couple years she left and moved to another country, but in her adulthood, she has gone back and visited. Both of her parents are Columbian as well. So, according to Daniela, this fixed phrase/saying is incredibly common in Columbia, about “everyone says it.” As a child, she did not know about the saying, but as an adult when her parents and older individuals in Columbia started saying it to her, she knew that is was not just a saying but apart of the Columbian identity. The translation was provided by Daniela as well, who is multilingual.
- The saying is something that you wouldn’t say to a friend or peer, but parents or elders say to younger generations. Ultimately, the saying means that, for those who are wise, simplicity in language is enough to communicate a desired message. For the wise, “one word” is good enough. Not literally “one word” but the idea of simplicity being the better answer for those who can understand. That is the key to the saying, “the wise.” If you are not wise, then you will need a longer and more complex explanation, according to this saying and Columbian culture.
- I really enjoy this saying, insofar that I believe it is true, and accurate. Especially in American culture, we tend to avoid simplicity in our language and in our ways of communication, but most of the time the simple answer is the right answer…for those who are capable of understanding it.
Nationality: American
Age: 23
Residence: San Francisco/Bay Area, CA
Primary Language: English
Type: Superstition/Folk Belief
- “Apparently it’s good luck to get a haircut before a baseball game. Having a clean haircut and fresh look gives good luck for the game. Helps your chances while batting.”
- I obtained this piece of folklore from my older brother, Noah. Noah is three years older than me, and he is incredibly passionate about sports. All throughout his life, Noah played basketball, football, soccer, ultimate Frisbee, but more importantly baseball. My brother played baseball throughout his life, and he had many different teammates and coaches. One of his coaches, who also happened to be a family friend, told him this superstition about getting a haircut before the game. Ever since he heard this he has tried to get a haircut before ever baseball game, but it only happened every so often. He was not consistent with his folk belief but he tried.
- In sports, there are a lot of superstitions, and especially in baseball. This piece of folklore circulates around baseball players, although probably non-professional players. Noah does not think that this is believed among professional players but him and his teammates, friends, and peers all knew about this haircut superstition. Every athlete has their own superstitions according to Noah, but this is the only one that he knows of that is considered “universal.” Noah does not play baseball now, and so he does not currently believe in this superstition. Nor does he tell his friends about this superstition anymore, it seems as though it was meant for younger baseball players.
- I really do not like this piece of folklore. I am superstitious but I a) believe superstitions are unique to the individual and b) I don’t believe in sports superstitions. I don’t think that the way you look or the clothes you wear can affect your performance, however I do believe in other superstitions, making my beliefs inconsistent.
Nationality: American
Age: 23
Residence: San Francisco/Bay Area, CA
Primary Language: English
Type: Legend
- “So the baseball player Wade Boggs, apparently drank 70 or 150 beers, something ridiculous, on a way to a game, and then he played either that day or the next day. I think he hit a home run too.”
- I obtained this piece of folklore from my older brother, Noah. Noah is three years older than me, and he is incredibly passionate about sports. He follows baseball, basketball, and football—and so do all his friends. He said that he heard this legend from a friend of his who is from the East Coast. According to his friend, the legend also appears in the hit T.V show, “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” and as a result of this the legend has been made widespread.
- The legend is told spread throughout group of individuals who have an interest in baseball, among multiple generations. Wade Boggs, the baseball player, during his career, was an important and well known athlete. He played for the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, and the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, making his major league baseball career last a total of 18 years—although, he primarily spent his career with the Red Sox. The legend about him is quite dramatic, and also very shocking. This alone makes the legend worth spreading among baseball fans, as it is almost hard to believe.
- I personally don’t care for baseball or baseball players so I do not really find this legend interesting or cool. I do however, find it incredibly hard to believe, and if it were true I would be extraordinarily shocked and honestly extremely confused. I think because of the fact that I do not follow baseball, I do not want to believe this legend either. If I heard a similar legend about a sport that I do care about, I would find myself believing it more easily.
