Author Archives: naskinne@usc.edu

Because of us, them.

Nationality: American
Age: 18
Occupation: Student
Residence: California
Performance Date: 4-6-18
Primary Language: English
Language: French, bit of Hebrew

Nationality: American

Primary Language: English

Other language(s):  French, a bit of Hebrew

Age: 18

Occupation: Student

Residence: California

Performance Date: 4-6-18

What it is: Because of us, them. Because of them, us.

Why they know it:  Amanda also attended Santa Barbara Middle School, and like ‘putting someone’s name into the fire’, this was a thing that was said on a daily occurrence. The meaning and saying became part of her vocabulary because of her experiences at SBMS.

When is it said: This is said in any situations, especially when someone has done something that was unfavorable. The teachers would go, Because of us, them. Because of them, us.

Where did it come from: SBMS

Why it’s said: This is a remembrance proverb. It’s meant to make people remember that every action has an equal and opposite reaction. The actions you put out there do not just affect you but it affects the people in the future as well. The actions of the past are what allow us to do the things we are doing now. And our actions will determine what the future people are able to do.

How they know it and what it means: The meaning is not hard to figure out and is thus not hard to communicate. It has been told so many times that is just something that you always remember that your actions have consequences, both good and bad. The best example is dress code. One year girls were wearing outfits that were not very appropriate for middle school. So, Whitney (one of the teachers) told them if they keep dressing like that we will have to issue uniforms, which would affect every student presently and for the future. If they didn’t want a uniform then they had to dress more appropriately.

Thoughts: This is one of my favorite proverbs. It makes me remember just how impactful my actions are, that I am not the only one being affected by things I do and visa versa. I believe that this message is super impactful and should be something that is taught because maybe, just maybe, situations (like the ones of current time) wouldn’t happen if we really taught people the impact of their actions.

Names

Nationality: American, Indian
Age: 20
Occupation: Student
Residence: California
Performance Date: 4-20-18
Primary Language: English
Language: Spanish

Nationality: American, Indian

Primary Language: English

Other language(s):  Spanish

Age: 20

Occupation: Student

Residence: California

Performance Date: 4-20-18

What it is:

“Based on the written language of Sanskrit, the calendar, you are born with certain sounds. In traditional Indian culture you associated the sounds to name your child. For example, I was born with the sounds na, no, ni, thus giving you the name Navina. In Sanskrit this means, novelty. Ki, ka, ke, were the sounds my sister was born into giving her the name, Kimara. Her name was made up and thus does not have a Sanskrit meaning; however, follows the tradition of naming your child based of the sounds. I was born in August, and my sister July.”

Why they know it:  Growing up I questioned why we were doing it and my parents told me why

When is it said: Once a week and during when someone is about to give birth

Where did it come from: India

Thoughts: This is something that is completely new to me. I have heard of people making up names but I have never heard of people creating names or finding names based on sounds. I think that these names, like Navina and Kimara, are unique and a special tradition, regardless if the name has a meaning or not.

The occasional Vegetarian

Nationality: American, Indian
Age: 20
Occupation: Student
Residence: California
Performance Date: 4-20-18
Primary Language: English
Language: Spanish

Nationality: American, Indian

Primary Language: English

Other language(s):  Spanish

Age: 20

Occupation: Student

Residence: California

Performance Date: 4-20-18

What it is: Tamal traditions

“Tamal is a Indian religion. Here are two Tamal traditions. In the tamal religion it is customary to shave the babies head before christening. Based on the tamal religion, cows are sacred and traditionally, some families select on day of the week to honor the cow and are vegetarian on that day. In my family we were vegetarian on Mondays.”

Why they know it:  As a child, Navina was super curious, and would ask her parents about their traditions.

When is it said: There isn’t a specific time in which this is said. It comes up more when asked about it.

Where did it come from: India

Thoughts: To me, this is one of the most unusual folklore I have collected. I was raised in a semi-vegetarian household; however, designating a specific day to be vegetarian is a new thought for me. None-the-less, I can respect that this is a weekly tradition for her family because I have a tradition similar in mine. These traditions help shape the person into who they are and what they do in life and in the world. It provides them with values they can hold onto.

The curse of the ring

Nationality: American, Indian
Age: 20
Occupation: Student
Residence: California
Performance Date: 4-20-18
Primary Language: English
Language: Spanish

Nationality: American, Indian

Primary Language: English

Other language(s): Spanish 

Age: 20

Occupation: Student

Residence: California

Performance Date: 4-20-18

 

What it is: “You cannot wear a ring on your wedding finger before you are engaged. If you do it will rain on your wedding day.”

Why they know it:  Her grandmother told her this one day and it has stuck with her ever since.

When is it said: Pretty much whenever someone has a ring on their ring finger, especially when it’s a friend or damily member.

Where did it come from: India

Why its said: This is used as a warning as no one wants rain on their wedding day.

Thoughts: This is something I have heard before; however, with a variation. I have been told that if you were a ring on your wedding finger you will have seven years of bad relationships. Either way, some type of bad luck will occur to those who wear rings on their wedding finger when not engaged or married.

A Blessing

Nationality: American
Age: 55
Occupation: Banker
Residence: California
Performance Date: 4-7-18
Primary Language: English

Nationality: American

Primary Language: English

Other language(s): 

Age: 55

Occupation: Banker

Residence: California

Performance Date: 4-7-18

What it is: A Blessing over the kids

The blessing goes: Y’varech’cha Adonai v’yishmerecha, ya’er Adonai panav eilecha viy’chuneka, Yisa Adonai panav eilcha v’yasem l’cha shalom. May God bless you and keep you, May God’s face shine upon you and be gracious to you, and may the face of God be lifted up to you and may God give you peace. A few key words are: Adonai which means God, Panav which means face, and shalom which means peace. The pronunciation is hard to explain but most words are hard sounding. The image below shows the Hebrew written and spelled phonetically. Hebrew is read from left to right.

Screen Shot 2018-04-26 at 12.20.38 AM

Why they know it:  This is something we were taught by our Rabbi.

When is it said: Every Friday night in our family

Where did it come from: Israel

Why its said: It is said to protect the child and bless them with god fortune and God’s grace.

Thoughts: This is one of my favorite prayers I know. It makes me feel as if I am being watched over and protected, by God, but more specifically my father (who says the prayer every night). The version above is the version we have written down, so that our friends and family can also follow along and so that we don’t forget the words. With the Hebrew language there are several versions but ultimately the meaning of the prayer is the same throughout.