Category Archives: Folk Beliefs

Folk Remedy for Chili Peppers

Nationality: Mexican; Slovenian; American
Age: 20
Occupation: Student
Residence: Los Angeles, CA, USA
Performance Date: April 20, 2011
Primary Language: English

A classmate of mine informed me of the following folk remedy for curing the pain of intense spiciness: ” I heard this folk remedy from my nanny when I was like 7 – we lived in Texas. There were a lot of chili peppers around, and I ate some – too many – and then started drinking a lot of water to help with the spiciness. My nanny put salt on my nose, and said that putting salt helps to get rid of the spiciness…I don’t think it worked. Let me see…I uh really don’t know that this means…it just shows tradition I guess and what people will believe to be true. I really don’t know what to make of it.”

This example falls within a larger spectrum of folk remedies and the utilization of nature in contrast to produced medicine. While it is arguable whether this situation would have even necessitated the use of medication in the first place, the idea of relying on traditional ways of doing things still stands. And its importance is made apparent. The example illustrates the connection we have to modes of activity and performing a tradition that we may even acknowledge does not work. It is a reminder of where we came from and creates a sense of identity. If we see our parents or grandparents perform such an activity, then we are inclined to do so as well. It comforts us to practice what has been done before, and in doing, close the gap the distance of our past and our present, connecting us with those with whom we identify.

Childhood Playground Game

Nationality: Scottish; American
Age: 22
Occupation: Student
Residence: Oak Park, CA, USA
Performance Date: April 20, 2011
Primary Language: English

The following is a description of a childhood gamed played by one of my classmates: “I went to a predominantly white elementary school. We did a lot of hand games during lunch and recesses, a lot of rhyming type games and hand clapping, that sort of thing. In the middle of one of the hand clapping games, you take your finger and make your eyes squint by pulling the skin around your eyes up or down…the point is to, and this really sounds bad, but to appear Chinese or Japanese.  Up is Chinese, and down is Japanese. So, during the game, you say ‘Chinese, Japanese, Chinese, Japanese…’ changing your eyes with each…so as you say ‘Chinese’ you squint up, and as you say ‘Japanese’ you squint down. It’s about children exploring basically what they can get away with in a fun, subconscious way. At the time I played it was just fun and funny to make ourselves look like another ethnicity. But now I see the larger meanings with childhood, boundary exploration, and identity development.”

I agree with the analysis and the larger associations and meaning inherent in the game. It is like most, if not all, of children’s games. They explore boundaries while speaking to what may not be acceptable by employing what agency they do have. A game of this manner is perfect for exploring identity and indirectly discussing what makes “us” different from “them.” It is but one more example of the child’s way of coping with the authoritarian world and transitioning into a time of exploration and curiosity.

Swedish Joke

Nationality: Swedish
Age: 20
Occupation: Student
Residence: Los Angeles, CA, USA
Performance Date: April 27, 2011
Primary Language: English
Language: Swedish

The following is a joke recorded from a Swedish friend: “So, this joke is not that common, but the theme is common. Ok, so, uh, do you know why Norwegians open the milk cartons in the store? Because it reads ‘open here.’ The point here, is like saying Norwegian people are dumb. It illustrates the rivalry between Norway and Sweden. Now in modern times there is not a real rivalry, I’m sure they have the same type of jokes as Swedes. But it does go back historically, like the 14th and 15th centuries when we were competing for power. It shows this competitiveness and tradition of making fun of each other.”

I completely agree with her analysis. The joke is an illustration of nationalism and the superiority of one nation over another. This is not uncommon, as we see similar examples within the United States pertaining to Mexican immigrants and also in Germany where the targeted group are the Turks. Examining these jokes provides the social constructions and political climates either currently or, as in the case of the aforementioned between Sweden and Norway, historically.

Hiccup Remedy

Nationality: American, German
Age: 24
Occupation: Mother
Residence: Cardiff by the Sea, California
Performance Date: 4/24/11
Primary Language: English

“If you scream “the Xena Warrior Princess cry” (AYAYAYAYA) at the top of your lungs, your hiccups will go away.”

The informant heard this piece of folk medicine from a friend who had heard it from other friends.  She says you perform this when you have the hiccups, and the hiccups will go away.  She did not know why in particular you have to yell or even why you yell “AYAYAYAYA” instead of some other phrase.  The informant believes that this folk medicine is extremely helpful in ceasing hiccups, and she performs it every time she has the hiccups.

I am not sure if I fully understand the reasoning behind screaming “AYAYAYAYA”.  There are several other wacky remedies people believe to get rid of hiccups like drinking water upside down or scaring the afflicted person.  Each remedy, including the one given by the informant, seems to cause an unorthodox way of breathing.  People use their own folk remedies to cure the hiccups.  I believe there are so many remedies for the hiccups because usually the hiccups are not cured through traditional medicine.

Tennis Superstition

Nationality: American, German
Age: 24
Occupation: Mother
Residence: Cardiff by the Sea, California
Performance Date: 4/24/11
Primary Language: English

“In tennis, if I kept winning a point.  I would only use that ball until I lost. Even if I had two balls I would insist they give me the ball I won with.”

The informant uses this superstition when she is playing tennis.  She played competitively in high school but she also utilizes this superstition when she plays for fun.    She said uses the same ball because it must be special if she keeps winning.

I personally do not believe this superstition to be true.  I do not see how the same ball could keep you winning. However, the use of one ball may keep the informant focused on winning and thus she will continue to win the point.