Category Archives: general

Text: A gold idol that might be cursed is placed in Mahadev Mandir (temple) in India and the idol has been stolen 7 times but mysteriously always returned within 24 hours.

Context:my friend from Kolkata shared a fascinating tale about the Mahadev Mandir in his city, nestled in the eastern part of India. This temple houses an intriguing gold idol, rumored to be cursed. The enigmatic charm of the idol has led to it being stolen not once but seven times. Yet, each theft is shrouded in mystery as the idol inexplicably finds its way back to the temple within a mere 24 hours. This recurring phenomenon has not only deepened the mystique surrounding the idol but also led to widespread speculation and lore among the locals, who regard the idol’s inevitable return as a divine or supernatural intervention, ensuring its presence within the sacred confines of the Mahadev Mandir.

Analysis: This tale encapsulates more than just an intriguing story; it embodies the intricate interplay of faith, mystique, and cultural heritage that pervades many Indian communities. This narrative, shared among friends and locals, transcends the boundaries of mere folklore, touching upon the deep-seated belief in divine intervention and the supernatural that often characterizes Indian spiritual and cultural ethos.

The idol’s uncanny ability to return to its sacred abode within 24 hours of being stolen, a phenomenon that has occurred seven times, resonates with Domino Renee Perez’s observation that folklore figures or objects wield power by making “often incomprehensible and at times contemptible choices” (Perez 155). Here, the idol, though inanimate, assumes a persona imbued with a divine or supernatural will, challenging the rational and inviting speculation about higher powers and the sacredness of objects within religious contexts.

Furthermore, the community’s reaction to the idol’s return, viewing it as a divine or supernatural intervention, underscores the cultural and historical value placed on such artifacts. It reflects a collective belief in the sanctity and divine protection of religious symbols, underscoring the role of faith in shaping communal narratives and practices. This shared belief system, woven into the fabric of daily life, serves not only to affirm faith but also to bind the community together through shared stories that underscore a common cultural heritage and identity.

Text: If you pass a sharp object such as a knife or scissor without placing it on a flat surface, it means a bad omen

Context: “Anytime I go back home to India and I’m passing cutlery or like silverware to my friends, specifically a knife or a sharp object, they always tell me to place it on a flat surface or like a surface before they take it, just because if I pass it to them directly, there’s a myth that I’m gonna have a fight with them or they’ll walk out of my life or something bad and negative will happen to them.” This is what my friend told me when I interviewed him. He’s Indian and his friends back home believe in this, but although he doesn’t believe in this, he’s forced to follow this tale. On the positive side, he said that his friends’ beliefs about this make him question if there is “another force in the universe.”

Analysis: This folklore tale delves into deep cultural and interpersonal dynamics. This practice, while seemingly rooted in superstition, underscores a broader cultural wisdom emphasizing caution and respect in human interactions. It resonates with Ülo Valk’s insight that folkloric entities are “shaped by the perspectives…of storytellers” (Valk 31), suggesting that such tales reflect communal values and the social fabric of a culture. Similarly, Domino Renee Perez’s observation that folklore figures like La Llorona “wield power by making often incomprehensible choices” (Perez 155) highlights how folklore governs individual actions, even beyond personal belief. This tale, therefore, is more than a superstition; it’s a ritualistic expression of mindfulness and a nod to the collective wisdom that guides social conduct. It connects individuals to their cultural heritage, fostering a sense of continuity and respect for the unseen forces that shape human relationships. Moreover, this tale interestingly highlights the permeation and resilience of cultural beliefs through social networks and friendships, even among individuals who may not personally subscribe to these beliefs. My friend’s adherence to this practice, despite his skepticism, underscores the compelling nature of cultural norms and the respect for the beliefs of others within one’s community.

Jewish Tradition for Passover

Text: During Passover, which lasts for eight days, there are a couple dietary restrictions observed by Jews. Foods containing leavened grain products such as wheat, rye, barley, oats, and spelt are prohibited, as these items could become chametz if they come into contact with water for longer than 18 minutes. Ashkenazi Jews also abstain from eating kitniyot—foods like rice, beans, legumes, and corn—during this period. Traditional Passover meals include matzah, which is unleavened bread made simply from wheat flour and water and is prepared so that it does not rest for more than 18 minutes to prevent leavening. Other staples of the Passover diet include matzah ball soup, various meat dishes, and fruits. The origin of these practices dates back thousands of years to the biblical Exodus from Egypt. According to the story, after God inflicted the tenth plague on the Egyptians, killing the firstborn sons, the Israelites had to leave in haste. This urgency meant they did not have time to let their bread dough rise, resulting in the creation of matzah. The dietary laws observed during Passover serve to commemorate this pivotal event in Jewish history and the haste with which the Israelites fled their enslavement.

Context: The informant is half Jewish and has been doing this ever since he is a kid. He doesn’t keep up with some Jewish traditions but he does do this one since, in his words, “it is only once a year”. He believes in god but does not believe traditions like this holds relevance in gods eyes and he does it just to maintain his culture.

Analysis: The Jewish people are a small group of people throughout history but they have also maintained much of their culture over a great many centuries. The informant participating in the tradition and seeing the importance of carrying it shows the cultural value in judaism of preservation and survival. The jewish people have undergone suffering throughout much of their history and it is very important to remember these time periods and honoring it like in the story of exodus. this can also be seen in Hanukkah which was persecution under the greek Seleucid empire.

Jewish Tradition for Rosh Hashanah

Text: Every Rosh Hashanah, the informant throws a piece of bread into a body of water, which Symbolizes getting rid of their sins. When the informant does this ritual, which he has always performed with his immediate family, you talk about what you did wrong last year and what you’re going to try and do better next year. Rosh Hashanah is the new year and when Jews are supposed to be cleansed. He said it is their way of communicating our sins and regret for them to god. This usually falls in late fall or winter. 

Context: He’s been doing it ever since he can remember, he doesn’t feel that it does anything of significance in terms of good standing with God but He likes to be with his family at this time and feels that it helps him grow and be a better person

Analysis: The practice of casting bread into water as a symbol of casting away sins embodies a communal approach to repentance. While the informant expresses skepticism about the ritual’s direct impact on divine judgment, their continued participation highlights a personal and cultural commitment to the values of family unity and personal growth. The secular shift towards these traditions could be a reflection of the more secular shift which happened to many jews after the holocaust. This suggests that, within this cultural framework, traditions serve not only religious purposes but also support social cohesion and individual self-improvement.

Christmas Ferries (Holiday celebration)

“Something that happens at my town every year right before Christmas – usually like mid December – and there is this ferry company in Washington State, and every year they hire a group carolers, and the carolers come on this boat and then they turn on the boat’s PA and loud speaker and they drive around to nearby beaches or coasts and people from towns nearby will walk toward the public beaches and sit there and do a concert.”

“[My] town, called Yarrow Point has a bond fire with it every year, so usually it’s a combination of people who live in the town or people who work nearby, but everyone helps with the bonfire – everybody comes out and listens, it’s really fun, I’ve grown to appreciate it more, cause when I was little [I hated the cold].”

My informant joyfully recalled this annual tradition to me, and while they originally seemed to hint toward their connection with this tradition as being innocent and community building, they also had this to say-

“The cool thing is, the Christmas boat, it’s the same boat every year, and other people who have their boats out will decorate them with Christmas lights and drive all around, and its Washington State so there’s a large population of people with boats. Usually people will just follow the Christmas boat around so when you come to the concert on the shore they will all pul up with the main boat and you can judge how much effort people put into their boats. It’s really pretty.”

Not only does this event include a large community coming together to appreciate music and decorum, but it also serves as a grounds of judgement and competition. Though it may seem negative, I recognize how this community may inadvertently have added this layer of competition as a way to bring their community even closer together. They want to impress each other and build upon the excitement of the holiday.

“It’s all very light-hearted.”