Category Archives: Rituals, festivals, holidays

The Legend of Johnny Appleseed

Text: “I remember hearing stories about Johnny Appleseed when I was a kid, and people always talked about him like he was some kind of folk hero. I think the thing that stands out the most was how he was always described as this kind of wild, free spirit. He was a man on a mission, you know? He didn’t care much for stuff like owning land or having a lot of money—he just wandered around planting apple trees everywhere. They said he wore a pot on his head, too.
The real story, though, was about his apples. He planted apple orchards all across the Oregon trail to near Washington. And he didn’t charge people for the trees or anything. He just gave them away. I always heard he did it because he wanted people to have food and to be able to grow their own.
The way the story goes, though, it’s kind of like a legend. Some people say he could talk to animals, or that the trees he planted grew faster than normal. I don’t know how much of that’s true, but it’s definitely the kind of thing people love to exaggerate about a guy like Johnny.”

Context: This story was shared by the informant, who learned about Johnny Appleseed as a young child in school. The informant was not born in the United States, and hearing these stories was part of their introduction to American culture. As a child, the informant was fascinated by the figure of Johnny Appleseed, who was presented as a heroic figure in the classroom, a symbol of American frontier life. The informant recalls how Johnny Appleseed was portrayed as a wild, free spirit who traveled across the country planting apple trees, embodying selflessness and generosity. These stories, filled with admiration for Johnny Appleseed, shaped the informant’s early understanding of American folklore and culture.

Analysis: This story of Johnny Appleseed fits perfectly into the category of legend, blending real historical elements with exaggerations that elevate the figure to mythic status. The informant highlights the core aspects of the legend—Johnny’s wandering spirit, his selflessness in planting apple trees, and the generous nature of giving away those trees for free. These elements are characteristic of folklore heroes, who often represent ideals like community, altruism, and harmony with nature.

The details that are exaggerated—such as the ability to communicate with animals or the trees growing unnaturally fast—show how legends grow over time. Such embellishments serve to reinforce Johnny Appleseed’s larger-than-life status, making him a figure whose story transcends simple historical fact to become a symbol of something greater, such as the American frontier spirit.

In American folklore, figures like Johnny Appleseed represent the pioneering spirit, an idealized version of self-sufficiency and generosity. His legend embodies the ethos of the early frontier days, where individuals were seen as part of a larger effort to settle and cultivate the land. The informant’s story underscores how these legends are passed down, not just as historical accounts, but as narratives that shape cultural identity and values, focusing on ideals like giving, adventure, and the connection between humanity and the natural world.

Informant Info

Race/Ethnicity: White

Age: 63

Occupation: Talent Acquisition Manager

Residence: Oak Park, CA

Date of Performance: April 1, 2025

Primary Language: English

Other Language(s): Hungarian, German

Relationship: Parent

Mommy’s Magic Medicine

Text: “Growing up a little ritual we had when we were younger kids was that every time we got injured my mom would put Neosporin on our little cut or scrape and call it Mommy’s magic medicine. And so every single time I got hurt as a kid I remember my mom putting the Neosporin on my cut and at the time I didn’t know it was Neosporin, I always only knew it as Mommy’s magic medicine. And so I always felt relieved when that happened and it’s something that has resonated with me my whole life.”

Context: This story was shared by the informant, a law school student, who reflected on a childhood ritual involving minor injuries and the comforting presence of their mother. The informant recalls that whenever they got a cut or scrape, their mother would apply Neosporin while calling it “Mommy’s magic medicine.” At the time, the informant didn’t recognize it as a commercial product—they only understood it as something their mother used to make them feel better. This phrase, repeated over many years, became a deeply ingrained part of their childhood experience and remains a memorable, emotionally significant ritual that they continue to associate with safety, love, and maternal care.

Analysis: This is a great example of folk medicine in a family setting. Even though Neosporin is a store-bought product, the way the mom framed it as “Mommy’s magic medicine” gave it a kind of homemade, personal meaning. It wasn’t just about the ointment—it became a small ritual that the informant associated with healing and comfort. Calling it “magic” added a sense of wonder, and also helped make the pain feel less serious or scary.

This kind of thing is really common in folk medicine, where the emotional support is just as important as the treatment itself. Parents often use little sayings, routines, or made-up names to soothe their kids, and those moments become part of how children learn to handle pain or fear. In this case, the ritual shows how folk practices can exist right alongside modern medicine—what matters is the meaning attached to it. For the informant, that meaning stuck with them, even long after they found out what Neosporin actually was.

Informant Info

Race/Ethnicity: White

Age: 23

Occupation: Student

Residence: Oak Park, CA

Date of Performance: April 22, 2025

Primary Language: English

Other Language(s): N/A

Relationship: Brother

Spritz Cookies

Text: “For my entire life every single time it’s Christmas or winter break my mom would make spritz cookies with us. We’d all work together to make the batter and bake the cookies. It’s a tradition we’ve done every single winter. I don’t think that’ll change even when I’m an adult, and when I’m an adult I will teach my family how to make spritz cookies. It’s a tradition my mom did when she was growing up, it’s a tradition that we do now, and it’s a tradition that my lineage will be continuing on in the future. The recipe has been passed down for generations on my mom’s side of the family, which is primarily from Wales and England. I think it’s super cool that I’m part of a generational ritual.”

Context: This tradition was shared by the informant, an Event Planner, who has participated in this annual ritual since early childhood. The informant first learned about the significance of spritz cookies in their family history through repeated hands-on experience each winter break, helping their mother prepare the cookies. Their mother emphasized that this was a multigenerational family recipe, handed down from her own childhood and rooted in her family’s Welsh and English heritage. The informant interprets this annual baking ritual as a meaningful act of cultural and familial continuity – something that binds generations together across time and space. They also see it as a future-oriented tradition, one they plan to continue with their own children, preserving both the recipe and the values it represents.

Analysis: This tradition exemplifies the cultural and emotional power of food-based rituals in maintaining family identity and heritage. The act of baking spritz cookies is more than just a seasonal tradition. It operates as a form of intergenerational storytelling and connection. Through this practice, the informant participates in a lineage of family members who have preserved both recipe and ritual, reinforcing the family’s cultural background and values. The emphasis on continuity (“when I’m an adult I will teach my family”) reflects a deep investment in the idea of legacy, which is an important theme in many food traditions across cultures.

The ritual also supports family bonding, especially within the context of a season (Christmas-time) that culturally emphasizes family unity. As a repeated, collaborative act, the baking process intends to bring people together. Because the ritual is tied to the winter holidays, it becomes part of a broader celebration, blending personal tradition with a culturally shared season of reflection and togetherness.

Informant Info

Race/Ethnicity: White

Age: 25

Occupation: Event Planner

Residence: Oak Park, CA

Date of Performance: April 22, 2025

Primary Language: English

Other Language(s): N/A

Relationship: Sister

First Bite of Cake

Text: “A tradition that I have within my family is that every time it is our birthday when we’re ready to have a birthday cake and we cut that first slice, the first slice is always for the person whose birthday it is. And on top of that not only just the first slice but the first bite. So once all of the slices are passed out the birthday person has to take the first bite of that first slice that was cut in order for the tradition to continue on. I’m not sure where this tradition came from but it’s something I noticed early on in life that we always do as a family and so it’s just so ingrained in my brain that without a question when I am celebrating someone’s birthday I expect the same tradition to be upheld.”

Context: The informant, a law school student, described a family birthday tradition where, once the birthday cake is cut, the first slice and the first bite are always given to the person whose birthday it is. This custom has been a part of their family celebrations for as long as they can remember. Although the informant isn’t sure of the origin of this tradition, it has become deeply ingrained in their life. The informant now expects this same tradition to be upheld whenever they are part of any birthday celebration, highlighting its importance in their personal experience.

Analysis: This birthday tradition is a great example of how even small rituals can carry a lot of meaning. The first slice and bite of the birthday cake being reserved for the birthday person isn’t just a gesture — it’s a symbolic way of honoring that individual and making them the focus of the celebration. By doing this, the family reaffirms the specialness of the occasion and the person whose birthday it is.

Even though the informant doesn’t know where the tradition came from, it’s clear that over time it has become a core part of their family culture. The fact that they expect this ritual to be upheld when celebrating anyone’s birthday shows how powerful traditions can be in shaping expectations. This can also show how rituals spread over time, not just within a family, but through shared experiences and a sense of what “should” happen. When we participate in traditions like this, we contribute to their continuity, and they often become ingrained enough that we expect them to be maintained in future celebrations — even when we’re outside our family. It’s a reminder that rituals aren’t static. They evolve and get passed on, building connections across different celebrations and groups.

Informant Info

Race/Ethnicity: White

Age: 23

Occupation: Student

Residence: Oak Park, CA

Date of Performance: April 22, 2025

Primary Language: English

Other Language(s): N/A

Relationship: Brother

Schnitzel Dinner

Text: “A tradition I have is that my dad who grew up in Germany will cook schnitzel for the family when we are all together based on a family recipe that he has had in his family for a long time. This is something that’s super special to me because growing up it felt unique and cool to have a dad that was able to cook traditional dishes from a completely different culture. Still to this day I love schnitzel and I love my dad’s schnitzel and I look forward to whenever he cooks it for us!”

Context: The informant, a law school student, shared a tradition where their father, who grew up in Germany, cooks schnitzel for the family using a family recipe passed down through generations. This tradition has been significant to the informant, as it not only connects them to their European heritage but also makes them feel that their family’s cultural background is something special. Even as an adult, the informant still looks forward to their dad’s schnitzel, valuing it both as a delicious meal and as a reminder of the family’s unique cultural history.

Analysis: This is a great example of how food traditions carry deep cultural and emotional meaning. Schnitzel, as a traditional German dish, becomes a way for the informant’s dad to share a piece of their heritage with the family. It’s not just about the food—it’s about what it represents: a connection to a different culture and a way to pass down family history. The informant’s appreciation for the dish goes beyond taste; it’s tied to a sense of pride in their dad’s ability to keep this tradition alive.

The fact that the informant finds the tradition “unique and cool” shows how food can also serve as a marker of identity—something that sets their family apart in a meaningful way. Even though they’re no longer a child, the ritual of eating schnitzel still holds emotional weight, reinforcing the bond between family members and their shared cultural past. This also reflects a broader theme in folklore: how traditions, especially ones rooted in food, help shape our sense of self and family, linking us to the past while creating memories for the future.

Informant Info

Race/Ethnicity: White

Age: 23

Occupation: Student

Residence: Oak Park, CA

Date of Performance: April 22, 2025

Primary Language: English

Other Language(s): N/A

Relationship: Brother