Haunted Shed

Text:

At the informants elementary school in Georgia, USA, there was a beaten down, white shed behind the play structure that no children would even think about going near. This is because the shed had an incredibly ominous aura about it and was said to be haunted.

Context:

The informant recalls being terrified of the shed, and that after her classmates told her it was haunted she stopped playing on the play structure because of how close it was to the shed. As she got older, she stopped believing the shed was haunted. She said that her classmates would dare each other to peek into it or touch it, but no one ever did because they were too scared.

Interpretation:

It seems like children are more susceptible to believing in ghosts or haunted things. This could be because they seek excitement in this sense or because they have not reached the age where belief in ghosts is not accepted. I think children are more open-minded about paranormal activity, which could be why haunted areas (bathrooms, sheds, etc) at schools are so common. (I also had a haunted shed at my elementary school).

Babajaga

Text:

In Czech culture, children are told the story of Babajaga. They are told that if they go outside without shoes, Babajaga will come get them and take them away from their family.

Context:

The informant first heard this story when her family was over for dinner at their family friend’s house. Her and the other kids were playing outside, but her brother did not have shoes on. The adults started scaring them with the story of Babajaga, and the informant was so frightened that she ran back inside to grab her brother’s shoes for him and pressured him to put them on before Babajaga could take him.

Interpretation:

I think the story of Babajaga is a way for parents and adults to teach children that shoes should always be worn outside. In this sense, it is a way of protecting kids from possible injury. Additionally, I think frightening kids with a story is more effective in getting a message across than simply having adults telling the kids to do or not to do something, as children naturally want to rebel against adults.

Alien’s Landing

Text:

In the informants hometown, there is a place called Alien’s Landing that is a popular lookout spot for teenagers. To get there, you have to trespass through someone’s yard and hop a fence, and it’s overlooking a graveyard. It’s very isolated and open, and the entire sky can be seen from it. Everyone who goes knows the story of how, in the 90s, aliens were spotted roaming around the lookout and UFO’s were also seen. That is when it was named Alien’s Landing.

Context:

The informant heard this story from her friends the first time she was invited to hang out at Alien’s Landing. She said that no one goes expecting to see aliens anymore, but every once in a while someone claims to see a UFO flying overhead at Alien’s Landing.

Interpretation:

I think that the story that aliens have been seen at this lookout is a way for teenagers to create groups. Only the people who have been to this spot know the story behind it, so it could be a way of separating those who know from those who do not. The fact that the informant was told the story the first time she went to the lookout sounds like she was being brought into the group officially by being told the story.

Evil Eye

Text: The informant started wearing evil eye jewelry, accessories, etc. during middle school. All the evil eye items they possess were gifted to them by family and, later, friends. They like to gift people evil eye items now. The informant always wears the evil eye because they see it as a barrier between them and any bad energy or intentions that could come their way.

Context: The informant grew up with both their parents always having an evil eye charm on them. Before they were gifted their first evil eye, their dad told them a story about his jealous brother, and how every time he would tell the brother about his accomplishments the evil eye’s blue color would fade, which he took as a sign that the evil eye was protecting him from the jealousy of his brother.

Analysis: Evil eye is widely used as a form of spiritual protection from negative energies. This folkloric belief is an example of contagious magic, since possessing an evil eye charm or having it on your person is what is believed to protect you from the negative spirits. Belief in the evil eye could be a reflection of values like spirituality and protection.

12 Grapes at Midnight on New Year’s Eve

Text: Every New Year’s Eve, the informant’s family eats 12 grapes within the minute-or-so leading up to midnight. Each grape represents one of the 12 months, and as they eat each grape they make a wish for that month. It is a way for them to bring consistent good luck into the new year.

Context: The informant has participated in this tradition every year as far back as they can remember, and their family is who taught it to them originally. The informant and their family are Argentinian and have always lived in Los Angeles. The informant said that this is their favorite New Year’s tradition because it becomes a fun competition between her and her siblings (as to who can finish the grapes the fastest) and looks forward to it every year.

Analysis: This is far from the first time I’ve heard of this New Year’s tradition, as it seems that many Spanish-speaking cultures partake in similar traditions. Potentially, I could see this tradition as an expression of optimism for the incoming year. I could also see this tradition as a way of trying to attract what you want into the new year, as in class we talked about how many New Years traditions revolve around manifestations during the liminal time that is the transition from year to year. In this case, the grapes might symbolize wealth or luxury.