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

Reading The Night Before Christmas

Text: “My entire life, even for adulthood, whenever I’m with my family on Christmas Eve we all sit around right before we go to sleep and read the book The Night Before Christmas. It’s been a little tradition/ritual that we’ve done my entire life and even though I’m an adult, when my family is all together we still do it every single Christmas Eve. Why do we do it? I’m not sure – it’s something that my mom introduced to us as kids, but even as an adult it makes me giddy and really bolsters the Christmas spirit and I just love it very much.”

Context: The informant, an Event Planner, shared this as a long-standing family ritual that takes place every Christmas Eve. It began in their early childhood, when their mom introduced the tradition of reading The Night Before Christmas aloud before going to bed. Even now, as an adult, the informant still participates in the tradition whenever the whole family is together. They associate the ritual with excitement, comfort, and the feeling of being fully immersed in the Christmas spirit. While the informant doesn’t know exactly why it started, they clearly feel emotionally connected to the experience and see it as a defining part of their family’s holiday celebration.

Analysis: This is a great example of a holiday ritual that’s lasted well into adulthood. Reading The Night Before Christmas as a family might seem simple, but the fact that it happens every Christmas Eve gives it a lot of meaning. It’s not just about the book—it’s about the feeling of being together, holding onto that sense of childhood joy, and setting the tone for the holiday.

Even though it’s a super well-known story, the way this family uses it makes it feel personal. It’s part of their version of Christmas. The fact that the informant still looks forward to it and says it makes them feel “giddy” shows how traditions like this can stick, even when you’re grown up. It also speaks to how folklore doesn’t have to be ancient or mysterious—it can be as familiar as a bedtime story passed down in a way that makes people feel connected and grounded in something bigger than themselves.

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

Locro

AGE – 18

Date_of_performance: april 28th 2025

Language: Spanish

Nationality:  Argentinian 

Primary Language: English

Locro for holidays and other special occasions

text:

“This traditional food, I don’t remember when I first heard of it. It was probably just my family doing it, and I have a good relationship with it, as I enjoy eating locro a lot. Although I gotta be honest, the first time I started doing the tradition was last year, and basically in this tradition, what we would do is gather around with friends and/or family and prepare and eat locro for any of Argentina’s national holidays. It can be for National Independence Day or Homeland Day. This Friday I’m gonna eat locro for National Workers Day, and the point of it is to pay honor to the locro, which is a regional typical and traditional dish from here, and at the same time celebrate the holiday. It’s like a stew, and its primary ingredient is white corn. You can add stuff like cow meat or red chorizo. We eat Locro to celebrate the holiday and pay honor to the locro and be grateful for the person who made it. “

Analysis:

Locro looks like an appetizing dish. It is a hearty, thick squash or potato stew found commonly in Argentina. Much like C’s description, the most common ingredient is corn, but there are different ingredients added in as well, in different parts of the country, such as some parts having some squash, potatoes, meat, beans, etc. This traditional dish reminds me of a traditional dish I eat now and then called “Caldo.” It is a Mexican stew/broth we eat on holidays, much like C does here. It mainly contains chicken, corn, and vegetables, and sometimes comes with tomato soup. I imagine part of the reason C enjoys this soup so much is that not only is it good, but he also shares it with the people he loves. 

Mano Po

AGE – 23

Date_of_performance: april 28th 2025

Language: Tagalog, German, Romanian/Filipino 

Nationality: Bisaya

Primary Language: English

Text:

“I heard this from the teachings of my family from generation after generation, This is where I learned it from. Tradition-wise wise we bless the elderly and help others like family members. The point is about having a strong bond with family and blessing them, taking care of the elderly and the young ones, etc. Mano po is a blessing we perform to show respect to our elders. We gently grab the hand of the eldest person and move it to our foreheads. You don’t normally do this to strangers, as they might not want to be perceived as old; this is more so for families of friends, partners, and yourself. “

Analysis:

Translated, the word “mano” means hand in Spanish, while the “Po” is a Filipino honorific. Together, they summarize the ritual performed by Philippinos, which can be traced back to 1493-1898 with a book called “The Philippine Islands.” Other countries have also adopted this ritual, such as Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei. As Marcel said, it’s tradition to greet someone old with Mano Po, as it’s a great form of respect for someone.