Tag Archives: tradition

“If the Good Lord’s Willing and the Creek Don’t Rise”

Age: 73
Occupation: Retired
Language: English

Informant Information:

Age: 73

Date of Performance: 2/26/2025

Language: English

Nationality: American

Occupation: Retired

Primary Language: English

Residence: Alameda, California

Text:

“If the good Lord’s willing and the creek don’t rise.”

Context:

The informant’s parents, who grew up in Tennessee, often used this Southern phrase when making a promise or commitment. It served as a way to qualify their pledge, acknowledging that unforeseen circumstances could prevent them from following through.

The informant’s background adds depth to this expression. Their mother lived in the Appalachian hills of East Tennessee, near the Hiwassee River. Before dams were built, the river frequently flooded, posing a real danger. The informant’s late uncle tragically drowned in the Hiwassee River, making the phrase “if the creek don’t rise” more than just a figure of speech—it was a genuine concern tied to the unpredictable forces of nature that could disrupt daily life.

Analysis:

This Southern saying blends faith and realism, reflecting the values of the region. “The good Lord’s willing” conveys deep religious faith and trust in divine providence, while “if the creek don’t rise” acknowledges the potential for unexpected natural disruptions. Together, the phrase expresses both humility and an awareness of life’s uncertainties—recognizing that even with the best intentions to uphold a promise, external forces may intervene. By using this expression, the informant’s parents could make a commitment while also leaving room for circumstances beyond their control.

Apples & Honey: Jewish New Year Ritual

Age: 63
Occupation: Retired
Language: English

Informant Information:

Age: 63

Date of Performance: 2/18/2025

Language: English

Nationality: American

Occupation: Retired

Primary Language: English

Residence: Alameda, California

Text:

“Both my parents were Jewish, and at the new year—which, in Judaism, is a holiday in the fall when apples are in season—you cut apple slices, dip them in honey, and that will give you a sweet, prosperous new year.”

Context:

The informant, a California native from a fully Jewish background, grew up celebrating the Jewish New Year with her parents.

Analysis:

Eating apples dipped in honey is a Jewish tradition during Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Their round shape symbolizes the cyclical nature of the year, while the honey’s sweetness represents hopes for a prosperous and joyful future.

Before eating, participants often recite a blessing expressing their wish for a “sweet new year,” reinforcing the ritual’s symbolic nature. For the informant’s family, this ritual was a celebration of their Jewish identity and means of passing down traditions to future generations. The timing, coinciding with apple season in the fall, also reflects the natural alignment between cultural customs and the regional produce available in California.

“I whisper secrets, , make trees sway, My voice is felt, but not seen in play. Though I’m invisible, I can be heard all day.”

Age: 20


Date of performance: 2/22/25


Language: Chinese


Nationality: Chinese


Occupation: Student


Primary Language: Chinese & English


Residence: United States

Riddle:

“I whisper secrets, make trees sway, My voice is felt, but not seen in play. Though I’m invisible, I can be heard all day.”

Context:

This riddle is usually heard at Chinese lantern festivals in which is meant to be interacted with predominantly by children. This is the case because it is considered a beginner-level riddle. Children interact with these riddles from the festival as they are attached to lanterns during the event. These lanterns serve as a reward system and if you get a riddle correct, you are awarded a rice dumpling.

Interviewee mentions that most riddles from Chinese Culture are predominantly from Chinese Lantern Festivals. They heard this knowledge while growing up from their mom, but it is also generally well-known in Chinese culture. Furthermore, they mentioned it was such an easy riddle and refused to provide the answer upon introduction of the riddle having me try to figure it out on my own.

Analysis:

I was able to answer the riddle pretty easily despite feeling like I was being tricked by my friend. The answer was the wind, which felt pretty self-explanatory to me in the end. I find myself so used to the trend that riddles try to trick people through the use of making the answer something you can’t see that I naturally fell back to thinking of the wind first; which in this case was right as it’s a common riddle answer.

I found it quite interesting how riddles were introduced to children at events, not only that but through the use of lanterns. I’m so accustomed to them just being a verbal challenge that this is such a fun way to implement them and challenge kids. I find it such a fun way to help children integrate into Chinese festivals and help them feel involved in their culture

“Don’t Put All Your Eggs in One Basket”

Language – English
Nationality – American
Occupation – Student
Primary Language – English
Residence – Bay Area, California

Text: The phrase “don’t put all your eggs in one basket” means you shouldn’t rely on just one option or opportunity because it can limit you. It’s a reminder to keep your focus on other things in life and not put all your energy into a single choice.

Context: “I learned this saying as a way to keep myself from becoming too focused on one thing. “My family taught me this piece of advice too that helps me to always remember to stay open to other possibilities, especially when there are multiple options to consider.” “In a way this has become a must say phrase to myself when considering multiple things that can overwhelm me.”

Analysis: This phrase is about not limiting yourself by focusing only on one thing. It’s a reminder to stay open-minded and think about all the opportunities to choose from, rather than focusing too much into just one. It’s a simple way to approach life and decisions, helping to reduce the risk of putting too much into something that might not work out, and it’s nice because this is also a sentiment from her family that was almost passed down.

Traditional, Familial Greeting

Language: English

Age: 20 

Date of performance: 02/11/2025

Language: English

Nationality: American

Occupation: Student 

Primary Language: English

Context– A is a sophomore studying Human Biology on a pre-medical track. When asked if there are any traditions within his family, he told me that his mom’s side in Mexico typically greets all loved ones with smothers of kisses on the cheek. A says that it started in their family generations ago, and is now happening through his grandparents. However, he tells me that “it isn’t a generational thing, more of a grandparental thing. I don’t think it will be carried on by descendants”. He doesn’t see himself or his sister carrying on the tradition.

Analysis– Within folklore, tradition is a contemporary & observable form of action that represents a past. A’s familial tradition of kissing on the cheek as a greeting for loved ones represents a tradition his grandparents have implemented within the family because it is ongoing and represents their past as it reflects what their parents used to do to them and their family members. Personally, I see similar actions within my family as my stepmom’s family greets in a similar style, however, they do light air kisses on the cheek instead of smothering us in kisses. This can be seen as an oicotype because both my family and A’s family share the characteristic of being Hispanic and a similar way of greeting is tradition for both families, just in a slightly different way.