Folklore and Superstitions in Appalachia
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 13 ม.ค. 2021
- I'm sharing folklore and superstitions in this video. Some I grew up hearing others I've only read or heard about.
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#Appalachia #Superstitions #Folklore
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I was always taught to pull over for a funeral procession and turn the radio off too.
They used to teach that in driver's education in high school, but no more.
When my Mother passed, the electric workers on the side of the road stopped working and placed their hard hats over their 💕... I'll never forget that moment of great kindness.
You always let the funeral procession pass. 👏👏
Also hold your breath as you pass a graveyard.
I'm live in Scotland and people mostly pull over for a funeral procession. If we're walking and see a funeral procession coming we stop and bow our heads until it's passed.
@@Ruth78620 I grew up in Yorkshire and we were taught to do the same. When I moved to London, people seemed so rude in the way they failed to show respect to the dead and for their grieving family. Now, I live in mid Wales and the police will stop the traffic in small towns to allow a funeral procession to stay in convoy.
@@jennil7797 just as the way it should be. It takes 2 minutes out your day to show someone and their family respect.
😔
I forgot about the pulling over for a funeral!! Yes we do that tooo!! When my sister passed..as we passed the co-op the men working stopped and took off their caps..such a show of Respect Love living in the South
My mom and Dad were originally from Ireland,god rest them,if they seen a funeral and if it was safe to do so,they'd pull in and bless them selves. If not, drive real slow past the hearse and again bless themselves. I do that now...but here in the UK it doesn't happen that much...
We were also taught if we passed a church to bless our selves 🙏 which I do. And as a young girl growing up in Manchester up north,if an ambulance passed we'd all say,touch your collar, touch your knee,pray to God it's never for me....I don't say that as much now but it does come to my head every now and then if I hear or see an ambulance...it's strange how things from your childhood still come back to you....thanks for all the little sayings.
Still do that in South East KY
In north Texas we've always pulled over to the side of the road. And occasionally, I've seen people actually get out and stand at attention with their hats in their hands. This actual scene brought me to tears once, when a dear old Friend died. We were leaving the funeral and enroute to the cemetery and there were several cars who pulled off to the side of the road and a few were standing beside their cars at attention, showing their respect. One of them was a semi truck and the driver was standing beside his cab. I broke into tears because my friend had been a truck driver for many years, and there was no way that dear sweet driver could have known that.
Still done in the Arkansas Ozarks.
It wasn't for a long time, but that's a law here in Tennessee now.
A superstition that my Granny always abided by was this: When you are waving goodbye to a loved one that is departing from your home via their car or just walking away...never watch them go completely out of your sight, avert your eyes, or you'll never see that loved one again. I am not superstitious at all, but I do this in remembrance of my beloved Granny.
I'm from north west Alabama and I've heard this but it didn't have to be a vehicle, just if a loved one was departing in any way. Never watch them disappear. I believe that this is a Scottish/Irish superstition.
I still do it too ☺ I even told my son, just to keep the belief alive ☺
Yes, I have heard that one!
As a child I grew up doing this in my family too. I’m a flight attendant now and I’m always away from home. After visiting with friends or family, I make sure to never look back at them when we part ways in hopes that I’ll get to see them again. 🥹
My father's side of the family is from Coolidge Georgia. When my grandmother's casket was brought back to Coolidge for burial everyone on that road pulled over and got out of their cars. The men took off their hats and folks also placed their hands over their hearts. How sweet is that!
I live in south Georgia and, yes, we are taught (even now) to pull off the road when a funeral procession passes. You say a prayer for the loved ones while you sit and wait. We also were taught, when a firetruck or ambulance passes with lights and sirens, to say a prayer for the person and family they are going to help and also for the safety of the firefighters and EMTs.
When hunting: If you get something always leave the "Woods" something in return. An apple, some of your lunch on a log, tobacco, salt something the forest creatures will eat. If not the "Woods" will become angry because you do nothing but take and your luck will turn bad when hunting. Foolish, but I still do it.
That makes sense. When we go berry picking, I've taught my girls to only pick every 3rd one. (2 for the forest animals to eat, 1 for us.)
Old Goat, I don't think that's foolish at all. It's good to give back to nature. If more folks had that mindset, this old world would be so much better off.
it's most certainly not foolish at all. the woods are to be respected to the fullest. if you pay attention to it, it'll let you know if it wants you there or not.
Feed the Sasquatch…but be careful. If you stop, that makes ‘em mad.
Not foolish at all when nature gifts you something always give back there’s a lot of spirits in these old mountains
I like this woman she has a good heart.
I agree ❤️🙏🏾
I love to hear her talk. Reminds me of home.
Agreed! 💕
My great grandmother was such a strong woman , who birthed 18 children. Lived to see most of them pass. She was a granny witch, is what she was always called . Great granny witch of Appalachia. She was a healer and was able to make warts disappear by rubbing them , and among many other miraculous things she could do. Wish I could have got to know her longer than 6 years of my life .
My granny had a cure for warts: Cut a cross (+) in the wart; cut a super-ripe white onion in half and cut a cross in one of the halves; drip the juice of the cut onion onto the wart; then bury the onion half under a downspout; after the next rain, the wart will begin to disappear. This always worked for my cousin who got warts on his fingers.
In our family. Our great grandmother was hanging clothes when a hugh flock of turtle doves flew down stream along the path the river took. Taking this as a omen, she gathered up her kids (3) and headed for higher ground when she tired out she turned around just in time to see a wall of water take the house. Only thing they found was a trunk. TO THIS DAY no member of our family (now four generations) are allowed to hunt doves. Nervious as a snake in a hog pen.
Wow what a story-thank you for sharing it!
Never close a pocket knife someone else has opened. Bad luck.
I will refuse to accept my knife back unless it's in the same condition as I gave it to the person ( open or closed)
Or never accept a present of a knife or you'll cit the relationship (ireland)
@@iersejounge you include a penny with the gift of a knife is what I always heard.
Yes!!
@@iersejounge rly?? Thats amazing! Ive never heard it but i like it
If you spill salt, you’re supposed to sprinkle a little over your left shoulder to keep the devil away.
My mom would say....if your outta salt your outta money...lol
My mom said you threw salt over your left shoulder to stop bad luck if you spill salt.
@@kennethhacker1341 the only reason I KEEP my uniodized salt. I bought by accident one time and pushed it to the back. That's my $$ salt lol
@@mircat28 yep my mum does that as well lol
I was just searching the comments to see if anyone mentioned this one!
My mom always made people leave by the same door. She also wouldn’t let anyone open an umbrella indoors. She took these very seriously. She was born in 1930 in Chicago, but her mother came up in Appalachia (West Virginia). She also wouldn’t let me tell my dreams before breakfast. I always thought that was just a way to get me to eat my breakfast.
I believe that Folklore is Sacred,and should be preserved and honored....I have visited Appalachia it is very Magical
I always heard If the good lord willing and the creek don't rise
The original person to say that one was Col. Benjamin Hawkins of North Carolina, a Continental Congress senator and general superintendent of Indian Affairs. He said it to someone and people started using it like that. He was originally referring to the Creek Tribe of indians, but even I use it to refer to an actual creek haha
@@friedhelmvandal1960 awesome thank you for that info..
@@carrienicholas6868 I did hear growing up about death comes in 3, well that happened to our family last year 🙏. My dear dad past away on 19 April 2020 divine mercy Sunday,on 27 june2020 my nephew passed away and on the 15 September 2020 my other nephew's wife passed away. It was a terrible year and god forbid we have another one like it.
@@grannymary6210 OH NO that is horrible.. I have never had it happen in my family but with friends it always does...
Tipper...I love your channel!! Brings back so many memories of my grandparents that I adored in NE Oklahoma. I have a few sayings that I wonder if you’ve heard. Someone’s walking around with their “dobber down”. Meaning they’re feeling low or bad. Someone is worn “slap out”. They’re just tired. Someone is “faunching”. Meaning they are having a hissy fit. Thanks for the good times listening to you and your stories!!💕
In Kansas we pull over to the right side of the road and turn on our lights as soon as we see the beginning of a funeral procession!
My grandma always said if dogs howled it meant bad luck or someone was going to die. The night she died, we heard dogs howling and she had a weird look on her face and said someone is going to die in town tonight...gave me goosebumps and I've never forgotten that. Shortly before my Dad died about 6 months ago, a bird repeatedly flew into my bedroom window like it was trying to get in. He died less than 48 hours later. I somehow knew it was a warning. I have heard death comes in 3's or 5's. I have heard so many of these.
Beautiful video.. as a child in Newfoundland Canada we heard many of these as well.. Appalachia, like Newfoundland, was where a lot of people from Europe settled and they brought a lot of their folk remedies and sayings with them when they came.. a hint of magic in every one
The other similarity between Cajun and Appalachian folk is we both existed in isolation longer than the rest of the country. Both resilient and resourceful and value our histories. We both even have our own style of music
Yep ❤️
My Cajun grandma said never take a flower from a funeral or a grave, that is stealing from the dead and you will forever have bad luck
Mostly stringed instrument 🎻
My grandmother on my my mama's side was Cajun, everybody else was came from Appalachia.
@@pattytheseeker8902 then you definitely came from good stock!
"If your feet itch you're going to walk on strange ground." I think I can see where the term "Itchy feet" for one who likes to travel may have come from.
So fascinated by Appalachian culture. Love how you tell the stories of these old sayings. So charming.
I wish people did that for funeral processions up here. People will literally get into the procession or cut them off because they are so impatient. People in the South are so much nicer! I love visiting the South and greatly respect their culture.
I'm Canadian & my parents are from Austria. My mom used to say that if a bird flew into your house it meant death. She also said that if all cows were laying down in the field it meant it would rain soon.
Thats a raven
In New England I have heard the cows/ rain
My heritage is Italian. My mother told us that, too. A bird in the house means death.
@@TheWhimsicalFamily ha and i heard it was a dove
Was it any color bird? Or a specific color?
When my Nanny 💗 passed we had a bit of a drive from the funeral home to her burial site. My husband had never seen traffic pull over for a funeral procession. His mind was blown when all of the oncoming and approached traffic did so, even on a divided 4 lane highway.
Maybe, some of the vehicles recognized who's procession it was, but most would not have. Respect is a demonstration. We ALL have a journey here which begins and ends.
Thank you for sharing. You always spark memories!
I know what you are talking about. People where I grew p still do that for funeral processions. It is just what you do. Dennis Morgan
@@georgelegault3985 Thank you for this insight!
I’m always blown away when people DON’T pull over…
@@georgelegault3985 maybe in your state. But not in mine. It's a show of respect where I live.
@@Catmom404 So am I.
I was born and raised in eastern Virginia and have heard many of these sayings. One I remember was that if a snapping turtle got ahold of you it wouldnt let go until a thunderstorm came. My granddaddy got bit once by the pantsleg and my grandma had to finally cut the pantsleg off. I watched this happen right in our yard (we lived close to a creek). I dont remember what happened to the turtle but knowing grandaddy he most likely took it back to the creek and let it go. I think about that often. All my grandparents and parents are gone on and I miss them and glad to have memories and pictures to keep me company. Thanks so much for all the work you do and share to keep the Appalachian ways alive.💖
I can’t call my parents without being asked “ were your ears burning “. Which means they were talking about me or the wife and kids. Found your channel today and I am glad I did ma’am.
Welcome and thank you!!
Gramps would blow pipe smoke in your ear for earaches
Yess
now even doctors recommend warm olive oil drops --- the warmth!
I had an aunt do that to me one year at Christmas (my dads older sister). it was one of those brown cigarette things this was in the early/mid 80’s and my mom was livid. My ear hurt so bad, I was willing to do anything. She was so angry but I didn’t mind. Now I think it’s pretty neat after watching this
my gramps poured beer and salt on the leaches i got in the lake 😂 worked like a charm 👍
Candles
What makes this folklore so fascinating is there are deep philosophical and literal truths embedded within almost all of these superstitions. That's why they have withstood the test of time. Please don't ever let them go.
Itself, a very thought-provoking statement. Thank you.
Some are to keep kids in line. ❤️
Mmmm I don't know abou some of them having truths embedded but some do for sure. I wouldn't reccomend someone to actually believe in them or follow the remedies though. Some are dangerous and others are just silly.
This channel is spectacular! Y'all put so much work into these videos and we deeply appreciate it! I was born in NC but left soon after birth. So, it's really interesting to see all of this. Thank you!
I have a carving by the late John Heatwole, heard him give a lecture on Appalachian witches. He recounted a spooky story about a young woman hiking through the forest, hearing her name being called by a disembodied voice. Creepy stuff. Whooeee! Still gives me the shivers!
My aunt always told me to be sure to go back out the same door you came in when you go into any building. I always believe what she told me. She lived to be 90 years old had a stroke and could still remember all her nieces and nephews birthdays. I really miss her calling me on my birthday. RIP
I’ve seen and heard death comes in three’s for all my adult life. As a nurse, it really has happened and it’s a saying with nurses.
That has always, always happened in our family.
Kathy, I also have known death to come in three's. After the first one, I start dreading what I know will come.
Forever true...wish it tw'ern't but t'is true!
(just another ol' nurse)
Seem like babies come in three too .
My mommy was one of those folks. Nurses have a gift.
We just moved to Appalachia. Though I did have family in the area in the 1800s, I'm from a branch that didn't stay. What a joy to find these videos. Thank you!
This was awesome! I grew up in Alabama, but many of my ancestors settled in Appalachia at one time or another. I have heard most of these before. My paternal Grandmother (born in 1906), used to have a few of her own that I am sure were passed down. You never wash on New Years day, or someone will die. Sprinkle salt in front of the doorway and whoever is against you cannot enter the house. There are so many. Her grandmother was 1/2 Cherokee from the North Georgia mountains. I am superstitious myself, although I don't believe all of them. I heard one time that seeing an owl during the day is a sign of death... I saw one sitting on the railroad tracks one time, the first time I had ever seen this. My Dad died 3 days later. My back yard was also filled with crows. About a week after he passed, I looked out my window to see red cardinals everywhere. It was amazing and shocking at the same time. That's why I believe.
Thank you for sharing those and your experiences!!
In my area a much loved teenager was lost in an auto accident. Her funeral and visitation was in our high school gym. People were lined up waiting to get in to visitation a one person reported a Cardinal flew over the line, threw the outside doors and threw the gym doors and went toward the casket. It sort of gave me chills.
If you iron on New Year days means your iron someone in, plus I always heard if your see a Cardinal in your yard it’s supposed to mean a loved one who passed away is stopping by to check on you!
My great aunt said " Mammie always said green grass at Christmas will mean the cemetery will be full in January" and change of seasons bring on "pneumonie"
This woman and her beautiful, loving heart SUMS UP ALLLLL that is Appalachia. She reminds me so very much of my Mama and Granny, who are both from there, but have left this world to be with The Lord. Finding and subscribing to this channel has been a blessing to me.
6:22 "For a sore throat" I can remember, as kids, my Mum asking us to collect dried pine sap to boil down later for whenever one of us came down with sore itchy throats.
She'd boil the sap to the point where all the "floaters" came to the top the the skim off, and set the rest to cool. Once warm/cool enough to drink, it tasted bad, and it worked.
Sorry, that may not be Appalachian Folklore, but it proved to be good medicine passed down among by Native Inu elders or (the Montagnais) through to my Mum in the
Northern Appalachians of Quebec.
Love these. I've heard a few.
Broom falls, company is coming, if right hand itches, you're going to meet someone new, left hand itches, You're coming into some money. Ears burning, someone is talking about you. Death comes in 3's. I've actually experienced that one. / I enjoy your channel, thank you for sharing all that you do. ❤
Hearing you share just pulls up these childhood memories inside me. Thank you much.
Every New Year’s Day we would have black eyed peas, cabbage (usually sauerkraut) and pork. My parents said it would bring you a good year. Still have it every year.
Black eyed peas and collard greens😋
In Wva we always had cabbage. Whwn i married my husband and moved to South Alabama I HAD to make black eye peas and put a dime in it. So its been Blk eye peas and cabbage every yr for my family
We call it Hoppin John but it's rice instead of cabbage and some kind of pork.
We do black eyed peas and collard greens as well. The collard green symbolize cash money and the peas are coins. So eat this meal and supposed to have wealth for the year. We never got rich but always had food on the table.
My Granny, born in 1902 or 1903 - she never knew for sure, had a saying for everything. The one that always made us laugh was if your nose itches, somebody's coming with a hole in their britches. If I had an easier keyboard I could list a big mess of her sayings. I loved her so much and my kids and grand kids know most of her songs, stories, rhymes and sayings! Thank you for sharing these videos and give your Granny a hug for me.
My gramma used to say, If your nose itches, you're going to kiss a fool. If your ear is ringing, pinch that ear hard, someone's gossiping about you & they'll bite their tongue. If your right hand itches, you're going to shake hands with a stranger. If your left hand itches, you're going to receive money. My gramma always said knock on wood--in Roman times they said, Touch wood--so it's an old saying.
My father was born in 1902 ,his father was born 50 yrs earlier and I was born in 1955 in my family history is very clear .word of mouth so to say. And no I wasn't on Alfred's wiseelf council.
My Great Grandma was born around 1905 & she also used the "hole in their britches" saying😄😁 Texas Panhandle.
My grandma said if you scratched your nose, it means you are gonna kiss a fool!
My granny said nose itches someone coming with a hole in their britches. My Ganny often said when trying to think of something Let me see see see said the blindman, not PC now but this was 60 years ago.. Rather than just saying let me see.. I can hear it now. I catch myself saying it in my mind when thinking. I am 71 and I miss her everyday. We stop for funerals. Always have since I can remember. I love that mustard color on the wall. My 1930s kitchen is that color.
Billy from east TN here and I'd say I've heard and/or done about 75% of the superstitions you talk about in this video. Not sure if this is a superstition or what but in my family we never leave another without saying "I love you". Thanks for keeping the folk lore alive, God Bless Y'all
I loved this video.... I am nearly 80 and grew up with alot of these sayings... and I live in Canada. I smiled at some and there are so many more brought to mind they brought back alot of memories............ thanks for them all.
My younger brother and I were afraid of loud thunder when we were children. But our mother cured us of that fear by telling us it was just the sound of angels bowling up in Heaven!
My mom said it was God bowling as well. Steeerrrriiiiike!! 🎳
My grandma would say God was moving his furniture.
Mom did the same for us
Yes ..i still think of that when it is a bad storm. And when it lightning they made a strike..someone told me it was angel's pulling a potato wagon..
I remember when there was thunder it bowling up in heaven.
“Never leave a rocking chair rocking” was one that I grew up with...because if you get up and leave it rocking, someone will die.
That was a for real rule in my family and now that I’m married I get anxiety when my husband and his family leaves a rocking chair rocking when they get up from the chair. Haha
Yep. And never look into a mirror in the dark. I truly believe that these are based on universal human experiences with the spirit world.
All the way from South Africa, I love your series. Would love to visit one day. I had a Scots Grandmother and I must say that many Appalachian says are very familiar to me. In SA when its sunny and you see rain its called a "monkey's wedding", I think its unique to SA never heard it from others.
We say "the Devil's beating his wife" here in eastern North Carolina when it's sunny outside and raining as well.
I enjoy your videos. They bring memories of family memebers who are long gone. Often, I'm surprised at how many sayings or specific words I remember. Thank you for taking the time to make and share these videos.
When I was little, most women couldn’t drive, so my mom and great aunt would walk to a neighbors house to have dinner and visit sometimes. The always ended up getting a cutting off of some house plant or yard flower. The two of them would tell the neighbor, “Well, we ain’t gonna thank you for these pretty flowers. “ Of course I asked my mom why they never said thank you. She said if you thank the person for the flowers that the flower would die.
I grew up hearing this from my Gram and my Mom...I find myself saying the same when someone gives me a plant or cutting. Blessings🙏🏻💖
Well THAT explains it!!
Note to self... Stop thanking people for flowers and cuttings.
Yep! Forgot about this one
My grandmother never did learn to drive. My grandpa drove her everywhere.....
I have heard that also. If someone gives me a plant I never thank them and they understand why. Dennis Morgan
Red birds are either our deceased loved ones returning to us, or a sign from our deceased loved ones
@Squeezie B, I think that might be Native American.
Red birds are our deceased loved ones paying us a visit...
@@kathybentley4190 Yes. I've heard that from my stepson. His mother is Cherokee from Oklahoma although they were originally from North Carolina. She's always said that whenever she sees a cardinal it's the spirit of her late brother paying her a visit. I'm Lakota from South Dakota and I've never heard that so it's probably regional
@Cedar, Sweet grass, and Sage, thanks for having my back.on that. I am very in tune with what goes on in nature, so I choose to believe this about the red bird. We can learn a lot from Creator from the Earth and its animal and plant helpers. By the way, I am Muskogee 4 times removed on my Dad's side, as well as Cherokee 3 times removed on his side. Although not raised with any knowledge of this, I have always been able to connect to Creator thru nature. Blessings and peace to you and your family!
Worrisome as I have bunches of red birds that live in my yard, have for years. But my family communicates with the dead in dreams so...
My grandmother always said that if you saw the white underside of tree leaves when the wind would blow it meant rain was coming. My great grandmother said to wash your face in rainwater collected from an oak tree stump to treat acne. Thank you for your post! I love hearing about the old ways.
due to turgor pressure and low air pressure proceeding rain
I was raised by my grandparents in Wilkes County, NC on their farm. I heard and learned almost everyone of the sayings you said, plus a few more colorful ones!! And, I especially taught my children about pull over for a funeral.pricession. We turned the radio off and made the sign if the cross for the person who had "passed on".
As a child I remember that my grandmother would put a bible under my pillow when I had a bad dreams...she said it would make them go away. And it did...every time. Many of these tales and superstitions I have heard over the years. Blessings Tipper🙏🏻💖
I am going to try this, I've been plagued by bad & weird dreams for most of my life! 😣 I wake up like every 15 mins or so, and never feel rested. If it works I'll post an update 🙏
@@ahmoseh3718 as an adult I still do this if I have nightmares.... It always works for me. I pray it works for you too! Let me know if it helps next time you experience a bad dream...my Gram was always right. Blessings🙏🏻💖
My great grandma always told me not to fall asleep on my back because it would cause me to have nightmares and it almost always did. I remember as a young teenager asking my friends if they had nightmares when they slept on their back and they looked at me funny and laughed.
@@stacey3637 its true, I would always have suffocating or being strangled dreams if I slept on my back. These stopped when I did fasting and praying for a week.
@@ahmoseh3718 try fasting and praying as well.
we crossed the windshield for black cats and Uncle Gibby said if your palms itch you will be getting money soon if your ears was burning someone was talking bout ya and if we crossed our eyes he would say our faces would stick like that forever so we better quit ! 😂😂❤️
Interesting that so, so, so many of these are also popular in the Anglophone Caribbean. I’ve heard many of these from my folks there. Thanks for sharing.
When your nose itches someone is coming to see you with holes in their britches
I know the palm itching one- I'm in the uk
My grandmother wasn't from Appalachia, she was from rural Missouri but to her dying day she would always leave by the same door she came in.
The same grandmother also had the strangest saying I've ever heard. Whenever something surprised her she would say, "I'll be a suck egg mule!"
The other grandmother always planted potatoes on Good Friday.
My dad used to say the egg mule thing. Also, 'Well I'll swan!' Missouri Ozarks.
This is great! So many of these my grandparents would tell us. Especially my great-grandfather, who coincidentally raised me and was alive until my youngest daughter was 12. Til this day Everytime she sees cows laying down she says it's gonna rain. I love that we are still passing these on. Thank you!
My mother’s father was the caretaker at one of our cemeteries in Savannah, Ga. They lived in the cemetery in the caretakers house. My mother was conceived and born in that very house. She shared stories to us children from time to time. That saying about death comes in threes is so very true. Her daddy would say after they prepared a grave for a death but get ready for two more busy days. They dig graves with shovels back then. Even today death comes in threes.
It really does.
As a small child my mother told me that thunder was the sound of angels bowling.
my step mother always said it was Rip Van Winkle bowling. LOL
I love this sort of folklore. The power of suggestion, often times, helps us get to where we want/need to be. 😊
This is one of my favorite channels. Your content reminds me of my childhood and family growing up in WNC. Congratulations
Born & Raised In West Virginia. Left When I Was 44...
I Think About My Granny’s Many Many Sayings, Remedies & Predictions & WISH WISH WISH I Had Listened Closer & Could Recall MORE Of Her Wisdom.....
If you're single, don't let someone sweep under your feet. You'll never get married.
Our family had a magic cloth. It was red flannel. When we were getting a sore throat my grandmother would wrap it around our throat and secure it with a safety pin. Thank you for these posts. You are a gem.
I love this!! So many of the old sayings, superstitions, etc that you spoke about brought back a flood of fond memories! A LOT of the superstitions & old sayings you mentioned I've heard all my life, & when you started telling a lot of them I'd finish your sentence. Both sets of my grandparents & great-grandparents were from northern middle Tennessee. My genealogy says I'm mostly Scots-Irish. Many of those people settled in the Appalachian mountains when they came from their homeland, & many of our old sayings, superstitions, etc came from those people. I'd love to hear more of these!
An old saying we always heard was, "if it thunders in winter, 9 days later it will snow". I have found this to be true most of the time.
My great-grandfather could "talk the far (fire)" out of a burn. He would draw circles above the burn on one's skin, and whisper something under his breath, and it would remove the pain from the burn. Many family members attest to this, though I never experienced it myself. If my memory serves me correct, he could only tell another person this ability within the family, but the person had to be of the opposite sex.
Planting by the signs were another bit of folklore that my great-grandparents observed and lived by. They seemed to always have the best gardens. Folks before us were much wiser and smarter than we give them credit for!
my mom would draw the fire out. with breathing on the burn some how. ~LuAnn
I always plant my garden by the signs...I find it to be unbelievably accurate! I agree the folks before us were much wiser and savvy than they get credit for...they had to be living in such isolated and difficult regions in Appalachia- although some of the superstitions were far fetched lol - Blessings💖🙏🏻
I had two aunts that could talk the fire out of people but of course they couldn’t tell me how because we were related. (SC)
When I was growing up there was a man in town that could talk fire out of a burn. Also, the owner of the funeral home could talk warts off. There was a chalk board in the funeral home that they would write names of people that called asking for him to talk their warts off on. I was told that it is a gift that is passed down from father to daughter and mother to son. And, my grandmother planted by the moon sign- I still do. (SC)
I always heard that people that could do that were said to be healers, or that they could shine.. and that is only passed down every other generation, to the opposite sex.. as in grandpa to granddaughter, or grandmother to grandson.. It was said that my great grandmother could shine, and I know my dad can, I’ve seen him do it firsthand..
I absolutely adore your videos. I grew up in WV and I am now living in western NC. You remind me of the folks from home and I always feel lighter when listening to you. Thank you for educating about our precious ways.
That is so nice thank you Megan 🙂
many of them I heard as a child. loved the video. time was perfect. not too long, not too short, very informative, perfect as usual. God Bless!
I’ve heard many of these as both grandparents were from Appalachia. My great-aunt wrote a five volume set of stories about life there because she was afraid that way of life was going away. That was in 1978. It was called Quare Do's in Appalachia: East Kentucky Legends and Memorats. It wasn’t a bestseller but I was proud of her. The one saying I remember most is if your right palm itches you’ll owe money and your left you’ll get money. And I can’t walk under a ladder to this day, open an umbrella indoors or break a mirror. 😊. Love your channel!❤️🤗
The book sounds wonderful!
"When the hoot owl hoots in the sweet gum tree, a death in three days there will be." Interesting aside: I was at a party years ago and it was daylight, in Nashville. An owl flew up into a tree overlooking the patio that we were partying on. We all thought that was really weird and unusual. Anyway, three days later, a guy at the party fell down an elevator shaft and died. True story.
@logue444 Very interesting. I'll have to research, when is the most likely time, owls would be up in the trees. I mean like, during what season. I've noticed probably within the last 2 years, the sound of owls, in the backyard, past the dividing fence. Now that I think about it, the family has had at least 3 people pass away within months of each other... But guess what? When I was younger, I heard if you dream that you are spitting out teeth, that was a sign of death. For someone. Now when I was younger, I dreamt spitting out teeth, and sure enough deaths occurred, but since becoming older, this owl situation I'm giving thought to, since I no longer dream of spitting teeth!
That's spooky! I heard that if 13 people eat at a table together that one of them will die within a yr.It came true after my family had a dinner and I happened to count the people at the table.There were 13.I don't know why I remembered that, but within a yr my dad passed away.I heard this superstition a few yrs later.
My girl friend had a barred owl roosting in broad daylight on her trash can one morning. Her son drowned in the lake the next week.
California Native Americans believe the same about owls
It happens!
My family has been in Texas for 4 generations now, but they came (on both sides) from Appalachia (Tennessee, South Carolina, and Virginia), probably 4 or 5 generations there - since 1700's. And, so much of the speech, sayings, and even the cooking that I learned is almost identical to what you are showing us. Probably the main thing added to our food staple is the use of hot chili peppers in just about everything. But my parents and grandparents would have been right at home with the language and the traditions. It is so interesting how the traditions have been passed down. Thank you for sharing with us!
I grew up (in Boston) hearing "things" happens in threes. (Births,deaths,engagements, graduations etc.) I’m a retired nurse (OB primarily, but worked in many disciplines) and the "in threes"saying abounded. The weird thing is sometimes it was scary true!!
I remember hearing if you were pregnant you could mark your baby by looking at certain things.
My mom had a birth mark on her back leg that was round and granny swore it was because when she was pregnant with her she slapped her back leg because a man they gave a ride to ate all of her bologna and that’s why it was round and brown, lol
My granny would fuss at me when I was pregnant to not put my hands above my head. She said it would cause the cord to wrap around the baby's neck.
My Aunt told the story of a patch of hair on her back that was "Pap's beard". When Grandma was pregnant, my grandfather tried to kiss but hadn't shaved, so she put her hand up and he kissed her hand, then she put her hand around her back. That is why there was a patch on my aunt's back.
The French Canadian Grandmother who raised me NEVER would wash her hands in the kitchen sink. She's always go to the bathroom to wash her hands, no matter how inconvenient.
That isn't superstition, that is hygiene.
Absolutely love all of your video's. I am very proud of my family's Appalachian heritage, and these videos bring back so many good memories of my family who grew up and lived in the mountains. I could listen to my family tell stories about life in the mountains for hours. I am very fortunate to have a great strong family. Many of the old time remedies and superstitions you tell us about were brought over from the old countries that the ancestors of the people of Appalachia came from. Merry Christmas, and have a wonderful new year.
Tipper I just love your videos. They bring back so many of my childhood memories. I never realized how much Appalachia guided my life. If only I could have lived there I believe I would have had been so much happier. Big cities in the South aren’t as nice, everyone is in a hurry and chasing the dollar. I should have been sewing and gardening like I was supposed to do.
Thank you for these happy memories of when I visited with my maternal grandmother.
My daddy and granny always said, "It's bad luck to hang or look at a the next years calendar before the new year"
"Death in 3's" is one I believe, the bird in the house was heard often growing up. Stopping the car and removing your hat if afoot is still done in the smaller towns here in East Tenn for funerals passing by. Great topic tonight
Still done in upstate s.c.,a lot of my ancestors come from Applcapp
,
Sorry miss spelled
same about funeral processions in small town AR.
Me Too! Happens Quite Often!
I love your decor, and the view out your window. 💕
My mother's family is from the mountains of western Virginia and I grew up hearing soooo many of these. To this day i always leave by the same door i entered. 😆 thanks for this, it was a walk down memory lane.
As a kid growing up in Eastern Tennessee, we played with box turtles. We were told if we got bit by one, they wouldn't let go till they heard thunder. Also when we killed a snake, we were told they wouldn't stop twisting till the sun went down.
I remember those two.
When I was 7 yrs old we visited my grandmother in Ohio. I had gotten ill the day I got there with a respiratory bug. All I remember is grandma putting vick's on my chest, wrapping one of my grandpa's dirty socks around my neck, and giving me a hot toddy to make me sleep. I felt wonderful the next morning!!!
My mom did the same. Her toddys were of tea, lemon, honey and black berry brandy. She believes in "sweating out a cold" or any sickness for that matter. Put me in a wool blanket on the beach in summer... 😰
You are a great momma..I like listening to you test your girls!
My family lives in central Pennsylvania and I’ve heard many of these from my Mom and grandmother, and great grandmother. My great grandmother also believed in omens. Tipper also reminds me of my grandmother when she was younger. Love your videos.
I love your channel. My Cherokee ancestors were from East Tennessee, before they were made to live in Oklahoma. My grandfather was born in Texas, like the rest of us. However, I am drawn to Appalachia in a way I can’t quite comprehend. My (genius) son told me it was genetic memory. Interesting.
I was raised by my grandparents and taught the ways of the generation of the Great Depression. Many years later, I realized that so many of those Appalachian ways were passed down to me, even though my grandfather was two generations removed from the mountains. Your channel makes me so happy and at peace. I feel as though my beloved grandparents are still here with me and I’m just a curious kid again, soaking it all in. Thank you and please don’t stop making videos.
That makes me feel so good! Thank you so much 😀
If the top of your hand itches your gonna lose money. If the palm itches, your gonna come into money
I've heard that but it went like, left hand itches, money is coming in. Right hand itches, money goes out.
I just can't get enough of y'all. So love your videos.
So many you mentioned, I grew up hearing! Many I haven't heard in a good while. It's always good to hear these little reminders of memories from way back. Thank you so much for sharing!
I absolutely love this channel my Wife and I love seeing the stories and the cooking and my favorite is the music Your girls are great and seems to been raised right.Thanks so much keep up the Good Fight of Faith and always stay close to the Lord and may God always bless y’all
If you gift someone a new knife or a sharpened knife, the person has to give you a penny, so they wont cut themselves.
Or put a pebble in the box.
Ours was you cant gift anyone a knife or it'll cut your friendship. You give them a penny with it and they have to pay you for it.
@@tiarewilliams9186 That's interesting - my great aunt used to say it would cut someone out of the family
@@tiarewilliams9186 yes
For tooth aches, I used cold to numb the pain. Living in western upper Michigan, we were isolated from big cities. The wooly worm was one of our weather folklore, the thickness of the brown band foretells how bad the winter will be. The height of bees or wasp nest also foretells how bad a winter will be. If they build high in the trees, expect lots of snow; closer to the ground a mild winter. East wind, expect chill damp weather. Lots of fog off lake superior means lots of lake effect snow in winter. Which kind of holds true because Lake Superior would be warmer as a result. But if we have a mild winter or the prevailing wind direction differs, well, then that lore wouldn't come true. Then there was some about the copper mining that took place up there. But I forgot those. And living down here in SW lower MI, something about the acorns that fall out of the trees foretells what kind of winter to expect. More acorns means a bad winter. And no acorns means a warm winter. Not always true.
The part about sweeping under one's feet must be true! I'm 49 yrs old and STILL have not been out with a woman - let alone married!
aw, poor guy! I'm 37 myself, and rather "unlucky", heheh.
I live in the northern part of Appalachia. I'm in Butler county, Pennsylvania. I'm smiling as I listen to you. I've been counting the fogs in August for long as I can remember. Red sky in the morning a sailors warning, red sky at night a sailor's delight was a family favorite too. Picture falling off the wall means death and bird flying in the house, and death comes in three's....all sayings I'm familiar with. I love your channel. Thank you for all the great videos!!!
So glad you enjoy our videos 😀
Death does come in 3s. I was a caregiver in assisted living and that always holds true. It really is sad. My Mom's side of the family came from Ireland. I always thought that superstitions came from there. My Mom used to do a lot of them. Things like, never take a broom from your old house with you when you move to a different house. She always threw a pinch of salt over her shoulder if she spilled any of it while she was cooking. And I remember her telling my if your nose itches you're going to kiss a fool. She had quite a few of them that she told me.
Left shoulder and I still do😂😉🥰
If your nose itches, somebodys comin' with a hole in their britches.
Everyone's nose itches. How many fools have you kissed?
If your foot itches,you're going to travel. If your hand itches, you're going to get money. Death comes in threes. If you sew or use scissors on Sunday, you'll pick the stitches out with your nose in Eternity.
I’m in the Tennessee blue ridge mountains and I’ve heard just about all of them.
When I was sick with a fever as a kid, my grandma used to fill a liquor bottle with hot water and place it at my feet in the bed, she put it in a woolen sock. Quite comforting, actually.
I enjoyed this very much. It brought back a bunch of memories. I was always taught that you can’t sew on Sundays, it would bring bad luck. never walk with one shoe on and one shoe off, bad luck. Never sweep after dark, bad luck. So many you mentioned, company coming if your nose itched. Always leave the same way you enter. It’s funny how these things stay with you your whole life! Wouldn’t change one thing my Mom taught me!
Whoever opens a pocket knife has to be the one to close it.
Yep 👍
I’m from Vicco KY. I do put my left shoe on first and totally believe death comes in 3’s. Thank you for sharing and celebrating Appalachia
Remembering those old ways are so important.
Thank you for the video and sharing the folklore stories. My Mom (we are from Arkansas) always said "hurts come in threes." So, if you cut yourself, or got a bruise, you'd get two more injuries or something bad would happen two more times. Another superstition she had was that she never let us take pictures with our vehicles in it because that car/truck would get in an accident. Thanks for letting me share. And thank you for the great videos! 🙏🏻😊💖
My mother-“Good lord, I’m not superstitious, I’m a Baptist.”Don’t open that umbrella inside. Don’t eat any food you’ve canned that summer until the snow flies. Aspirin on your tooth. Really enjoy. We live in Ohio now, no work down home. We all pull over for a funeral, but every family down home has a few members in our town. I think the whole town of Grundy, Virginia now lives here. One family has their reunion up here. As a nurse, we believe death comes in threes.Daddy-always plant your leaf lettuce and spring onions on St. Patrick’s Day, even if you have to take an axe to break up the frozen ground. I remember mother talking about sittin up with the dead. I’m really enjoying your videos, brings back memories of those summers with Mamaw and my aunts in north East Tennessee and southwest Virginia.
I was told females on Thier cycles couldn't be near the canning process or they wouldn't seal/and or spoil
Aspirin on your tooth: when I was a little girl I developed a gum boil. When I went to bed that night Mom put an aspirin on my tooth. When I woke up the next morning the entire smooth lining of my mouth was gone! lol. Don’t use the aspirin! 😝 😂
Grundy misses you. The coldest summer day I ever spent was in the shadow of that mountain (before they hauled it away). God bless.
Does anyone remember why folks would sit up with a dead body?
I dont know why people sat up all night with the dead, but I remember doing this as a child before the funeral home started closing, maybe respect to the family.
Literally, I hear these sayings on a daily basis!
Around here in Utah people always said that if a spider came indoors it was going to rain. For years, this one has helped me tell when the first big fall weather change was going to happen--I suppose they feel the changes in barometric pressure.
I have heard some of the folklore and superstitions as I was growing up. Most of what I heard was about having good or bad luck. I enjoy hearing about different folklore. Thanks for sharing!