Page:Journal of American Folklore vol. 12.djvu/109

 Items of Armenian Folk- Lore collected in Boston. 97

��ITEMS OF ARMENIAN FOLK-LORE COLLECTED IN

BOSTON.

The folk-lore contained in this article represents only a begin- ning of what might be collected if any one had time and patience sufficient for the task. For example, at wedding festivals are still sung songs which might be recorded. These will soon be forgotten, for, through the influence of western civilization, customs are chan- ging in Armenia as well as among Armenians coming to America. I have met but two Armenians who remember any such songs. One is unable to speak English, and the other has forgotten nearly every song he ever knew.

I have met with a number of difficulties in the prosecution of my work. It has been hard for me either to understand my informants, or to make myself understood. People who are able to translate from one language into the other have usually been too busy to give time. In order to overcome this difficulty, I paid a man to translate thirty-four questions into the Armenian language. By the aid of these, and of a young Armenian lady who had been in America but one year, I have been able to obtain at least a third of the material here presented.

Another difficulty I have had to encounter has been the belief that I desired to accumulate material with which to make the Arme- nians seem ridiculous. Even with the assistance of the Armenian preacher who kindly interpreted for me in two instances, it was difficult to induce the people to think differently.

The following items are offered simply as examples of the folk-lore of Armenians in America, so far as they can be learned through translators, and by one who is unacquainted with the language.

DREAMS.

1. If one dreams of digging potatoes he will have money come to him, or some other good fortune.

2. If one dreams of money being at some particular spot, and on awaking goes in search of it, he will find it as he dreamed. How- ever, he must tell no one of his dream. If he does so, he will find only coal.

3. If one dreams of the living as being dead, he may expect good luck.

4. If one dreams of the dead as living, it is because the dead per- son's angel has come to visit his spirit while he slept.

5. To dream of a river, or of a spring, is a good sign, provided it is running. But if it is dry, then some one is going to die.

vol. xii. — no. 45. 7

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