The John Burrison Georgia Folklore Archive recordings contains unedited versions of all interviews. Some material may contain descriptions of violence, offensive language, or negative stereotypes reflecting the culture or language of a particular period or place. There are instances of racist language and description, particularly in regards to African Americans. These items are presented as part of the historical record. This project is a repository for the stories, accounts, and memories of those who chose to share their experiences for educational purposes. The viewpoints expressed in this project do not necessarily represent the viewpoints of the Atlanta History Center or any of its officers, agents, employees, or volunteers. The Atlanta History Center makes no warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of any information contained in the interviews and expressly disclaims any liability therefore. If you believe you are the copyright holder of any of the content published in this collection and do not want it publicly available, please contact the Kenan Research Center at the Atlanta History Center at 404-814-4040 or reference@atlantahistorycenter.com.
In the first part of this recording, Varter Yaghjian and Roxie Mooradian tell Armenian folk tales. Yaghjian starts by reciting three stories about Nasreddin Hoca Hodga (1208-1285), a recurring character in Muslim folklore. Each tale incorporates satire to reveal Hodgas trickster mentality and humorous qualities; in the first, Hodga borrows his neighbors birth-giving boiler; in the second, he eats a free meal at his neighbors wedding; and in the third, he attempts to make yogurt by the lake. At 3:44, Roxie Mooradian tells a tale about a blind man who falsely accuses a couple of stealing his donkey and his wife. At 6:37, Mooradian tells a joke about a man continuously playing the cello. Then at 7:33, she recites a story titled Bargain[ing] is foolish that teaches the consequences of stealing and cheating. At 10:55, Yaghjian tells another tale about Hodga; in this one he flaunts a fur coat in front of his neighbors. She then repeats a series of retorts exchanged between a drunk husband and wife. At 12:24, Mooradian tells a story about a blind man always ungrateful for the provisions he receives, then a joke about a foolish hunter encountering a bear. At 14:50, Cathy Johnson tells a series of scary tales, beginning with one in which two girls are murdered while staying in a dormitory. She then recites stories about a haunted cemetery, a child murderer, and a young man with pure white hair. Next at 29:07, Hugh Phillips tells two stories about seemingly successful men, but one owes money to the bank, the other cannot write his name. Phillips then tells a story about a town drunks conversation with a sheriff. At 32:54, he quotes the drunk man and repeats a racial slur about African Americans. To conclude the interview, at 33:41, he recites a rags to riches tale about a man who turned his handicap into an asset. Starting at 34:57, the audio is blank until the end of the recording.
Varter Yaghjian (1895-1973) was born in Armenia (present-day Turkey). She had two brothers and one sister. On June 7th, 1914, she married Sahag Asadoor Yaghjian (1887-1969) and they moved to Detroit, Michigan. After the death of her husband in 1969, she lived in Culver City, California, with one of her daughters, Ashene Stankiewicz (1917-2012). Arax Roxie Mooradian (1915-2005) was born in Providence, Rhode Island, to Sahag Asadoor Yaghjian (1887-1969) and Varter Yaghjian (1895-1973). She grew up in Detroit, Michigan, where she later flew her own plane and opened a beauty shop. In 1946, she married William Bill Mooradian (1910-2007) and moved to Atlanta, Georgia. She was fluent in Armenian and frequently traveled to Armenia. Cathy Johnson (1957- ) was born in Atlanta, Georgia, and had two siblings, Elizabeth and Robert. She attended Sylvan Hills High School in Atlanta. No additional biographical information about Cathy Johnson has been determined. Hugh Phillips (1916-2003) was born in rural Georgia, the next-to-the-youngest child of seventeen children. He was the Executive Vice President of the Fulton Federal Savings and Loan Association and listed in Georgia Whos Who. Phillips married Dorothy C. Phillips, and they had one daughter, Lynda Phillips Whipple.
A PDF transcript exists for this recording. Please contact an archivist for access.
Professor John Burrison founded the Atlanta Folklore Archive Project in 1967 at Georgia State University. He trained undergraduates and graduate students enrolled in his folklore curriculum to conduct oral history interviews. Students interviewed men, women, and children of various demographics in Georgia and across the southeast on crafts, storytelling, music, religion, rural life, and traditions.
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