the origins and practice of hogmanay
DESCRIPTION
A brief outline of the history and practice of hogmananyTRANSCRIPT
THE ORIGINS AND PRACTICE OF HOGMANAY
Cameron [email protected]
Etymology
Hogmanay was first recorded in 1604 inthe Elgin Records as hagmonay (delatit tohaue been singand hagmonayis onSatirday); and again in 1692 in an entryof the Scotch Presbyterian Eloquence, "Itis ordinary among some plebeians in theSouth of Scotland to go about from doorTo door upon New-years Eve, cryingHagmane."
The etymology of hogmanay remainsobscure and may arise from a French,Norse or a Goidelic (Insular Celtic) root.
The Festival of the Dead
In the old Celtic calendar, New Year fell on the 1st
November and was called Samhain.
This was an unreal time, when one year turnedinto another. A twilight zone where spirits of thedead and those not yet born walked freely amongthe living.
It was a time of plenty as the stocks werereturned from the hills before the severe winterahead and a great time for kinship as the hilldwellers came to the gathering.
Remnants of the Festival of the Dead are found throughout the Celtic and Hispanic world and lastfrom Halloween to New Year.
Samhain
When Lun the Sun God was defeated by
his darker side he became the Lord of
Misrule.
Good people needed the comfort oftheir own kind and protection from
theEvil forces of the dark.
Much of the sacred symbolism ofSamhaimn can be found in thecustoms of Halloween and
Hogmanay.
Lord of Misrule or the Ghost of Christmas Past
First Footing
In the New Year many cultures believedthe first foot to cross the thresholdbrought the house good fortune for thecoming year.
Suspicious people refused to leave theirhome until they were first footed.
"First footing" is a Celtic custom andtradition demands the first person after
thebells to enter the house must be a sonsy(trustworthy); a stranger of dark
complexion;and carry a luck talisman.
A person with fair complexion
brought bad luck.
The Talisman
Bearing gifts as a good luck charm for the
year ahead is an old Viking custom.
In Scotland this involved: Black Bun ( a pastry covered rich
currentcake); and a wassail (hot toddy) to represent food
andsustenance for the coming year.
Combined with coal to symbolized good
luck and prosperity.
Arched foot
In the Isle of Man (UK) a goodfirst footer was a man of
handsome appearance and dark complexionwith in-steps high enough to allow
amouse to run through.
The significance of the arched footremains unclear but early
Christiansbelieved men were made in theimage of God and the Christian
Foothad a perfect arch.Flat feet or splayed feet were considered
the sign of evil and unlucky omens
The Evil Foot
Functional feet were important tothe early Christians as walking was the only means to spreadthe Gospel. Subsequently wellformed feet became associatedwith joy and happiness. Literatureabounds with reference to this.
Prior to modern medicine illnessand deformity were regarded as aform of demonic possession.
After the Bells
The modern interpretation is after hearing the
New Year Bells , friends visit each other's
homes sharing goodwill and treating them to
intoxicating liquor.
The Celts held alcohol in very high esteem and
was an important part of ritual.
In the past first footing had practical purpose
which allowed everyone in the village to meet
the New Year with good cheer; and allow the
superstitious to leave their abode after being
first footed.
Ner’day Dinner
In Scotland families gather on Ner’day(New Year‘s Day) and feast like thetraditional Christmas Day.
This represents the modern “gathering ofthe clans, ” and certain foods are thoughtto bring good fortune for the New Year.These include a thick Scotch broth: SteakPie; and a Clootie dumpling (a sweetfruit pudding).
It is not uncommon in Celtic tradition tohave an extra place set at table forunexpected guests.
Auld Lang Syne
Auld Lang Syne is a traditionalayre given lyrics by RobertBurns but was not traditionallysang at Hogmanay until the
20th
century after it was played ata New Year celebration inNew York.
The sentiment expressed isperfect for the occasion andhas been associated ever
since.
Commonwealth of Australia
WARNING
This material has been copied and communicated to you by or on behalf of The Footman © pursuant to Part VB of
the Copyright Act 1968 (the Act).
The material in this communication may be subject to copyright under the Act. Any further copying or
communication of this material by you may be the subject of copyright protection under the Act.
Do not remove this notice
Copyright Regulations 1969