What does mummers mean in Newfoundland?
Mummering, or mumming, is a Christmas-time house-visiting tradition practised in Newfoundland and Labrador, Ireland, City of Philadelphia, and parts of the United Kingdom.
What is the origin of the mummers?
Where does it originate? Mummers have their roots in the past, tracing as far back as ancient Egypt. They’re best documented during the medieval period, where the mummers’ play was a popular pastime for the poor. There’s a wide variety of mummer plays, but they’re characterized by big masks and pantomime traditions.
Why was mummering banned in the 1800s?
During the 1850s and ’60s, mummering became associated with violence, often along religious lines. It came to a head in 1860 when Isaac Mercer was murdered, which led to a ban on mummering. Though it might have been illegal, mummering persisted, especially in smaller communities where police presence was more lax.
What important events happened in Newfoundland?
Timeline
- 986 or 990: Bjarne Herjulvson, a Viking, sighted the coast of Labrador.
- 1497: Newfoundland rediscovered by John Cabot and claimed for England (Britain’s oldest colony) .
- 1500s: English, French, Basque, and Portuguese fishermen contested the area.
- 1534: Jacques Cartier visited Newfoundland.
What is the Canadian word for mummers?
The earliest record of mummering in Canada is in 1819. It now takes place each year around Christmas. Also known in Newfoundland as jennying or jannying, this folk tradition involves people dressing up in flamboyant clothes, masking their faces and distorting their voices in order to conceal their identities.
Why is it important that the Newfoundland mummers identity be guessed by the host?
A great guessing game ensues as the hosts try to guess the identities of the mummers. When correctly identified, the revellers remove their masks, but if not identified, they can keep them on.
What does Mummer stand for?
“It’s any man, woman or child involved in the fantasy of song, dance and costume splendor on each January 1st in the annual Philadelphia New Year’s Day parade,” said Martz. The mummers devote an entire year to crafting their costumes, writing their skits and rehearsing their performances.
Why do mummers cover their face?
Part of the fun was guessing who was under the outlandish costumes, but for some, disguises were a way to conceal their true identities while they did things that were illegal, even violent. “There was always some evidence of skullduggery as part of the mummering tradition,” Dohey said.
What was Newfoundland known for?
It’s known for its colourful houses and colourful personalities. The history dates back centuries and it’s easily one of the most beautiful provinces in Canada. The ancient architecture and windy streets truly make it stand out from the rest of Canada.
Why was Newfoundland important to Canada?
Newfoundland became an important strategic armed forces base during the Second World War. This brought back prosperity thanks to American, British and Canadian military investment. By 1949, the colony had cleared its debts and enjoyed a $40-million surplus.
What are Irish mummers?
Mumming is a beautiful, old Irish Christmas time, house visiting tradition involving a group of friends or family who dress in disguise and visit homes of their neighbours and community during the twelve days of Christmas.
When did mummering begin in Newfoundland?
The practice made its way to Europe in the Middle Ages and was eventually brought to North America by European settlers. In Newfoundland, these settlers consisted primarily of English and Irish immigrants. Though it is not known exactly when Mummering began on the Island, the earliest written record of the practice dates back to 1819.
What is the history of the Mummers Festival?
Now a staple of St. John’s revelry, the Mummers Festival started nine years ago as a joint initiative between the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador and Memorial University’s Folklore Department. They’d gotten a grant to host a folklife festival, with the theme left up in the air.
What happened to the island’s Mummer?
The island’s tradition of mummering was exported from a very specific part of the British Isles and refined into its own particular species, which, threatened by change, almost went extinct—until just a few years ago, when a local organization intervened in its imminent death and resuscitated mummering for the modern world.
What did the Mummers do in the 1800s?
In the 1800s, parties of drunken mummers would walk the streets with sticks, or bladders full of rocks tied on, and they would use the cover of their disguises to beat others up. Sometimes the hobby horse skull would be used as a weapon.