Translate

Wednesday, January 6, 2021

Epiphany- Jan. 6th- Women's Christmas- in Ireland, "The roots and traditions of Nollaig na mBan" by Marion McGarry, Galway Mayo Institute of Technology

 https://www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2020/0102/1103975-the-roots-and-traditions-of-nollaig-na-mban/


Analysis: there are many Irish folk rituals associated with January 6th, the last day of Christmas and the day known as Nollaig na mBan

"The twelfth and final day of Christmas, January 6th, was known in Ireland as Nollaig na mBan or Women’s Christmas or Little Christmas. As a reward for their hard work over the Christmas season, it was a day off from all house work for women and traditional roles were supposed to be reversed in the home: men did the women’s work in the house while women rested and gathered together informally.

The custom was that women made social calls to the homes of their friends and neighbours and enjoyed tea and the last of the Christmas cake. However, as it occurred on the very last day of the Christmas, it was acknowledged by some that the treats the women enjoyed were the dregs or leftovers of the festive season. This was unlike the men’s Christmas, Christmas Day, when everyone enjoyed the first and finest of the treats."....

https://www.rte.ie/bosco/components/player/iframe.html?clipid=21488511&autostart=false&src=HSFB&fbclid=IwAR0_5o3bYbOAxA1aJbhM-5R78l-yp2Tb8ocwlTm_Y7cfakpNOoy-KluChQ8

No comments: