FESTIVE CUSTOMS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22615, 31 December 1936, Page 13

FESTIVE CUSTOMS

NEW YEAR'S ADVENT HOGMANAY IN SCOTLAND NEW ZEALAND'S GREETING The celebration of New Year's Day bn January 1, although it appears now like'part of the fixed order of tho universe, is in 'reality of comparatively recent origin and is far from universal in its application. It was the reform of the calendar by Pope Gregory NHL jn the sixteenth century that definitely fixed the present arrangement. His pew calendar \\ as at once accepted by nil Roman Catholic countries in 1582, ami Scotland adopted it in 1600. England, however, was held back by prejudice, and it was not until 1752 that in England New Year's Day was officially transferred from March 25 to January 1. 1 lie Greek Church, the Jews, the Mohammedans and others each have a different day of their own choice from which to date their new year. Although' the date is .a purely arbitrary one and does not even correspond exactly with the "turn of tho year," when the days'begin to draw in, January 1 is naturally accepted as a definite turning point marking an end and a beginning. For some reason it has long had special significance attached to it in Scotland and in Scottish communities abroad, and also in the northern parts of England. Influence ol Christmas Many oi the quaint and curious customs formerly observed, however, have now fallen into disuse. As far as these involved the giving and receiving of gifts, expressions of goodwill and the repairing of sundered friendships they have probably been overshadowed and febsorbed in the festivities of Christmas.

In Scotland, Hogmanay—a word the iprigin of which seems to have been lost —was the name given to the last day of the old year and to tho kind of cake then commonly given to children. The day was one of special privilege for the young people, and there are veterans in New Zealand to-day who can well, remember making one of a grotesquely garbed band of youngsters who trooped from door to door Bhoutinc their sturdy song:— JJise tip, guid wife, and shak yer feathers, Dinna thinlc that we are bepprars. \Ve_are bairns come oot to play. Get up and gie's oor hogmanay. The response expected and received from the "guid wife" was a piece of cake, or, in some places, spice bread end cheese and perhaps a drink of her special brew. Toasting the New Year The coming of the New Year was supposed to be deeply associated with good or ill fortune, and among the adults the celebrations consisted largely in foregathering with a supply of appropriate liquid nourishment to exchange good wishes and drink to health, wealth and prosperity in the coming year. As far as New Zealand is concerned the most persistent and widespread of the old customs is that of "firstfooting," based on the idea that good fortune for all the new year is associated with the first person to cross the threshold of the house after midnight. Gifts used often to be given to the visitors, and it remains the custom at any rate to give them hospitable entertainment. There are many superstitions attached to this custom, laying down what is and what is not lucky; and it is, for instance, particularly fortunate if the first to cross the threshold should be a dark-haired man.

New Zealand's Welcome In New Zealand cities the crowds foregather at some central point to await the striking of the midnight hour, which is the signal for the unloosing of all the piercing noises that the revellers'can create. In lower Queen Street the scene is something of a carnival, with youths in fancy hats blowing trumpets and squeakers and exhibiting the customary signs of youthful high spirits. Amid fireworks and hilarity the New Year is freely toasted in liquor, and a certain amount of dancing takes place. The spirit of mischief is abroad and the crowd will Eornetimes rock or overturn a motorcar or even .turn its vigorous attentions to a- tramcar. Lying immediately west of the international date line, Samoa and New Zealand have the distinction of being the first to begin the celebrations of the New Year. Two hours later the welcome will be taken up in Australia and exactly 12 hours Inter in Britain. The midnight hour will then pass across the American continent and out into the Pacific again until, a full 24 hours after Auckland has voiced its welcome, the whole world will have ushered in the new year.