“THE DAFT DAY.”

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 24 December 1925, Page 4 (Supplement)

“THE DAFT DAY.”

OLD SCOTTISH CUSTOMS. The Reformation abolished Christmas as the greatest festival of the Christian year, but it could not abolish it as an occasion for merry-making. Tho old ministers inveighed against its customs on the ground that they were not “warranted in the word of God,” and exhorted tho people to renounce “their wonted and superstitious observance of it, their idleness and intemperance upon it.” Their protests were unavailing. The joyousness of heart which was synonymous with Christmastidc could not be restrained from smiles and laughter, from song and revel. The “daft days” were the holiday of the year, when all were supposed to rest from theiq labours and enjoy themselves. As Christmas drew near, housewives had to see to it that their houses never lacked water. For six weeks beforehand the supply of meat must never run out, else a mermaid would carry away the one who had neglected her duty. And so it was also between Christmas and New Year: — “Atween Yule an’ Yearsmas, Auld wives shouldna spin; An nae lioose should be waterless where maidens lie within.” Preparations for these-feast days were made by baking a sufficient quantity of ceremonial fare, and brewing sufficient ale, to last over New Year’s Day. The fare was of two kinds. “SOOR POOS.” The “Yule bread” was a thin bannock 'of oatmeal, cut into quarters before being placed on the girdle—symbolical of the Cross. The otper was a sour cake, called in Morayshire “soor poos.” its acid flavour was caused by moistening the leaven with the water poured off “sowens.” Both niust bo baked during the night, or at least before daybreak on Christmas morning. .- l-ri Li Garmouth the Yule bread had to bo baked “before the de’il gaed by Birins”—a hill in the neighbourhood. A cake was made for each member of the family. Each one took great caro of it during the day, and made every effort to keep it whole until the time of the evening feast. For, if it remained whole, unbroken, prosperity would bo the lot of its owner during the coming year; but if it were broken, shattered were his. hopes of good fortune, too. LUCK IN OR OUT. A large supply of peats was laid m also. The “peaty neuk” was filled up to the rafters, so- that there might be no lack of warriith during thp ifestive season. A- few peats were, however, left lying outside the door to be taken in on Christmas and New Year’s morning. Something must be taken into tho house on these mornings before anything was taken out of it, otherwise luck would be continually deserting tho house through the following year. “Take out, then take in, Bad luck will come in; Take in, then take out, Bad luck will come out. , Bams and outhouses were cleaned out for the occasion. Rowan branches were hung up over the doors and along tho walls of the stables and byres, to counteract the malign influence of witches and other powers of evil, ilie live stock shared in the general festivity, and were given a supper of unthreshed corn on Christmas Day. And it was averred by the old tolas that at midnight overy living thing voiced its joy at the birth. .of the Saviour. ‘ On . Christmas morning it was. customary to sacrifice a sheep, in order to adhere to the old tradition that blood must be shed .that looming. ; No; work was dbne during: the day. , ; rEvei-yo«e visited and received friends. A wnite Gffiristmas was warmly welcomed. lx there were no snow, one or two'or the old men made a pilgrimage nr The parly , morning to the top of a hill, in the hope of finding some trace of frost, tor “a green Yule male’s a full kirkvaird. The evening was given over to dancing and merriment. r .. HOGMANAY.' The climax' of tne “haft days” Was Hogmanay. It was an occasion loi exercising tho social virtues "to : ; Jibe fullest., Tiiere was no exemption from its influence. ■ Charity, uospitafity, and motherly kindness abounded.— intemperance, alas! also, rind v wonder, for “treating” the puic in every house. . r ' : “The crook” of the house—chimney,, couples, and joists was garlanded with seaweed gathered at ebbtide. Ihen the young men set off, accompanied by a band, demanding admission at farm and cottage alike, collecting'; alms • tortile poor., . The “gudewife,” hearing the approach ox the band, armed , herself with a “besom.” \Vhen the .knock came, she opened the door suddenly.,,; and brought her broom down over tuff head of tne leader. This was to show that she was ready to del end her.iiouse against importunate beggars.; , la express their friendly intentions, however, they then struck up the “Tmggars’ ” chant: — “Tile gweed New Year is now. begun, Besouthen, Besouthen! An’ a’ the beggars begin to run, An’ uwiT by southron toon. We wish you a’ a gweed New Year, Besouthen, Besouthen,! •’ AVi’ worth o’ health ini’ dainty cheer,’. An’ awa’ by southron toon. “Oor shoon are made o’ the red coo s hide, ” Besouthen, Besouthen 1 Oor foot are eauid, we fauna bide,.. An awa’ by southron toon.” Tho “gudewife” then threw open the door and invited the company to eutei . “Come in, come ben, ye’ro welcome here, ; Besouthen, Besouthen 1 _ . Ye’ll get a share o’ oor New - lear cheer, • An’ awa’ by southron toon:

“There’s plenty here, baith but an ben, Bosouthen,v Bcsoutben. . An’ something in the An’ awa’ by southron toon.

NETTLE BURNING. ' First-footing was accompanied by nettle-burning. For some time previous the young folk were on the outlook for a good Iresh bunch of nettles. When they found one, they guarded its whereabouts with great secrecy. r o was the victor who could strike the first blow on hands or Jecfc. Some'wily voutlis, rising early on New A eat 8 morning, secreted them underneath tho bedclothes of their untovtuimtc victims. Then tho sleeper, on giving a morning stretch, received a severe sting on his foot During the day, ba. playing V j,s engaged in by men and boys, while the women Avent along to the miiier s barn to have themselves weighed/* No one would waken another on Now Year’s morning in en.se he brought him had luck. But the early, nser was rewarded. The one who drew the flower o’ the well” was-assured of good luck all the year. And it lie met a dark-haired person first on his way there, lie was doubly lucky. A present of fish was an omen ot p-ood fortune. In fishing villages the fishers curried fir torches round about ti.Vir’ boats on Hogmanay night, to prevent ill-luck following them into the Yew Year. He who landed the first iisli' on New Year’s Day had all tho luck of the village. But the first- fish that fell off his line that morning was put hack into flic sea, because it would otherwise change his luck.

BURNING OF THE CLAVI.E. Tn Lerwick, in the Shetland Lies, and h Moravdiiro. tlm “daft Avr," cciicl'did with ' “'.lie h'lrniwr of " 'j'iijcustom -was disoonlutui.d .in Lu a ick seme JO hr 40 years

ago. In Burghead it is still observed. On Old Yulo night, as darkness falls, tho young men get a couple of strong empty barrels and a supply of tar. A strong pole, five feet long, is inserted into a Hole in the bottom of ono barrel and nailed into position. The other barrel is broken up and placed inside it; the tar is poured over it, and set on fire by a blazing peat. Tho burning elavie is tlign carried in procession round the old boundaries of tho burgh, lollwed by a great crowd of onlookers. It is then taken to tho top of the Doorie Hill, and set upn ft sixmo structure specially built for tho purpose.* It is allowed to burn for about twenty minutes, then the barrel is lifted from its socket and rolled down the western' slope of tho Hill. 'Everyone rushes furiously to capturethe blazing faggots, which are carefully preserved '■ to ward of! misfortune through the ensuing year. ,Scott loved those quaint old observances. Lockhart says that the whole of the ancient ceremonial of the “daft days” obtained respect at Abbotsford. “11c said it was uncanny, and would certainly have felt it very uncomfortable not to welcome the New Year in the midst of his family and a few old friends. ' with an immemorial libation of a diet pint’ ; hut of all the consecrated ceremonies of the time, mine <mve him such delight as .the visit- which ho received as Laird from all the children' of his estate, on tho last morning of every December, when—- “ The cottage bairns sing blithe and gav, At the ha’ door for,Hogmanay