|
|
| Dumb Cake (Soddag
Valloo) |
The ancient festival of
All Hallowe'en was held on 11th November - the last night of the Celtic year.
In the isle of Man it was known as Hollandtide Eve or "Hop-tu-Naa" a name
believed to have the same origin as the Scottish "Hogmanay"; at any rate the
rituals have a certain similarity.
Mummers
went from house to house knocking at all the doors with turnips or cabbages on
sticks, and singing a special song until they were given potatoes, or herring,
or bonnags.
The song went something like
this:-
Hop-tu-Naa - I met an old
woman
Tra-la-laa - She was baking
bonnags
Hop-tu-Naa - I asked for a
bit
Tra-la-laa - She gave me a bit, as big as
my big toe.
Hop-tu-Naa - She dipped it in
milk
Tra-la-laa - She wrapped it in
silk
Hop-tu-Naa,
Tra-la-laa
Jinny the Witch flew over the
house
To catch a
stick to lather the mouse
Hop-tu-Naa,
Tra-la-laa
If you don't give us something
we'll run away
With the light of the
moon.
Nowadays, Hop-tu-Naa is
celebrated on 31st October, and the children carry turnip lanterns from house
to house.
The traditional Hollandtide Eve
supper was potatoes, parsnips and fish mashed together with butter. The
left-overs of the meal were not removed from the table in case the fairies were
hungry, and crocks of fresh water were put out for them.
Dumb cake was baked and eaten in silence by young ladies on
Hollandtide Eve. It was made from flour and water, without leaven, and baked in
the hot turf ashes. A piece was to be eaten while walking backwards towards the
bed.
The yound lady's future husband was
supposed to appear in her dreams that night.
|
|
|
|
