Any Mummers ‘loud in? Every Newfoundlander will know this famous first line to the Simani’s classic Christmas tune, The Mummers Song, played all over the Island. The song takes us through the story of 20 or more people visiting a grandmother during the holidays and she is more than excited to let them in (see video below). The twist is these are not your regular callers. These are Mummers and with them come hundreds of years of laughter, celebration and for some controversy, but not just in Newfoundland, all over the world.
What is a Mummer?
For those reading asking themselves, what in the name of jaysus is a Mummer? Mummers are people dressed up in random articles of clothing and objects found around the house. Mummering, in Newfoundland, is when mummers walk door-to-door at Christmas asking if they’re allowed in for a skuff (dance), a scoff (food) and a drink.
How did they get this name?
The word mummer is Old French from momer to ‘act in a mime’. This makes sense as mummers don’t speak! The point of dressing up is so you can move from house to house, ack silly and not get recognised by your neighbours. Trying to guess who’s the fool dressed up in a bra over their rain jacket, a lace napkin covering his face and a straw gardening hat is a lot of fun too. Letting strangers wearing masks in your house would not be common practice anymore in most places in the world for obvious reasons but some small towns in rural Newfoundland still welcome mummers with open arms and actually look forward to the tomfoolery.
Where did it all begin?
Cornwall, England is known for many things: Cornish hens, pasties, amazing dairy, phenomenal landscapes and Prince Philips partner, Camilla is the Duchess of Cornwall. In a small west-coast Cornwall town are where the mummer tradition was born. The place is called Padstow and they celebrate this ancient mid-winter celebration on boxing day (St. Stephens Day in Ireland).
They call it Mummers Day.
It has Pagan origins and like mimes, they paint their faces. The day is also known as Darky Day because instead of white, they paint their faces black. Before you think the worst, they use black because it’s the opposite of the white they use and wear in the mid-summer festival so it is not to imitate skin colour. Though it gets negative press, locals continue this pagan tradition.
The Mummer tradition traveled
Parts of Ireland also adopted the tradition and when settlers landed in Newfoundland and Nova Scotia, Eastern Canada, the annual celebration came with them. Of course, we added our own flare! Newfoundland runs an annual Mummer Festival from the end of November to mid-December full of activities for the whole family.
Eastern USA has its own version. For the last 120 years In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania every New Years Day they go all out! There is a massive televised Mummer parade full of costumes, music and all things merriment. It’s arguably the oldest folk festival in the USA. You would think the English or Irish started it but the first settler there were from Sweden and Finland so they brought the tradition to Philadelphia. This make sense as Paganism was found throughout Europe.
A fun fact from the parade is they appoint a “speech director”, who performers a special dance with a traditional rhyme:
“Here we stand before your door,
As we stood the year before;
Give us whiskey; give us gin,
Open the door and let us in.
Or give us something nice and hot
Like a steaming hot bowl of pepper pot!”
Distance didn’t stop the controversy
There is controversy surrounding the parade. Black face was banned from the Philadelphia parade in 1968 but people continue to do it along with brown and red faces. It continues to get called out for its racial insensitivity. You can see the history of the parade at a museum in Philly dedicated to the day.
So, does the joy of the tradition outweigh the dark cloud over these celebrations? Although Newfoundlanders sometimes wear white pillow cases over their heads when mummering which can look way too much like a known radical group from southern USA, the intent isn’t the same. It’s worn out of lack of available options and with light spirit.
Moving Forward
I’m not here to debate, you can make up your own mind. I know when I go home for the holidays and if I’m lucky enough to come across a group of mummers lollygagging’ down the path I’ll be a very happy man.
Happy Holidays everyone!
Larry and Chris
YouTube – Subscribe Here
Instagram – @GaysAroundTheBay
Email – Submit your email in the subscription box
Thanks guys!
Chris and Larry
