Custom entitled 'Togal an Doinis' [Togail an Donais], 1895
Scope and Contents
Custom written down by John Ewen MacRury, Beinn na Faoghla/Benbecula entitled 'Togal an Doinis' [Togail an Donais] describing how if something was stolen and the culprit not known, the suspects names were written on a piece of paper and if the person performing the charm could not write then a symbol was drawn to represent each suspect. The paper was folded longways, rubbed between the hands and dropped into a bowl of water. If the culprit's name was on the paper it would sink to the bottom of the bowl. The charmer would then tell the supposed culprit and if the property was not returned within three days then the incident would be declared publicly. 'They greatly objected to the raising of the D[evil] as seven y[ea]rs famine was sure to follow in the township after that.' Text has been scored through in pencil as if transcribed elsewhere.
Dates
- Creation: 1895
Language of Materials
English Gaelic
Conditions Governing Access
This material is unrestricted.
Extent
From the Series: 114 folios ; 14 x 20 cm
Physical Location
5.07
Physical Location
folio 33r, line 1 to folio 34v, line 3
Subject
Creator
- From the Fonds: Carmichael, Alexander, 1832-1912 (Excise officer | folklorist and antiquarian | Edinburgh | Scotland) (Person)
- From the Fonds: Watson, William John, 1865-1948 (Professor of Celtic) (Person)
Repository Details
Part of the University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections Repository
Centre for Research Collections
University of Edinburgh Main Library
George Square
Edinburgh EH8 9LJ Scotland
+44(0)131 650 8379
heritagecollections@ed.ac.uk