Customs
Found in 215 Collections and/or Records:
Custom entitled 'Goisteachd' and 'Blood Brotherhood', 9 January 1895
Custom entitled 'Togal an Doinis' [Togail an Donais], 1895
Custom for 'La-Fheil-Bride', c1870
Custom for 'La-Fheil-Bride' [La Feille Bhride, St Bridget's Day] in which a person was sent to the strand to bring home a partan [crab] which was then placed in the middle of the house. If the crab went towards the upper end of the house, the family would remain in the house but if it went towards the door, it indicated that they would have to leave.
Custom for making a mare retain a foal, 26 May 1869
Custom probably collected from Penelope MacLellan, Ormacleit/Ormaclete, Uibhist a Deas/South Uist which reads 'Going 3 times southwise of the cladh [graveyard] made a mare retain her foal, and this was done to all the mares in Uist [Uibhist]. Also notes that that Clann Mhuirich had a tearmad or sanctuary, which meant that when someone reached Clachan Staoligeary [Clachan Stadhlaigearraidh] they were safe.
Custom for repelling the neas [stoat] from calves, 7 August 1886
Custom probably collected from Duncan Cameron, police officer, Tobar Mhoire/Tobermory, Muile/Isle of Mull, for repelling the neas [stoat] from calves stating that as stoats hate the smell of burning, people burn the tail and leg of a new calf or old leather.
Custom of horse racing, gathering carrots and celebrations on the Isle of Barra on saints days, 25 September 1872
Custom of 'Oiche an Da Shuiper' [The Night of the Two Suppers], 1904
Custom of 'Oiche an Da Shuiper' [The Night of the Two Suppers], which was held on 22 June each year. In Cataibh/Sutherland there was a supper at nine o'clock and another at midnight. 'The time between was passed in great festivities dancing and singing'. Text has been scored through as if transcribed elsewhere.
Custom on La Fheill Brìde [St Bride's Day], 20 November 1873
Custom on La Fheill Brìde [St Bride's Day] that people went to the beach and brought back a crab [partan] which was placed in the middle of the floor. If the crab 'went to uac[hd]ar an tai[gh]' [the top of the house] 'the man re[mained] on the lar am bliana, if he went to the door he left'. Carmichael notes that hte custom is 'Not now done.'
Custom regarding dust and ashes at New Year, 1884
Custom regarding dust and ashes at New Year, that they should not be put out but be kept behind the door to [keep out the fairies] (text is unclear).
Custom regarding the attendance of fathers at the funeral of their stillborn or unbaptised children, September 1909
Custom regarding the attendance of fathers at the funeral of their stillborn or unbaptised children. It states that they do not attend the funeral and go about their ordinary work and that if they do attend they will have no more children. Text has been scored through as if transcribed elsewhere.