What does mummering mean in Newfoundland?
What does mummering mean in Newfoundland?
The custom of ‘mummering’ – in which groups of friends go from house to house, disguising their faces and playing the fool – has sprung back to life in Newfoundland.
What is the history of mummers in Newfoundland?
Mummering originated in England and Ireland, and the earliest record of it in Newfoundland dates to 1819, according to the Newfoundland and Labrador Heritage project. During Christmas season, people would disguise their identities using a mishmash of household items and travel door to door to neighbors’ homes.
What is the point of mummering?
“It’s any man, woman or child involved in the fantasy of song, dance and costume splendor on each January 1st in the annual Philadelphia New Year’s Day parade,” said Martz. The mummers devote an entire year to crafting their costumes, writing their skits, rehearsing their performances.
Why is it important that the Newfoundland mummers identity be guessed by the host?
A great guessing game ensues as the hosts try to guess the identities of the mummers. When correctly identified, the revellers remove their masks, but if not identified, they can keep them on.
What is the origin of the mummers?
The Philadelphia Mummers Parade is believed to be one of the oldest folk festivals in America, and a tradition that has been going on since the time of ancient Egyptians. However, the word Mummer can be traced back to ancient Greece. It is derived from Momus, the personification of satire and mockery.
Why are mummers called mummers?
The Mummers derive their name from the Mummers’ plays performed in Philadelphia in the 18th century as part of a wide variety of working class street celebrations around Christmas.
Where did mummers come from?
Where does it originate? Mummers have their roots in the past, tracing as far back as ancient Egypt. They’re best documented during the medieval period, where the mummers’ play was a popular pastime for the poor. There’s a wide variety of mummer plays, but they’re characterized by big masks and pantomime traditions.
When should I go mummering?
Also known as mumming or janneying, it typically involves a group of friends or family who dress in disguise and visit homes within their community or neighbouring communities during the twelve days of Christmas.
Do the Mummers still exist?
Today there are over 15,000 people who march on New Years Day. These 15,000 individuals are divided into 4 different groups that include: Comic, Fancy, Fancy Brigade and String Band. These different groups represent different parts of the parade.
