Oie Houney
The earliest references to Oie Houney is in the song, which is ‘traditional’ at the time of Train (1845):
The Druidical festival of Allhalloweven, called by the Islanders Sauin, has been observed in the Isle of Man till a late period, by kindling of fires, with all the accompanying ceremonies, to prevent the baneful influence of fairies and witches.
The Island was perambulated at night by young men who struck up at the door of every dwelling-house, a rhyme in Manks, beginning:—
“Noght oie howney hop-dy-naw.
This is Hollantide Eve, &c.”
Turnips
‘Moot’ is Manx dialect; it is not Manx Gaelic. The Gaelg for ‘turnip’ is ‘napin’ . Turnips, as a vegetable, were only introduced to the IOM in the 1780s, and they were still a novelty in the 1810s:
"About thirty years have elapsed since the introduction of turnips as an article of field culture in this island. At present it is extending, but not in the degree they merit."
[Thomas Quayle 'General View of the Agriculture of Isle of Man' (1812)]
https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=149580752664173&ref=watch_permalink
Cabbages
These preceded turnips, with youths using them to bang on the doors – ‘Thump the Door Night’ was the name commonly used for it even at the start of the 20thCentury
(https://www.facebook.com/culturevannin/posts/1777645735701247)
Soddag Valloo (Dumb Cake)
Mix together a cake made of flour and eggs, and also add in things like eggshells and soot etc. After this foul mixture is baked, eat it and then retire to bed without speaking a word (hence the name of the cake). In your dream, you should then see the person who you are destined to marry.
The stolen salt herring
Firstly, go and steal a salt herring from a neighbour’s house. This should be done in the dark, without them knowing. Roast it in its own brine and then eat all of it – even the skin and bones. Do this in silence and don’t drink any water. At midnight, retire to bed backwards and undress in the dark. Your dreams will reveal your future spouse.
A mouth of water and a pinch of salt
Fill your mouth with water, hold a pinch of salt in each hand, and go and secretly go to listen in on your neighbours. The first name mentioned in their conversation will be that of the person you will come to marry.
Nuts in the grate
Put some nuts in the fire and name them with the names of yourself and the people you’re romantically interested in. If a nut cracks or jumps, then you are not destined to be with that person. But if your nut burns peacefully together with another, then you will be married.
Throwing a ball of wool
At midnight, take a ball of wool secretly to the barn. Twist the end of the yarn around your wrist and throw the ball as far as you can into the darkness. Wind it back in and if you find it held in the darkness, call out: ‘Who is holding the thread?’ You will then hear the name of the person you will one day marry.
We would love to welcome visitors from afar but at the moment our borders are shut so we can't promote our usual travel packages but hopefully next year!
If you are travelling from elsewhere on the Island look out for the parking signs for parking as the promenade is likely to be packed.
If dressing up is not your thing but you would like to be involved then we need marshals, make up, wardrobe assistants, merchandise sellers - please get in touch.
Friday 30th October
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