Mummering in Newfoundland

This year marked the second annual Mummers Parade in St. John’s, Newfoundland. I wrote a bit about this last year, but was apparently too clueless to fill you in on the details.

Mummering is an old Christmas tradition (also known as “janneying”) predominant in Newfoundland and Labrador. It’s mostly outlawed now, but I know some rural communities still participate among friends and family.

Mummer lovin, had me a blast.

Mummer lovin’, had me a blast.

The whole affair is supposed to be a lively, fun celebration…but some texts allude to a mischievous side of Mummering in the past as well. Whatever the case, this year’s parade was another hit and a lot of fun, even if once again I missed the Rig-Up and ended up not actually being in the festivities.

This is a Hobby Horse. Some of these things have glowing red eyes.

This is a Hobby Horse. Some of these things have glowing red eyes.

 

How to be a Mummer

 

1. Dress up in ridiculous fashion to become completely disguised. Nobody should be able to guess your gender. Some fashion tips: wear a huge, grandmother’s bra outside a plaid work jacket; place a lace doily over your face; stuff the ass of your pants with fabric; carry an Ugly Stick; wear a toque.

2. Go around your community armed with accordions and other musical instruments, and knock on neighbour’s doors while shouting, “ANY MUMMERS ‘LOWED IN?” The correct way to speak like a Mummer, however, is to use an ingress of breath (i.e. speak while sucking in your breath, rather than blowing out).

Guy on unicycle FTW.

Guy on unicycle FTW.

3. Carry lots of alcohol.

4. Take over your host’s house, dancing jigs, playing a reel, and generally causing a ruckus. Lots of Purity syrup and Golden Wedding should be on hand.

Mummers band, not bad.

Mummers band, not bad.

5. Have the onlookers guess your identity.

6. Leave.

You can imagine why this is illegal in some places, but I’ve never heard of any Mummering stories gone wrong (correct me if I’m lying). It’s Newfoundland, after all, and it’s likely if you go into someone’s home and torment the hell out of a family, you’ll get chased from town.

In the meantime, enjoy these videos taken from the parade. Not sure what the drums have to do with anything, but it works.

 

  • December 20 2010

    I remember that post from last year. This looks very cool Its such a unique tradition. Maybe you can write about it for a publication? And what’s an Ugly Stick?

    • December 27 2010

      Yeah, I’m thinking about it! I showed you the Ugly Stick video on Twitter, right? So fun.

  • December 20 2010

    What a wacky tradition! I never gave Newfoundland a second thought before reading your site and the tapping plaid thing at the Olympics, but now it looks like such a wild, unique place. Love that you post this kind of stuff!

    • December 27 2010

      I’m so happy to hear you say that, Kate! Hehe. Feels like my duty.

  • December 21 2010

    A holiday with costumes and alcohol? I’m in.

    • December 27 2010

      Pretty much every holiday in NL.

  • December 21 2010

    Mummering sounds awesome. Nothing goes better together than alcohol and anonymity. I wish Midwesterners did stuff like this. You guys should branch out and go on a mummering tour through North Dakota.

    • December 27 2010

      Hahaha, worldwide mummering. I think we’d get shot at a lot.

  • December 21 2010

    Dude, does that one guy have a CHRISTMAS TREE as a prop?! Ahaha! This is awesomesauce.

    • December 27 2010

      YES! And another has a sailboat on his head…

  • December 21 2010

    your post from last year makes me sad because there’s SNOW in it :( le sigh. . .

    Anyhow, definitely sad we couldn’t rally for the rig up this year… but at least we made the parade at all! Considering the state we were in the night before, that was a feat in and of itself ;)

    Here’s hoping next year you’re to far away to participate… but I’m sure the mummer’s festival will be around for years to come, we’ll make it into the parade one day ;)

    • December 27 2010

      Hahah, I was thinking that too when I was reading my old post…next year indeed! If I’m here…

  • December 22 2010

    Some love was left for you…

    http://www.recommendeddailydose.com/?p=7073

  • December 23 2010

    I am so completely blown away and flabbergasted at how effing cool mummering is and that i have never engaged in this rambunctious ruckus!
    You crazy Newfoundlanders!!

    • December 27 2010

      Start a trend in Seattle, Joshy! Share the Newf love.

  • December 23 2010

    What’s a rig-up and I must visit St. John if for no other reason than this parade

    • December 27 2010

      Agreed! Hahaha. The Rig-Up is the dress-up part of the parade…everyone meets beforehand and swaps clothing. Or various pieces of cloth…

  • December 24 2010

    Sounds like jolly good fun! Happy holidays!!

  • December 18 2011
    JayelleMo

    The “mummering gone wrong” thing comes from a long time ago. There was a fisherman killed in Bay Roberts in the 1860s.

    http://www.thetelegram.com/News/Local/2010-12-20/article-2055987/Mummers-and-murder/1

    • December 30 2011

      SUPER informative article, thanks so much for the link

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