To think more should be made of our local myths, folklore and traditions

[Feelingathomenow]

Britain, and indeed the whole of the western world, seems to be becoming increasingly divided. Political ideologies v political ideology, Religion against religion, race against race, sex against sex.

For a society to be strong, it needs common values, common beliefs and common rituals. It needs shared stories we can relate to and make reference to.

This is where myths and traditions have always played a vital part. Britain is full of local stories that people have all eagerly shared, stories everyone knew that brought people together. story telling is so very important to humanity and always has been. Traditions where everyone played their part either as participator or spectator, either way it brought a community together, these kinds of rituals have proven benefits for all.

People in Devon and Cornwall always knew about the pixies and people round here often blame/thank the Pixies for good/bad luck. We have the Tar barrels every November which provides a focus for people, newer traditions referencing the old, like the pirate festival, celebrations around the landing of William of Orange etc. People talk about hairy hands grabbing the steering wheel of your car on a certain road, people know about Kitty Jays grave where fresh flowers appear on the grave of a suicide victim buried at cross roads even if your back is turned for a second or the Devil riding out across the moors with his hell hounds.

Many of these myths and legends have made it into some of the most popular stories, The hell hounds on Dartmoor made it into the hounds of the Baskerville (thanks to Doyle’s coach driver (a mr Baskerville) when he visited Dartmoor.obviously the Fantastic JK Rowling has introduced Dobies and Boggarts to children far beyond Scotland/East of England respectively. People across the world read these stories

So should we be talking about these things more, esp in schools to give common stories of Britain (or wherever you live) not so tied to the big religions or political ideologies, things that do however, fulfil the need for common stories and rituals based in the landscape of where people live? Should more be done to encourage everyone to take part in local traditions to bring communities together? Also interested to hear of any local legends/traditions etc.

Ooh I like that, turning who is good and bad on its head and using an old story for modern messages. And I guess using that story was much more powerful because it immediately made people stop and think, to reframe what was good and bad. Yet the powerfulness of that would never have worked if you didn’t know the original story. The updated version would not have carried the same message, or had the same impact.

You know, I've never really thought about this before, but you're absolutely right. I live in Kent which is the oldest county in the country, and I know very little of myths, legends etc. Apart from things like the ghost of Bluebell Hill, Pluckley hauntings etc. Places like Kits Coty fascinate me. And in Maidstone, they're always finding hidden underground areas going back to medieval times.

I've always thought it's a shame that there isn't much celebration around harvest time here. A couple of places have wassailing though.

We do have the world custard pie throwing championship nearby though if that counts!

I'd love to know more, but don't even know where to begin.

Now I like the sound of the custard pie throwing.

Someone upthread (sorry forgot who) mentioned the Three Ravens podcast - they seem to do some episodes based on counties - I’m sure they had a Kent one. The one I listed to on Devon was great.

@quantumbutterfly that's The Little Wolf and The Three Bad Pigs, I think (ex primary school teacher here). Don't they end up making a house of flowers? I quite like the more gruesome (but not too gruesome) stories. I outraged one headteacher by having my class act out Little Red Riding Hood where the wolf eats granny and Little Red Riding Hood and the woodsman cuts them out the wolf's stomach. I just thought it was the most well known (Ladybird Book) version.

Those are of Germanic origin, not British in that sense.

@ByHardyRubyEagle yes, from Brothers Grimm I believe. I wonder, did they spread over a most of Europe? A lot of European countries seem to have versions of these Fairy Tales. I know a lot originated from Folk Tales, that I believe we're even more gruesome.

Yes, I think most of Grimm’s tales were from much older folk takes, and definitely more gruesome!

Im with you here. I love curious people, people willing to explore with an open mind both externally and internally. I find these people often have a passionate outlook on life, because once you start looking you realise how amazing life is from every angle.

Unfortunately life seems to be increasingly set up to curtail curiosity

Krampus

trying to resurrect this thread...can people please share their folklore and old customs from around the world at Christmas time ?

Lots of Irish people put a candle in the window to signify hospitality to anyone who might need it or to help🕯lost spirits find their way..

Anyone?

I was recently recommend this book and it’s very interesting reading

Irish folklore, archaeology and much more including interactive site maps and VR experiences. Voices from the Dawn.

https://voicesfromthedawn.com/

Irish Folklore collection
https://www.ucd.ie/irishfolklore/en/

Fairy Trees
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.irishcentral.com/news/community/power-influence-ireland-fairy-tree.amp

Eddie Lenihan storyteller and collector of folktales.
eddielenihan.weebly.com/about-eddie.html

We have Mari Lwyd a disgruntled skeleton horse who likes to try and get into your house and drink your cwrw! I live near Ystradgynlais and they a society dedicated to keeping this and other traditions alive and they raise money for charity while during it:

https://www.wales.com/about/history-and-heritage/welsh-traditions-myths-and-legends/mari-lwyd

Brilliant posts so far !👏 anyone in Scandinavia?😊

Lots of interesting links, thank you. I had looked at that book @Feelingathomenow it's likely going to be added to my never-ending booklist!

The Legend Of Tomte

Have you heard of the magical legend of Tomte? Also named Nisse in Norway or Denmark and Tonttu in Finland. They are solitary and mischievous domestic spirits who protect farmsteads and their families and animals. Folklore says they originated from the soul of the first farmer and are ancestral figures who command respect. Their name and figures were imagined by farmers from years gone by, who were often isolated and it helped them live through the cold and dark winter months. A tomte is described as, a little bearded man, just three feet high, with a long beard and scruffy plain clothes. His feet are covered in traditional work boots and he sports a red cap! Tomte love to work but will not tolerate any interference.. They say a dirty house or stables, or treating animals unfairly, will surely upset your tomte and if anyone spills anything, legend says they are told to SHOUT out to warn the tomte not to fall into the puddle! A clean house or farm is a clear sign a tomte spirit resides there…. If you offend your tomte he may play some pranks on you! He might do little things such as turning buckets upside down or will tie the cow’s tails together…. So you know when something strange happens you may have offended your little tomte.

They ask that once a year on Christmas Eve, they have a bowl of their favourite food (julgröt) Christmas porridge, as thanks for their protection throughout the year. A tomte”s porridge is his due and it must be topped with a generous knob of butter! In the old days, butter was a luxury and only consumed on special occasions, the addition of a knob of butter in the Tomte’s porridge shows him your respect and thanks to him for protecting you and yours for the year.

Tomte are still so dear to Scandinavian hearts as they were in olden days. Every Christmas Eve, it is still tradition to leave a bowl of delicious, buttery julegröt out for your tomte, to show your gratitude, respect and thanks!

Nisse:

@

Some very ancient beliefs are that at midnight on Christmas Eve bees would hum the 100th psalm and cattle in the fields would turn to the east and bow.
🙏

@Feelingathomenow that was book of the week on Radio 4 last week, still on iPlayer and very interesting about St Lucy's day customs and her negative witchy persona which I hadn't heard of! I would have liked to have heard about those Icelandic spirits I vaguely recall, the cat and the ? Sausage gobbler? but they weren't mentioned in the serialised version, are they in the book itself?

Great thread OP! I agree with you wholeheartedly. I find it fascinating and for me it brings alive both local
history and a sense of place. Some of the traditions and events are also great fun and contribute to a sense of community.

I follow Ben Edge on social media. He is something of an expert on folklore, and its associated art, music and events.

I am an atheist. I do respect people's right to believe and worship according to their own religion. However I no more believe in a Christian God or the bible, that I do any of the other fascinating folklore stories. I wish they weren't dying out.