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 can you share some.

Absolutely agree it's not the fault of legends. I'm with you on liking to reclaim/push back.

I do think education is key - but I think that's why teaching local myths doesn't sit right with me. How many teachers would have the foggiest what they were doing? It's not like teaching, say, the Slave Trade, where to be honest, any reasonably competent person can easily access information and figure out what might be a good, sensitive, inclusive way to teach.

I do get annoyed about shallow ideological co-opting of faith discourses too, FWIW.

That looks fun.

some favouring stuff here. I was born and raised in new town with zero local history so I’ve always been interested in this sort of thing!
edited to add: as someone raised in the Catholic Church and who is very much an atheist, I do feel like there is a sense of belonging in religion which us non- believers miss out on. Maybe this is the way round it

I don’t believe such entities are benevolent.

I think a lot of folklore and tradition is sometimes followed without realising it and embeds itself in day to day life - I live in a port city and loads of superstitions and lore to do with fishing and sailing still exists. Little children are encouraged to smash the shell of a boiled egg, for example, and whistling is considered unlucky, as is wearing green - it's fascinating.

Why not?

Your new town has a history. Everywhere does.

The local history round here is being razed by developers sadly. Some of them restore historic buildings but often only if locals and heritage charities make enough fuss. This is what happens when we disconnect from where we live and stop caring about it and it shows.

I’m a bit suspicious of looking back and idealising folk stories. Isn’t that what the Nazis did? The tales of the people and folklore were a big part of fascism in the 30s. It easily turns into nationalism.

I’m sure it does but there was none of that talked about growing up as people didn’t live there before the 1950s (no local water source). I always loved visiting places with historic buildings and feeling like it was part of something much older

We get called racist if we dare to be proud of British history and culture.

I agree with you. It’s a rich and valuable culture that we’re at risk of losing. There’s so much that these traditions do for us: imaginative richness, community solidarity, meaning and purpose. But I think it’s not valued as it should be because the people leading education, media, politics and so on are elite city people who have lost all connection with any sense of local rootedness.

Sorry to derail, but your username is gold!!

There is a good chance the Romans, Celts or Norse were in your area before the 1950's. The UK is criss crossed by ancient pathways, have you looked to see any near you.

Sadly that's so very true, and yet other countries think nothing at all of showing huge pride in their country and heritage.

This last month we've had national flags hanging from every house and business, parades, community events, school shows.....it's not my country, my history or my beliefs but I absolutely love to see it and I love joining in and getting involved in the celebrations.

I’m a bit suspicious of people who want to erase history and undermine cultures. That’s been the MO of many more regimes. Look at the conquistadors and South America for instance, I think that position is far more dangerous.

I hadn’t realised local history wasn’t really being taught in schools anymore but of course it makes sense for this to be linked to the introduction of the national curriculum. I live in a place with a very interesting history and very little seems to be known about it these days. A site used by DC school is named after something significant in the towns recent-ish history and yet, none of the parents were aware and surprised when I explained. (I’m planning to wrap in a local history theme into a future event to raise awareness!)

I love to see this when visiting countries. Having pride in one’s past also encourages pride in one’s present and future. I have noticed increasing numbers of people flying St Petrocs cross here as people are proud of being Devonians.

Personally, I think once you understand a country’s past, take part in its traditions and rituals you too become part of that culture.

I rest my case.

Oh that’s a fantastic thing to do. All the best with it.

My husband is a Morris man and his side always observe dancing in the May at the crack of dawn on 1st May. They dance through the summer and in September there is the Hop Hoodening at Canterbury Cathedral. Onwards to Christmas there is the Mumming and dancing out again on Boxing Day. In January there is Wassailling the apple trees. They also dance with long swords.
When they dance in public , the last dance is Bonny green garters where onlookers are invited to take part. I’ve never seen anyone who didn’t enjoy it!

To some degree, I connect with people who do similar on Instagram for example but it’s not the same as a group of people physically doing things together.

I’m actually thinking of buying a small piece of land / woodland that can be used as a space for these sorts of things, open to the local community. Things like outdoor crafts and mindfulness practice as well.

Indeed, nationalism is only an evil superpower when it turns into jingoism. Do other nationalities flaggelate themselves for appreciating their heritage.

Yes it didn’t take long for this tired narrative to raise its wringing hands didn’t it.

Interestingly, people very rarely discuss the British occultists during WW2 and how they sought to attack Hitler. It’s quite an interesting (and growing area of study). Interestingly though Hitlers views on this changed v much after Hess )who was the prime driver in this area) defected/was captured.