The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1896-01-17
GALLOWAY CUSTOMS. 8
Strange Ceremonies Observed In Scotland
" H. on New Years Eve. ~

strange Ceremonies Observed In Scotland
V Il. on New Years Eve. 7
The world at large is becoming we'll
acquainted with wild Galloway, in
Western Scotland, through the writings
Of Crockett, whose "Stiekit Minister
The Raiders" and '.Ihe Lilac Sun
bonnet" IRE all laid in that region.
sketches which are printed today, de,
plotting some of the curious New Years
customs of this picturesque district.
Some of these customs are Of so ancient
an origin that even the Oldest inhabi
tant knows nothing of their origin. Dur
ing Christmas week band of boys go
the various kitchens. These boys are
locally known us White Boys,,sa name
of Irish origin. In the border counties
they are called Guizards or Galatians,
the last name being the name of the
play which they act. from the structure
of its verse it is believed to date back
The boys are dressed with large hats dec
Grated with colored paper, supposed to be
4 ludicrous copy of the bishops mitre.
Long white shirts and wooden swords
complete their costume. Alexander of
Macedon sometimes appears, ornamented
with curtain rings in nose and ears,
which is supposed to surround him with
u
devil appears at the close with broom
and sooty face, and sweeps bad luck
in or out, with guileless impartiality,
according to the doucer which he re,
ceives.
In another sketch the old ceremony of
drinking CREAM" or the flower, OF
the water is pictured. At II o'clock on
New Years eve Tor Hogmanay as the
people of Galloway call itl. Just When the
old year lies dying. with the baby new
year on her bosom, a curious virtue
comes into the wells and ponds. Per
haps plying angel stoops down and
troubles it. for in the mysterious crucible
far below some occult elixir is liberated
which floats on the top: and so the wa
faith in it's merits as an unfailing philter.
\ third illustration shows the First
Footing" 1t is customary to- wish
friends II happy new year on the earliest
opportunity: so. between II ami l.
domiciliary visitation takes place. and
as it is unlucky to go empty-handed,
basket is carried containing piece of
cake or shortbrcad. something to drink
and some "SWectieS for the weanS.
But the grand sight of all, and the eli
max. is the procession of young men
which l,arades the village on New Years
eve. BY an unwritten law they must be
young men-namely, those who have not
ranged" themselves; and every one vies
with the other as to which shall present
the most bizarre appearance. Red In
dams. giants. dwarfs. demons assorted.
and of all Sizes and tishwives pass in
procession. carrying at intervals flaming
tar-barrels, and finally gathering i'll
wild dance around a flaming bonfire. for
which all the neighboring woods have
been laid under contribution. Look on
this wild Walpurgis night. and you will
in the veins of the Galloway folk.
They say that the bonfire is relic of
Druidical times. and that from those far
off days until now the ever-youthful cir
Gle has leaped and shouted around the
Fire-God. forgetful of those who have
dropped out of the laughing ring and
who, have tainted beneath the heavy
burden of years