There’s a wonderful strange Christmas tradition in Canada’s Atlantic province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Known as mummering (or jannying), it’s an ancient tradition.
People dress up in a wild variety of old clothes and homemade disguises, to visit neighbours.
Kept alive in Newfoundland, mummering had a bit of dark and even violent past, resulting in a 100 year ban until the early 1960’s.
Because of that the tradition faded out, but was revived in the past couple of decades with a much lighter and more fun aspect.
On any evening during the 12 days of Christmas, a knock my come on your door and strange voice might call out, “any mummers allowed in”..before they come through into the kitchen.
After some dancing and music and perhaps a drink and a bit of cake or similar, and guessing who’s behind the masks or veils they’re off to the next house.
Dale Jarvis is a folklorist, the Intangible Cultural Heritage Development Officer for the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, and author of “Any Mummers ‘Lowed In? Christmas Mummering Traditions in Newfoundland and Labrador”.
As the Heritage officer, he holds the only full-time provincially-funded folklorist position in Canada and helps communities preserve the unique cultural heritage of the province, such as that of mummering.
ListenMummers song by Simani
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