Mumming and Masquerade

October 8, 2012 — 4 Comments

The traditions that exist around costumed rituals abound. Mumming may be from the Irish, may be from the Celtic, but now is interpreted by many modern Brits to honor an ancient tradition.  The costumes are significant both in the way they change and in the similarities to ancient customs.  Straw boys represent good luck, and are sent to visit newly married couples. There are specific plays and characters for Christmas and Halloween in modern mumming that are uninterrupted traditions from ancient history.

Today people have avatars, play games as super heroes, and give themselves any title they please in their on line lives.  I think it is interesting that there are so many groups passionate to preserve the costuming and cultures from history, from Civil War reenactments to the merry mummers of the British Isles, to Helldorado Days in Tombstone, AZ.  The tradition of mime is related to the mummers.  The costume tells much of the story, just as it does in many Naive American dances. Will you dress up for the end of October?  Will you do anything special to honor the dead?  It is the perfect time.