All Hallows Eve
Posted: Wednesday, 31 October 2007 |
I write this as the household excitement is building towards tonight鈥檚 festivities. Now that I live on this island I can enjoy Halloween again. I now must confess to being a foreigner, from across the pond. I grew up in a rural community where the children would be excited (me included!) about the parties at school and the chance to dress up and go to the neighbours homes for trick or treating鈥. And they looked forward to seeing us in those costumes with our party tricks ready in return for a treats.
That feeling changed when, having lived in Britain most of my life, on October 31st I had to hang my head in shame, as the broadcasters go to town about this horrid American import, of brash commercialism鈥. I know we are guilty of that a wee bit...maybe occasionaly?!?
Even when I had kids of my own and I was living in the Midlands of England and my American friend and I wanted to do something for them it was a nightmare. She had to send letters to the houses in her street, asking them to display the enclosed image of a pumpkin if the children could stop at their door鈥 in the afternoon, before it got dark, so those 5 year olds in pumpkin and witch costumes would not cause distress to the elderly and the vulnerable. Obviously this was not a great success as only 6 house out of a long street of over 60 allowed the children to stop by鈥 we only did this once鈥 surprisingly.
I know, stay with me here, the island point is about to be made.
Well now you might understand my amazement when I moved to this island, and my friend asked me if the kids were ok to go out with her kids on Halloween鈥 was I still in Britain???
Well the kids were so excited with their faces painted and their homemade witch and pirate costumes, their pumpkin sweetie bucket at the ready. When my friend arrived to collect them she just politely handed back the buckets and gave me a knowing smile, unfortunately I did not know what was coming!
What the kids were about to experience was the islands tradition of 鈥淕uising鈥. On all Hallows Eve this island (and presumably other parts of this Land) has its own tradition, and it is not an American import, that goes back as far as anyone can remember, where the children and young people completely disguise themselves from head to toe鈥 boiler suits help tremendously here! The homes they call on have to guess who they are as they stand there silently. They are rewarded after performing something for their hosts.
I do not know where this tradition comes from but I know my kids had a great night totally failing to disguise themselves with my well applied face paint! Having covered no more than 30 homes in our 2 and half mile stretch of township, on their 4 hour trek. They came home loaded down with a pillowcase to heavy to carry, for my shattered youngest, and their delight was priceless along with their tales of who said what, who was fooled and who kept them the longest.
They are better at it now and each year the homes the children don鈥檛 have time to get to are disappointed they have missed them and each year the kids feel special and cared for by their community.
At the moment these island children may not know how truly blessed they are. To be able to live where they are free to go door to door, where everyone wants to see them and share in the fun with them. I think when they have had their time in the big cities, as adults, they will look back on October 31st with a smile. And hopefully know they were the lucky few who had a safe place to grow up, free to be what a child should be. Without grown up worries, watching the northern lights (what!!! we did have a dry clear night 2 years ago!!!) as they drag their pillowcases on to the next home, feeling the love and support of the community that is theirs.
To all, I wish you much fun on this most Hallowed of Eves!
"For display purpose only. Not a serving suggestion. Not known to be a North Uist pumpkin. Any similarities to the author or other characters real or fictional is unintentional."
That feeling changed when, having lived in Britain most of my life, on October 31st I had to hang my head in shame, as the broadcasters go to town about this horrid American import, of brash commercialism鈥. I know we are guilty of that a wee bit...maybe occasionaly?!?
Even when I had kids of my own and I was living in the Midlands of England and my American friend and I wanted to do something for them it was a nightmare. She had to send letters to the houses in her street, asking them to display the enclosed image of a pumpkin if the children could stop at their door鈥 in the afternoon, before it got dark, so those 5 year olds in pumpkin and witch costumes would not cause distress to the elderly and the vulnerable. Obviously this was not a great success as only 6 house out of a long street of over 60 allowed the children to stop by鈥 we only did this once鈥 surprisingly.
I know, stay with me here, the island point is about to be made.
Well now you might understand my amazement when I moved to this island, and my friend asked me if the kids were ok to go out with her kids on Halloween鈥 was I still in Britain???
Well the kids were so excited with their faces painted and their homemade witch and pirate costumes, their pumpkin sweetie bucket at the ready. When my friend arrived to collect them she just politely handed back the buckets and gave me a knowing smile, unfortunately I did not know what was coming!
What the kids were about to experience was the islands tradition of 鈥淕uising鈥. On all Hallows Eve this island (and presumably other parts of this Land) has its own tradition, and it is not an American import, that goes back as far as anyone can remember, where the children and young people completely disguise themselves from head to toe鈥 boiler suits help tremendously here! The homes they call on have to guess who they are as they stand there silently. They are rewarded after performing something for their hosts.
I do not know where this tradition comes from but I know my kids had a great night totally failing to disguise themselves with my well applied face paint! Having covered no more than 30 homes in our 2 and half mile stretch of township, on their 4 hour trek. They came home loaded down with a pillowcase to heavy to carry, for my shattered youngest, and their delight was priceless along with their tales of who said what, who was fooled and who kept them the longest.
They are better at it now and each year the homes the children don鈥檛 have time to get to are disappointed they have missed them and each year the kids feel special and cared for by their community.
At the moment these island children may not know how truly blessed they are. To be able to live where they are free to go door to door, where everyone wants to see them and share in the fun with them. I think when they have had their time in the big cities, as adults, they will look back on October 31st with a smile. And hopefully know they were the lucky few who had a safe place to grow up, free to be what a child should be. Without grown up worries, watching the northern lights (what!!! we did have a dry clear night 2 years ago!!!) as they drag their pillowcases on to the next home, feeling the love and support of the community that is theirs.
To all, I wish you much fun on this most Hallowed of Eves!
"For display purpose only. Not a serving suggestion. Not known to be a North Uist pumpkin. Any similarities to the author or other characters real or fictional is unintentional."
Comments
Happy Hallowe'en to you too! I also love Hallowe'en...luckily where I live at the moment we can still go "Trick or Treating"....but I am certainly looking forward to the island tradition of guising it sounds even better!!!!
Happily Ever After from Moving to Lewis
Enjoyed reading your blog about your version of Halloween.
Janet from Dublin
Excellent! I have to admit though that it does not do Margaret Thatcher justice, not quite.
mjc from NM,USA
When I was a lad, we used to go out guising, far and near in a city too. You had to stay to your own area, but with all the tenements in our area, and tower blocks, we made what seemed like fortunes. We used to spend it in the local chippy, along with the rest of oor gang. It was good fun.
Tws from Lewis
That's how he became such a fine unaccountably naked sort of a guy...
Flying Cat from patting a plump rump
Hi, I used tom go guising as a kid in our village and we used to cut turnips as we had no pumkins. we had to sing or do a poem or tell a joke to get something, sometimes 3pence or 6 pence if you were good. Now it's died out as everyone is scared and politically correct. I know there were dangers back 60 years ago but we seemed in a more trusting world. I can't think of anyone being harmed.
Harry Canuck from Ontartio
Finding Solas
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