Christmas in 19 th century Newfoundland and Labrador Christmas in Salvage

In today’s lesson we will learn about Christmas traditions in Newfoundland and Labrador. In today’s lesson we will learn about Christmas traditions in Newfoundland and Labrador. In some ways it is different from today’s celebrations but it some ways it is the same. In some ways it is different from today’s celebrations but it some ways it is the same. How do you celebrate Christmas? How do you celebrate Christmas?

A 19 th Century Christmas Religion was a very big part of Christmas in Newfoundland and Labrador Religion was a very big part of Christmas in Newfoundland and Labrador Whole families would attend midnight mass together in churches throughout the cities and outports. Whole families would attend midnight mass together in churches throughout the cities and outports.

Exchanging Gifts Food was often given as gifts. Food was often given as gifts. During the 12 days of Christmas, cakes and sweet breads were baked and exchanged with neighbours. During the 12 days of Christmas, cakes and sweet breads were baked and exchanged with neighbours. Fish and meats were also given. Fish and meats were also given.

A Visit from Santa

On Christmas Eve, the family would get the tree, put it up, and then decorate it with homemade ornaments and candles. On Christmas Eve, the family would get the tree, put it up, and then decorate it with homemade ornaments and candles. Children in Newfoundland and Labrador would then hang their stockings up before they went to bed. Children in Newfoundland and Labrador would then hang their stockings up before they went to bed. In the morning children would find gifts from St. Nicholas in their stockings such as a few hard candy, a piece of fresh fruit and sometimes a small toy. In the morning children would find gifts from St. Nicholas in their stockings such as a few hard candy, a piece of fresh fruit and sometimes a small toy.

A Candle Lit Tree

The Yule Log

The burning of the Yule Log was another tradition in Newfoundland and Labrador. The burning of the Yule Log was another tradition in Newfoundland and Labrador. The Yule Log was also known as a “back junk”. The Yule Log was also known as a “back junk”. It would be placed at the back of the fireplace hearth at sunset Christmas Eve. It would be placed at the back of the fireplace hearth at sunset Christmas Eve.

At midnight an ember was thrown from the burning log over the house. At midnight an ember was thrown from the burning log over the house. They felt this would protect the house from fire and evil throughout the coming year. They felt this would protect the house from fire and evil throughout the coming year. Now people eat desserts in the shape of Yule logs. Now people eat desserts in the shape of Yule logs.

An Inuit Tradition In Labrador, the Inuit have a version of mummering. In Labrador, the Inuit have a version of mummering. It is a blend of Moravian and Inuit traditions. It is a blend of Moravian and Inuit traditions. Disguised in seal and caribou skins, the masked Nalujuk or Nalujuit would visit the children in the village. Disguised in seal and caribou skins, the masked Nalujuk or Nalujuit would visit the children in the village. They would scare the children into being good. They would scare the children into being good.

In some communities they have still have Nalujuit Day which is celebrated on Old Christmas Day Christmas in Makkovik

The Mummers and Fools

Mummering was brought to Newfoundland by English and Irish immigrants. Mummering was brought to Newfoundland by English and Irish immigrants. Groups of people would disguise themselves, parade through the streets and visit homes. Groups of people would disguise themselves, parade through the streets and visit homes. Men would dress as women and women as men and the faces would always be disguised. Men would dress as women and women as men and the faces would always be disguised. In St. John’s the mummers would carry pig bladders filled with stones and hit people with it!! Ouch!!! In St. John’s the mummers would carry pig bladders filled with stones and hit people with it!! Ouch!!! What were mummers called in St. John’s??? What were mummers called in St. John’s???

Mummers in the 50s

When mummers would go to a house they would perform a traditional Christmas play, sing, dance, or play music. When mummers would go to a house they would perform a traditional Christmas play, sing, dance, or play music. There was always a piece of cake or a drink for the mummers. There was always a piece of cake or a drink for the mummers. Often there would be a guessing game of who the mummers were. Often there would be a guessing game of who the mummers were. In Bay Roberts in 1860, a man, Isaac Mercer, was murdered by a group of mummers and mummering was banned in Newfoundland. In Bay Roberts in 1860, a man, Isaac Mercer, was murdered by a group of mummers and mummering was banned in Newfoundland.

Mummers dressed to do the traditional play.

Mummering survived in the outports as there were few police (rangers) to stop it. Mummering survived in the outports as there were few police (rangers) to stop it. Eventually it began to die out in many outports as people’s lifestyles changed. Eventually it began to die out in many outports as people’s lifestyles changed. However in 1982, the band Simani released the Mummer’s Song and the mummering tradition was revived. However in 1982, the band Simani released the Mummer’s Song and the mummering tradition was revived. Have a look at the lyrics while we listen to the song. Have a look at the lyrics while we listen to the song.

The mummers would often have a “hobby horse” with them. The mummers would often have a “hobby horse” with them. This hobby horse was supposed to help couples with fertility. This hobby horse was supposed to help couples with fertility.

Wren Boys

Mummers in Other Places!! Mummering is not just in Newfoundland. Mummering is not just in Newfoundland. In Ireland they have mummers and use a lot straw for their costumes. In Ireland they have mummers and use a lot straw for their costumes. They do their mummering on Dec. 26 th or St. Stephen's Day. They do their mummering on Dec. 26 th or St. Stephen's Day. They are called “The Wren Boys” They are called “The Wren Boys”

The Philadephia Mummers In Philadelphia, they have a Mummer’s Parade on New Year’s day. In Philadelphia, they have a Mummer’s Parade on New Year’s day. The costumes are very elaborate. The costumes are very elaborate. They even have a huge competition where different mummers troupes compete for the top prize. They even have a huge competition where different mummers troupes compete for the top prize.

The mummer’s displays get so big, some of the troupes have to perform inside for judges.

An Outport Christmas The following is a description of what Christmas was like in a small place called Norris Point on the West Coast of Newfoundland. The following is a description of what Christmas was like in a small place called Norris Point on the West Coast of Newfoundland.

What have you learned??? What have you learned??? Homework: prepare a costume for Mummering on Wednesday. Homework: prepare a costume for Mummering on Wednesday. Homework: As well ask parents, grandparents or guardians about any Christmas traditions they may have had. Record these in your exercises. Homework: As well ask parents, grandparents or guardians about any Christmas traditions they may have had. Record these in your exercises.