Nollaig Na mBan…
That’s the enchanting
Irish name given to Women’s Little Christmas on the 6th of January–
the feast of the Epiphany.
It’s the
traditional end of the Christmas season, the day we take down the Christmas
tree and pack the baubles and tinsel into the attic for another year. But most importantly,
it’s the day when the women of Ireland get to have time off from household chores
after all the festive cooking.
A special day to
get together with friends, sisters, mothers and aunts…The men, cheerfully take
over the household for the day so the women can gather together to party and
have a glass of fizz.
I was surprised to
discover that many other countries have a similar tradition although the date
sometimes varies.
The Nordic countries have many customs, as have Ukraine, Slovenia, Galicia and closer to home there are high jinks and ceilis in the Scottish highlands it’s called, Là Féill nan Rìgh, The Feast of the Kings in Gaelic. La Fête des Rois is also celebrated in France with the delicious Galette des Rois as the centre piece of the table. Every boulangére offers their version of the flaky pastry galette, with a little trinket known as a ‘fève’ hidden deep inside the marzipan filling. Each comes with a golden paper crown which the lucky person who finds the fève in their slice will wear when they are crowned king for the day.
The Nordic countries have many customs, as have Ukraine, Slovenia, Galicia and closer to home there are high jinks and ceilis in the Scottish highlands it’s called, Là Féill nan Rìgh, The Feast of the Kings in Gaelic. La Fête des Rois is also celebrated in France with the delicious Galette des Rois as the centre piece of the table. Every boulangére offers their version of the flaky pastry galette, with a little trinket known as a ‘fève’ hidden deep inside the marzipan filling. Each comes with a golden paper crown which the lucky person who finds the fève in their slice will wear when they are crowned king for the day.
Here in Ireland
the custom had almost disappeared, apart from in the counties of Cork and Kerry
but there has been an enthusiastic revival of Women’s Little Christmas in
recent years. Many restaurants and hotels are offering jolly Nollaig na bMan
celebrations with exciting entertainment, dancing and music as well as afternoon
tea or dinner so the womenfolk can enjoy a night out.
Just found this
funny poem on social media penned by Nuala Woulfe @NWoulfeWriter – a few lines
to whet your appetite.
Mammys
on the Dance Floor
Mammys
on the dance floor, let out for the night,
Dancing
round their handbags, whooping with delight,
Mammys
on the dance floor, kicking up the dust
Checking
out the six packs, overcome with lust!
Mammys
on the dance floor, one more round of beer,
Eyeing
up the bouncers, giving them the leer…
