What’s Your Preference?

Nathan deGargoyle · #1 (**permalink**) 10-31-2009, 07:37 PM

Being Manx, when I was a kid we didn't have Halloween we had Hop-Tu-Naa which, coincidentally, was on 31 October. Etymologically Hop-Tu-Naa like Hogmanay is supposed to derive from the gaelic for New Years Eve but really I think it comes from the Manx for demanding money with menaces.

Hop-Tu-Naa
Hop-Tu-Naa
Jinny the Witch is in your house
Give us a penny we'll chase her out
Hop-Tu-Naa
Hop-Tu-Naa

And of course our lanterns were turnips (or swedes as the outside world calls them) not that strange exotic fruit the pumpkin which we couldn't have bought even if we could have afforded it.

So Happy Celtic New Year for tomorrow!

blsweeney · #2 (**permalink**) 10-31-2009, 07:42 PM

thanks so much for the history lesson and the great pic.

Art · #3 (**permalink**) 10-31-2009, 08:05 PM

Nathan, interesting story, in Mexico we honor to the death, we usually create an altar for those people who passed away to remeber them.
Thanks Art

billmac57 · #4 (**permalink**) 10-31-2009, 10:49 PM

That brings back so many memories, many a cut I got from trying to carve out a turnip.
Bill

Nathan deGargoyle · #5 (**permalink**) 10-31-2009, 11:40 PM

Yhanks guys!

And Bil - I have a few cuts from tonights carving. We used to do it with a sharpened spoon. Took a couple of weeiks. I can't see the kids today taking the time or energy.