Winter Traditions: The Mummers

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The Mummers While the origin of the mummers remains unclear, they were still a vital part of Irish tradition up to the present century.

The "Straw Boys" or "Mummers" dressed in disguise, often using straw to cover their faces, and went from door to door. They usually requested and received food or money or some token of gratitude for their "performance."

This tradition was particularly strong in the North of Ireland. County Armagh has long been associated with mummers.

The "Mummers March" can be heard on Áine's album "To Warm the Winter's Night."

Mummer's Plays are often associated with England and the cross pollination of themes often creates great confusion.  For example St. George and St. Patrick are often interchangeable characters.  

There is usually a doctor, a fool and a saint. Someone dies and is brought back to life by the 'doctor.'  This death and resurrection symbolizes the death of the older year and the rebirth of the sun for the new year.