What is the tradition of wassail?

Table of Contents:

1. What is the tradition of wassail?
2. What does Mumming mean?
3. How do you make wassail and apple trees?
4. Where did wassailing come from?
5. What was Christmas caroling originally called?
6. Who invented caroling?
7. How did caroling begin?
8. Where did caroling originate and why?
9. Is Christmas caroling still a thing?
10. What is the difference between caroling and carolling?

What is the tradition of wassail?

The term “wassail” can trace its origins to pre-Christian Britain. Anglo-Saxon tradition included a New Year celebration in the halls of the Lord of the Manor, including a mighty feast with a giant bowl of a sort of punch: a mix of cider, ale and mead infused with bountiful spices and crab apples.

What does Mumming mean?

Mummering, or mumming, is a Christmas-time house-visiting tradition practised in Newfoundland and Labrador, Ireland and parts of the United Kingdom. ... If the mummers are welcomed into a house, they often do a variety of informal performances that may include dance, music, jokes, or recitations.

How do you make wassail and apple trees?

The ancient tradition of apple wassailing, in which trees are protected from evil spirits to ensure a plentiful crop, has seen a resurgence in recent years. The custom, which dates back to pagan times, involves people pouring cider over tree roots, singing songs, making loud noises and making a toast.

Where did wassailing come from?

Wassailing predates the Battle of Hastings and is thought to have its origins in Ancient Rome, where people would make sacrifices to the Pomona, the Roman Goddess of Fruits. The word Wassail originates from the Anglo-Saxon waes-hael, meaning “to your health” and the word is used just as we would use Cheers!

What was Christmas caroling originally called?

Carols were folk songs; originally they were folk dances (that's what 'carol' meant: 'a dance in a ring').

Who invented caroling?

And in 1880, it's believed the Christmas carol service was invented in Truro by an Edward White Benson, who later became the Archbishop of Canterbury. Many of today's most popular carols are dignified 19th-century offerings with tuneful melodies, rich harmonies and Christmassy sounds abundant. 'Hark!

How did caroling begin?

An early version of caroling dates back to the 13th century. It began in the oral tradition, but didn't always involve Christmas or even singing. In its earliest days, wassailing involved people going house to house giving out well wishes during the colder months.

Where did caroling originate and why?

Carols were first sung in Europe thousands of years ago, but these were not Christmas Carols. They were pagan songs, sung at the Winter Solstice celebrations as people danced round stone circles. The Winter Solstice is the shortest day of the year, usually taking place around 22nd December.

Is Christmas caroling still a thing?

Modern Christmas caroling may no longer involve dancing, but many of the same festive attributes are still present, making it a joyous occasion for both those singing, as well as those on the receiving end of a song.

What is the difference between caroling and carolling?

As nouns the difference between caroling and carolling is that caroling is a singing of carols while carolling is a singing of carols.