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Old Posted Dec 14, 2013, 7:31 PM
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Smile Any mummers 'lowed in?

Any mummers 'lowed in?

Mummering is perhaps the most cherished Christmas tradition in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Also known as janneying in some regions of the province, mummering involves dressing up in disguise and going door-to-door in your neighbourhood, having a cup of tea or some booze with the homeowners, and seeing if they might guess who you are.

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The Act To Make Further Provisions For The Prevention of Nuisances, which was passed in 1861 in response to the murder of Issac Mercer of Bay Roberts by mummers, outlawed the practice. The Act, however, was only enforced in urban areas.

Mummering continues unabated in rural areas - and although the practice of visiting strangers all but died out in St. John's, mummering between family and friends always went on.

Today, an official Mummers Festival is reviving the practice in urban areas, drawing thousands of people who parade through Downtown, Georgestown, and surrounding residential areas. Hundreds of people open up their homes and everyone has a wonderful, festive time.

Here are some scenes from today's events.



Toronto's crack-smoking mayor made an appearance.





Note the rest of the crowd two old town blocks down. There are thousands and thousands of participants - even when the park in front of the rooms is filled with mummers singing and dancing, there are still hundreds more making their way through the residential areas.

































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Old Posted Dec 15, 2013, 12:03 AM
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The people's outfits are almost as colourful as the buildings!
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Old Posted Dec 15, 2013, 12:49 AM
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Newfoundland is a most excellent place which follows the fact that Newfoundlanders are a most excellent folk.
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Old Posted Dec 17, 2013, 10:56 PM
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Thanks, guys!

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Originally Posted by montréaliste View Post
Newfoundland is a most excellent place which follows the fact that Newfoundlanders are a most excellent folk.
Aww, merci beaucoup. Je pense que le meme chose avec Quebec. ;-) Desole pour mon francais. lol
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Old Posted Dec 18, 2013, 1:34 AM
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Kind of charming and creepy at the same time.
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Old Posted Dec 18, 2013, 7:33 AM
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That looks like fun. And I love the idea of everyone getting together and being welcoming.
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Old Posted Dec 18, 2013, 1:54 PM
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I thought this was strictly a Philadelphia or PA thing. Nice to see it alive in the provinces too.
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Old Posted Dec 18, 2013, 1:58 PM
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We, too, thought it was only us. I was shocked when I learned a few years ago that it also exists in Philly - and, consequently, surprised it doesn't exist (to my knowledge) in Boston.

This is where this year's Mummers Festival ended, with a dance in the park beside The Rooms:

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But most of the crowd is always warming up inside:

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Old Posted Dec 22, 2013, 10:00 PM
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What the experience is like for mainland Canadians...

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Old Posted Dec 23, 2013, 3:45 AM
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Cool thread! Those colourful buildings are a great back drop. There is a town near where I live that does mummers plays around Chistmas, which involves dressing up and performing short comedies and is mixed in with traditions like morris dancing. I guess this could be a variant of that tradition, which goes back to the middle ages. Thanks for posting
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