The Folk-Lore of the Isle of Man

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

—

Title

The Folk-Lore of the Isle of Man

Language

en

Book source

Global Grey

Description max 80 words

A systematic survey of the Isle of Man's myths, legends, and seasonal customs, this volume explores the island's rich folklore from the sea-god Manannan to fairies and witchcraft. Written by A. W. Moore, it captures the vanishing world of Manx superstitions, rural rituals, and the desperate efforts to preserve a dying language and belief system before modernization erased them.

Summary up to 500 words

A. W. Moore's *The Folk-Lore of the Isle of Man* serves as a poignant anthropological record and elegy for a rapidly vanishing Celtic culture. Written in 1891, the work documents a society where the Manx language was already moribund and peasant superstitions were dying out due to emigration and contact with England. Moore laments the lack of native collectors, noting that by 1860, the island's unique beliefs were fading into obscurity. The text reconstructs the lives of the Manx peasantry, describing their sod-built cottages, simple diet of herrings and potatoes, and their deep-seated fear of the 'Evil Eye.' The book is structured into ten chapters covering myths, hagiological legends, fairies, hobgoblins, magic, and customs. Moore details the terrifying reality of Manx witchcraft, where farmers sacrificed cattle or burned them to appease witches causing disease or crop failure. He recounts specific rituals of 'Charmers,' such as the famous Teare of Ballawhane, who could command birds and protect crops. Vivid anecdotes include a witch's besom exploding with gun-like reports when burned and a hare-witch killing horses before being neutralized with dust. Moore also examines seasonal customs, including the burning of the wren and the perambulation of parishes, linking them to ancient pagan roots now Christianized. The narrative includes extensive notes on Manx vocabulary, explaining terms for clothing, house parts, and specific creatures. The work stands as both a historical account of a unique Celtic society and a melancholic tribute to a world where the 'Evil Eye' was still a power and the 'Charmer' a necessary practitioner, before the smoke of progress finally extinguished these ancient fires.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

Download URL

https://www.globalgreyebooks.com/ebooks/a-w-moore_folk-lore-of-the-isle-of-man.epub

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Categories

• Folklore
• Mythology
• Anthropology