Ah, haggis. The one true meat that never goes out of style. Haggis is very rare as they say since as stories put it, the haggis only come out once a year around the full moon closest to January 25.Last night I had the wonderful opportunity to experience my rich heritage of Scottish roots. January is the birth month for the famous Scottish poet, Rabbie Burns. This year marks his 250 year anniversary of his birthdate on 25.
I recently joined the Calendonian society as well as the Scottish country dance branch. So now I am wonderfully plugged into the world of Scottish events, tales, meetings, dancing, and much more. It is a lively group. The Scottish country dancing class hosted a Burns night, which happens annually for any true Scottish who celebrates such important dates as Rabbie's birthdate. I had a blast and it by far exceeded my expectations for a real celebration.
After we all assembled into the large room in a quaint hall with a fake fireplace and chandlers, the haggis procession commenced. A piper came into the hall playing a sweet melody while the haggis barer followed carrying the plate of haggis, who was about 9 inches in length and 3 inches in width. When the piper and haggis barer had proceeded through the hall and to the front where the other important delegates for the haggis procession stood. The piper and haggis barer received a shot of whiskey. Some prayers were said over the haggis. And then a group prayer led by the piper toasting to the haggis was done. After this, the haggis was stabbed with a knife! And thus, concluded the haggis procession and toasting.
After a delicious meal of lamb stew, yum, yum, more toasting was done. The food was superb. And I had a wee bit of haggis that was so good. People truly don't know what they are missing out if they give up the opportunity to eat a mixture of liver, bladder, heart, kidney and such from a sheep! It is quite good contrary to public opinion.
The toasting was done in this format. First we toasted to the President of United States. Then we toasted "God save our Queen." Then we toasted to the lassies. And then toasted to the laddies. Several small performances of dance, song, and recitation of Rabbie's poems were read/performed.
The last part of the evening program was a circle song. Where everyone stood in a large circle (there was 60 some people present) holding hands. The song Auld Lang Syne was sung. It was quite beautiful and moving as our voices raised together in unison and harmony.
The real fun then began! The Celidh!! The highland fling! We were dancing and skipping being merry on the floor. It was so much fun. The dances are cute. Sadly, there are more females than males. So the couple ratio is way off. Tis a sad thing because guys don't know what they are missing out on... with all of the fun. I was completely worn out by the time I left but still charged with energy and joy. The music is truly the sweet melodies of my soul and inner being.
The evening is what I call a real celebration in every respects. And yes, everyone was dressed in their finery. Most of the gentlemen were in kilts. The women wear a kind of Reniassance kind of clothing with tartan shashes. I wore a tartan skirt, which some others did too. It is nice to know some traditions are still being continued. Espeically unique and ones such as these honoring the great Haggis and Rabbie Burns.
No comments:
Post a Comment