From Hugh Murray’s ‘An Encyclopedia of Geography’ (1855)
“In funerals, marriages, and similar solemnities, the Irish maintain several old customs. The practice of hired howling women at funerals, called ululates, is very prevalent; a considerable sum is paid to those employed, although, in cases of necessity, they howl gratis.”
Oh yes I could. Gratis indeed!
I wonder when this old custom died out. Great fun for Irish women and probably good therapy too, to scream out one’s grief, but I feel for the poor men surrounded by howling females…
The painting above, ‘The Aran Fisherman’s Drowned Child’, showing an ululate with a waist flexible enough to double as a belly-dancer (howl and tone at the same time - too good to be true surely?) is by the artist Frederick William Burton, from the National Gallery of Ireland.
The Irish expression for this sort of thing is keening, which is very similar to the Hebrew cine – a verb used to refer to lamenting, rending of garments and so forth. But the cry itself is known as an ullaloo. Read more about it and the women who made a career of it here.
The Koreans (North and South) have this down to a fine art.
Here is video of keening Koreans at the funeral of Kim Jong-Il… for as much as you can take it.
Perhaps you enrol on a training course there.
Mahon, I would love to be anywhere but Dublin at this point in time. Korea sounds perfect.
The Cholera epidemics of the 1830s and especially the outbreak of the Famine made a huge impact on the ancient funeral traditions. Requests by both the civil and eclesiastical authorities to restrict the older customs such as three day wakes, huge gatherings and the professional wailers meant that in most places the customs were ended on the request of preventing further spread of disease and illness.
Very interesting, Brian. Thank you so much. There must have been a lot of traditions (not just those relating to public gatherings) lost by the Famine.
I have some notes (somewhere) on what social customs were effected by Botha must pull them out. The cholera epidemics and the famine from a module I did on the period, amazing time that in many ways has been overshadowed (very understandably) with the mass deaths and emigration so much more was lost and changed. Fantastic blog always enjoy dipping in.
Thanks very much Brian. Positive feedback and new information in the comments are what make it all worthwhile. Feel guilty about not updating, but very tired with work this week!