Many Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are familiar with the ancient Christmas tradition of mummering but there’s another similar local tradition that’s starting to see a comeback in the Pouch Cove area.
Folklorist and Executive Director of Heritage NL, Dale Jarvis says the Ribbon Fools are an old tradition carried out on the northeast Avalon that differs somewhat from Mummers who dress in old clothes and cover their faces.
(File photo)
He says the fools, who were usually men, would wear a white shirt that had colourful ribbons pinned to it.
The Ribbon Fools, some of whom wear elaborate homemade head coverings, also carried a “swab” or a big stick, usually with something tied to the end. While Mummers usually make their rounds between Boxing Day and the New Year, the fools make their appearance on January 6—Old Christmas Day.
In Upper Island Cove for instance, they celebrated “Teak Night” where when the women were removing the Christmas decorations, the men would gather up the old tinsel and garland and head out to celebrate the end of the holiday season.
Tonight, the Mummers Festival is excited to return to the home of the Ribbon Fools and partner with the Town of Pouch Cove to present a one-of-a-kind workshop!
Registration is required; please call the Town of Pouch Cove @ (709) 335-2848 to register. https://t.co/gH7fstp5vx pic.twitter.com/kepOFpVos0— Heritage NL (@hfnlca) November 30, 2022
