Visiting traditions brought over from some of the first settlers to Newfoundland and Labrador remain a popular part of the Christmas holiday season.

There are a variety of mummering or jannying traditions throughout the province that have endured over the centuries.

Andrea O’Brien of Heritage NL says nowadays most people who choose to go out mummering over the 12 days of Christmas often do so on a whim, but for some communities—like the ribbon fools of Pouch Cove and Flatrock—it takes weeks of preparation.

She says ribbon fool troupes used to go around outdoors and the costumes were often quite elaborate using a variety of colourful ribbons and homemade head dresses. To her knowledge, they don’t anymore.