An Drochaid Eadarainn Tha i seo 'na làraich-lìn a sholaraicheas dorust fosgailte do dhualchas beò na Gàidhlig mar a chìthear, a chluinnear 's a chleachdar a' là an-diugh ann an Gàidhealtachd na h-Albann Nuaidh.
'S ann leis na mìltean dhe na Gàidheil a tha còmhnaidh ann an coimhearsnachdan Gàidhlig air feadh Alba Nuaidh a bhios an dùthchas beò air a chumail suas agus air a thoirt seachad bho ghlùin gu glùn.
Ged a tha an dùthchas seo ri chluinnteil 's ri fhaicinn ann an ceàrnaidhean Gàidhealach na h-Albann Nuaidh chun a’ là an diugh, tha e suidhichte gu domhainn ann an eachdraidh na Roinn Eòrpa. Tràth 's an naoidheamh linn deug, thànaig a' sluagh anall à taobh siar na h-Albann (neo an t-Seann Dùthaich, mar a their iad) gus beatha ùr a dheanadh dhaibh p-fhéin. Bochd 's gu robh iad ris an t-saoghal, thug iad leo’ dìleab gun choimeas ann am beul-aithris, cho math ri sgilean is buadhannan eile.
Bha 's tha a' stòras beòil seo cho farsaing ri beatha laitheil gach duine, a’ gabhail astaigh òran do gach seòrsa; sgeulachdan fada, naidheachdan goirid is eachdraidhean ionadail; sheanfhaclan is ghnàthasan cainnte; ghiseagan is mhanaidhean 's buidseachd; ceòl na pìobadh 's na fìdhleadh; danns, agus móran eile.
(Bho thùs agus fhathast, 's e bhith beò 's an dùthchas as moth' a bheir tlachd is toileachas do Ghàidheil an taobh seo, 's tha buaidh na beul-aithris air an taobh shòisealta dheth aig teis meadhan am beatha, gu h-àraid anns na coimhearsnachdan. Anns gach sgìre, le bhith tighinn cruinn gu tric anns na taighean céilidh, bidh na ceangailichean daingeann 'gan cumail suas, agus beatha fhosgailte a’ sìor ùrachadh 's am bi gach neach a' gabhail pàirt, eadar sean is òg.
'S e saoghal neo-fhoirmeil a th' ann, a bhith a’ gabhail, a’ togail 's ag innse òran, sgeulachd is ceòl, 's tha an t-òran 's a' cuideachd mun cuairt riamh air a bhith 'nan dhuais fhéin. Tha na sgilean seo air an cumail suas ann am ficheadan do choimhearsnachdan ionadail, taing do bhàigh is càirdeas fosgarra nan taighean céilidh a bha cho bitheanta anuas chun a' là an diugh. Mar a thuirt an sgeulaiche fhéin mu àm òige, ‘Bha iad aonaichte nam feòil 's nan spiorad’.
Gun teagamh tha an aonachd sin ri fhaighinn taobh astaigh an dualchais fhéin. Chan eil saoghal na beul-aithris Ghàidhlig ri sgaradh 'na chaoban mar a dheante ann an oilthighean an t-saoghail mhóir; tha gach pàirt dhe dlùth-fhuaighte ris a’ chòrr. 'S an taigh chéilidh 's minic a chualas naidheachd an cois òrain a dheanadh soilleir dha 'n luchd éisdeachd cuid dhe na ceathramhan, 's gheobhte òrain a fhreagradh do cheòl mór air a’ phìob.
Bha feadhainn ann a fhuair cliù air thàilleabh an cuid sgilean - Raghnall Mór MacIllFhaolain agus Màiri Alasdair Raghnaill a thaobh fhìdhleireachd; Calum Thormaid Chaluim 's Lachlann Dhòmhnaill Nìll a thaobh òran; Eòs Nìll Bhig a thaobh sgeulachd – ach thathas ag amharc orra an còmhnaidh mar phàirt dhe 'n t-sluagh.
Tha cuid mhór dhe na h-àiteachan air an nòs àraid a chumail nan dualchas beò, dìreach mar a ghléidh iad an dualchainntean 's a' Ghàidhlig. Aig a’ cheart àm, thro na ginealaichean agus fairis air dà cheud bliadhna gheobhar blas ùr, sònraichte, nàdarra air na h-ealain seo, còmhla ri òrain is puirt ùra a rinneadh 's an dùthaich seo 's a bheil beòthalachd is loinn.)
Neach-aithris: Seumas Watson
Throughout Nova Scotia the living folklore of the Gaelic communities has been maintained by the thousands of Gaels living there, and passed on over generations.
This heritage, which may be seen and heard in the Gaelic areas of the province to this day, is deeply rooted in the cultural history of Western Europe. Early in the 19th century Gaels immigrated from the West Coast of Scotland (or the Old Country, as many here call it) in order to establish a new life for themselves. Poor as they were in worldly goods, they did bring with them a folklore legacy without parallel, along with many other skills and assets.
This verbal and musical heritage has been as wide as the daily life of the communities, and includes songs of all kinds; long tales, short anecdotes and legends; proverbs and expressions; supernatural belief, forerunners and witch lore; pipe and fiddle music; dance, and much more.
From the very beginning, living within their tradition has been what provides the most pleasure for Gaels in the region, and the effects of the folk tradition reach to the very center of their lives, particularly within the rural communities. In every region, as people gather in the ceilidh houses, important social bonds are maintained and an open and accessible community life is constantly renewed in which everyone, young and old, participates.
The singing, reciting, and learning of songs, tales and music is an informal process, and song together with the social occasion have always been considered to be sufficient reward in themselves. These skills are retained in scores of the rural settlements, thanks to the generous goodwill of the céilidh houses that has been so widespread down to our time. As one storyteller said concerning his youth, ‘They were united in spirit and united in the flesh’.
Certainly, that sense of unity can be found within the oral tradition itself. Gaelic folklore cannot be divided into units as would be the practice in mainstream universities; every part of it is intimately related to every other part. In the céilidh houses, you would often hear a story accompanying a song, making clear to the audience the story behind the verses, and there is a repertoire of songs corresponding to the big tunes on the bagpipe.
Some individuals acquired a vast reputation for their performance skills – Big Ranald MacLellan and Mary MacDonald for their fiddle playing; Malcolm Angus MacLeod, and Lauchie MacLellan for singing; Joe Neil MacNeil as a storyteller – but their talents have always been regarded as belonging to the people.
Many of the communities have conserved their unique performance styles, just as they have maintained their separate dialects of Gaelic. At the same time over the generations in the two centuries since the time of settlement, a new and distinctive quality has emerged in verbal and musical performances, together with lively songs and tunes composed in the province.
`S e prìomh stuthan na fuaraige uachdar agus min-choirce. Uairean, bidh rud beag do dh’uisge-beatha `ga chur ann rithe. Aig àm na Samhna, gus fiosachd a dhèanadh, chuireadh `s an fhuaraig a bharrachd putan, fàinne, meuran `s bonn-airgid. Dh’ innseadh na rudan seo do luchd a ghabhadh i na bhiodh ann mar shuidheachadh pearsanta dhaibh `s an tìm ri teachd.
Neach-aithris: Séidheag Nic’illeMhaoil
Fuarag is made with a mixture of cream, oatmeal and sometimes a little whiskey. At Halloween time, items such as a button, ring, penny or thimble would be added to the fuarag. As a yearly tradition, visitors would eat from the same fuarag bowl to predict their future circumstances.
Tha seo duan anns an t-seann... gu b’ dé dh’abradh sibh ris... Oidhche Chullain Challain Chruaidh. Thigeadh iad mun cuairt dhe `n taigh, ` s dh’fheumadh iad an dorust a ghlasadh gus an gabhadh cuideigin duan `s gheobhadh iad astaigh an uair sin. Theagamh gu faigheadh a h-uile gin dhiubh astaigh airson aon duine. Ach co dhiubh tha aon fhear a’ seo:
Oidhche Chullainn Challain Chruaidh
Thànaig mise le m’ dhuan `ga reic
Chan eil gaol agam air ìm,
`S chan eil gràidh agam air càis
Ach a'rud a tha am bonn a’bhuideil
Tha mo shlugan air a thì
Air aithris le Peadar Shandaidh Dhonnchaidh Mhóir
© Cruinneachadh Beul-Aithris Gàidhlig Cheap Breatainn, Sruth nan Gàidheal
A New Year's Eve poem.
Poème de la Saint-Sylvestre.
Na cleachdaidhean a bh’ann mu 'n t-Sàcramaid. Thigeadh daoine cruinn aon uair `s a' bhliadhna fad beagan lathaichean. Dh’fhuirgheadh iad 's na taighean mun cuairt, a’ frithealadh sheirbheisean `s an eaglais. Bhiodh suas ri lethcheud duine a’ gabhail biadh le chéile.
Neach-aithris: Seumas Watson
Customs relating to the Sacrament. People would gather over a few days once a year to attend a series of services in the church. They would stay in the houses nearby, with up to fifty being given dinner in a single house.
Sìne ni'n Mhurchaidh Dhòmhnaill Bhig: Air a bha Sàcramaid againn, bhiodh Sàcramaid againn aon uair am bliadhna. Agus air a bhiodh Sàcramaid ann, bhiodh ministear a' tighinn ás ait' eile agus bha daoine a' tighinn ás a h-uile àit' (a bhiodh) timcheall. Agus bhiodh 'ad a' fuireach aig an taigh, aig na taighean, aig na taighean faisg air an eaglais. Agus bhiodh 'ad ann oidhche DiArdaoin, DiHaoine, DiSathairne 's Là na Sàbainn. Uairean thigeadh 'ad dhachaigh Là na Sàbainn - oidhche; ach DiLuain, b' àbhaist dhaibh a bhith dol dhachaigh. Ach bhiodh móran daoine ann, 's bhiodh sinn a's an eaglais. An uairsin, 's dòcha gum biodh dà fichead 's deich againn airson dìnneir 's an uairsin bhiodh a h-uile duine cho trang 'faighinn biadh deiseil agus an uairsin na soithichean a' nighe. Agus an uairsin, a' dol air ais dha 'n eaglais a-rithist, 's latha fada, cruaidh. (gàire)
Séidheag ni'n Aonghais Iain Pheadair: Seadh, tha mi cinnteach.
Sìne: An uairsin, bhiodh sinn a' dol air ais dha 'n eaglais seo uair 's cairteal na uair, 's dòcha nach fhaide na sin. Thigeadh sinn dhachaigh 's suipeir a dhèanamh 's soithichean a-rithist.
Séidheag: Turas a-rithist! Agus a' robh Gàidhlig a's an eaglais an uairsin?
Sìne: Bha. Air DiHaoine, bhiodh ceist aca, bhiodh an ceist ann an Gàidhlig. Ach na bliadhnaichean fo dheireadh bha daoin' a' cur 'mach ceist a's a Bheurla. Agus bhiodh 'ad a' bruidhinn air. Bhiodh aon duin' a' cur amach ceist agus an uair sin bhiodh na daoine a' bruidhinn air sin.
Tar-sgrìobhadh: Steafan Dyke
Air a dheasachadh le: Sgioba a' Phroiseigt
Description of the gathering for Communion on the North Shore.
Description du rassemblement pour la Communion sur la Rive Nord.
Chaidh Sìne ni’n Mhurchaidh Dhòmhnaill Bhig a bhreith aig Cùl na h-Aibhne Bige, Cladach a Tuath. 'S i a' phiuthar a `s òige a th' aig Mòr NicDhòmhnaill bean-phòsda MhicAonghais. Cluinnear seanchas Mòir air a' làraich-lìn Cainnt mo Mhàthar. Bha am bràthair, D.J., `na fhear-tagraidh na Gàidhlig as leth r'a linn. Thàinig an cuideachd à Leòdhas. Bha Sìne air fhastadh `na banaltram fad bhliadhnaichean shios anns na Staitean Aonaichte agus fad treis ann an Ceap Breatainn cuideachd.
Neach-aithris: Seumas Watson
Jean MacKay was born in Rear Big River, North Shore. She is a younger sister of Sadie MacInnis, who can be heard on Cainnt Mo Mhàthar,and the late Gaelic advocate D.J. Her ancestors came from Lewis. Jean worked for many years as a nurse in Boston and Industrial Cape Breton.
Jean MacKay est née à Rear Big River, sur la Rive Nord du comté de Victoria. Elle est la cadette de Sadie MacInnis. Ses ancêtres étaient originaires de Lewis, ce qu’on reconnaît à son fort accent de Lewis. Jean a été pendant de nombreuses années infirmière à Boston et dans les régions industrielles du Cap-Breton.
Cunntais air cleasan is miastadh a bhiodh na gillean òga ris air Oidhche Shamhna. Dh’fhalbhadh iad bho thaigh gu taigh is aghaidh choimheach orra.
Neach-aithris: Stéiseag Nic'Illeathain
An account of the tricks and pranks performed by young boys in the neighborhood Hallowe’en night. They would go from house to house in costume.
Rugadh is thogadh Ailean Ruairidh Aonghais Dhòmhnaill Uilleim ann an taigh a bha làn Gàidhlig ann am Boston Ùr, coimhearsnachd teann air Louisbourg. Thàinig a dhaoine à Leodhas. Dh’obraich e fad a bheatha mar shaor. 'S e sàr sheinneadair a bha 'na athair agus bhiodh a mhàthair math gu seinn 's danns cuideachd. Tha Ailean fhéin na sheinneadair math agus faodar fhaicinn aig luaidhean agus cruinneachaidhean Gàidhlig mun cuairt an eilein.
Neach-aithris: Stéiseag Nic'Illeathain
Allan MacLeod was born and raised in New Boston, near Louisbourg, Cape Breton. His ancestors came from the Isle of Lewis. Allan worked as a carpenter all his life. His father was a distinguished Gaelic singer and his mother a fine step dancer and Gaelic singer. Allan himself is a well-known Gaelic singer and is often seen at milling frolics and Gaelic gatherings around the island.Allan MacLeod was born and raised in New Boston, near Louisbourg, Cape Breton. His ancestors came from the Isle of Lewis. Allan worked as a carpenter all his life. His father was a distinguished Gaelic singer and his mother a fine step dancer and Gaelic singer. Allan himself is a well-known Gaelic singer and is often seen at milling frolics and Gaelic gatherings around the island.
Allan MacLeod est né et a grandi à New Boston, près de Louisbourg, au Cap-Breton. Ses ancêtres étaient originaires de l’île de Lewis. Allan a été charpentier pendant toute sa vie. Son père était un chanteur gaélique distingué et sa mère une très bonne danseuse de variétés et chanteuse gaélique. Allan lui-même est un chanteur gaélique bien connu et on le rencontre souvent lors des activités liées au foulage et des rassemblements gaéliques dans l’île.
'S a' chòmhradh ghoirid seo, tha Lodaidh MacFhionghain ag innse mun a' chiad là dhe 'n Chéitean ris an canar Là Buidhe Bealltainn. Air a' là ud, rachadh uisge bho 'n abhainn a chrathadh air na beòthaichean.
Neach-aithris: Frangag NicEachainn
A short account from Lewis MacKinnon describing a May Day custom where water was taken from the river and sprinkled on the animals.
Chuala mi aig ban-choimhearsnach againne. Chan e bana-Ghàidheal a bh’ innte ach bha i posd’ aig Gaidheal, coimhearsnach againn fhìn. Agus bha i 'g ràdhainn air Là Buidhe Bealltainn bhiodh iad a faighinn uisge ás an abhainn. Agus bheireadh iad leo’ an t-uisge agus cuireadh iad an t-uisge sin air na beothaichean. Agus tha mi cinnteach gura h-e seòrsa do bheannachadh a bha iad a chur air na beothaichean air a’ là sin.
Tar-sgrìobhadh: Frangag NicEachainn
Air a dheasachadh le: Sgioba a' Phroiseigt 2012
Lewis MacKinnon explains the custom of blessing animals on May 1.
Rugadh Lodaidh mac Eòis Dhòmhnaill Fhiadhaich ann am Baile Inbhir Nis. Chaidh a thogail ann am Bun na h-Aibhne Deas. `S ann à Mùideart is às Eilean nam Muc a thàinig na daoine aige. Tha e `na cheannard aig Iomairtean na Gàidhlig. Chaidh urram Bàrd Mòd Rìoghail Nàiseanta na h-Albann a thoirt air ann an 2012.
Neach-aithris: Frangag NicEachainn
Lewis MacKinnon was born in Inverness and raised in Lower South River. His people came from Moideart and the Isle of Muck. After hearing Gaelic at home as a boy, Lewis decided to learn his language. He is a musician, Executive Director with Gaelic Affairs, Department of Community, Culture and Heritage and teaches Gaelic in the community. In addition, he was named Poet Laureate of the Royal National Mod in Scotland, the first time for a non-Scot to earn the title.
Anns a’ phìos seo, tha Migi Eòin Chaluim Sheumais Mhóir ag innse mu dheidhinn seann chleachadh a bhiodh ac' air Féill Muire na Buana, an 15mh là dhe `n Lunasdail. Tha a’ là ud air a chumail mar a’ là a dh’éirich colann `s anam Muire suas dha 'n Fhlaitheanas. Tha cuimhn’ aig Migi air daoin' a' dol sios do chladach na léigeadh a’ là ud gus uisg' a chur ann am botail. Bhathas `ga ùsaideachadh mar uisge-coisrigte nuair a dh'fàsadh cuideigin bochd. Bhathas a’ creidsinn gu robh leigheas ann.
Neach-aithris: Eamag Dhòmhnallach
In this clip, Mickey John H. tells about an annual custom held on the Assumption of Mary, or Marymass, which is observed on August 15. This feast day is recognized in the Christian faith as the day the Virgin Mary assumed into heaven. Mickey recalls going down to the shores of the Bras d’ Òr Lake as a child with members of his community and collecting salt water in a bottle. This water was believed to have curative properties and would be used like holy water when someone was ailing.
Dans ce clip, Mickey John H. parle d’une coutume annuelle se déroulant lors de l’Assomption, le 15 août. Cette fête est célébrée par les chrétiens comme le jour où la Vierge Marie est montée aux cieux. Mickey se rappelle que, quand il était enfant, il descendait à la rive du lac Bras d’Or avec des membres de sa communauté pour recueillir de l’eau salée dans une bouteille. On pensait que cette eau avait des vertus curatives et on s’en servait comme une eau bénite lorsque quelqu’un était malade.
Bha là eile ann an July – August, the Assumption of Mary. Bha iad ag ràdh gun na chuir i làmh a’s an uiste a’s ar léig. Bhiodh iad a’ dol gu beaches, bhiodh iad a’ toirt botul do dh’ uist’ ás a’ léig -- uiste saillte. Bha `ad ag ràdh gum biodh leigheas ann. Bha iad a’ creidsinn ann a’ sin.
Tar-sgrìobhadh: Frangag NicEachainn
Air a dheasachadh le: Sgioba a' Phroiseigt
Annual custom observed on August 15, the Assumption of Mary.
Coutume annuelle observée le 15 août, jour de l’Assomption.
`Na dhuine còir, Crìostail, rugadh Mìcheal Eòin Chaluim Sheumais Mhóir air baile beag `s a' sgìre Baile Sheumais, faisg air Sanndra, far an do sheatlaig a shinnsearan: luchd-àiteachaidh à Barraidh. Chaidh a thogail ann an taigh far a robh a’ Ghàidhlig `na h-àbhaist. B’ ann tric a thigeadh nàbaidhean air chèilidh gun gabhadh iad òrain `s naidheachdan an cuideachd a chéile. Bha Migi `na shaighdear `s an airm. Nuair a thill e dhachaidh, cheannaich e an Co-op ann a Sanndra far an do chuir e seachad deich bliadhna fichead air cùl a’ chùndair. Bha e `na bhall anns a’ chòmhlan "Seinneadairean Gàidhlig Shanndra" fad na bliadhnaichean móra. An diugh, bidh Migi a’ seinn ann an còisir Eaglais Chaluim Chille 's aig frolaigean luadhaidh air feadh an eilein.
Neach-aithris: Eamag Dhòmhnallach
Born on a small farm in Jamesville, near Iona, Mickey John H., a Barra descendant, grew up in a Gaelic household where friends and family would gather in the evenings to share stories and songs. Mickey spent several years away in the army, but returned home to Jamesville and eventually bought the Co-op store in Iona, which he ran for thirty years. Mickey has attended St. Columba Parish Church in Iona throughout his life, and continues to sing in the church choir today. He has also sung at many events around Cape Breton with The Iona Gaelic singers. Mickey is a friend to all and a devoted supporter of Gaelic language and custom in the Iona area.
Mickey John H. est né dans une petite ferme à Jamesville, près d’Iona. Ses ancêtres étaient originaires de Barra. Il a grandi dans un foyer gaélique où les membres de la famille et les amis se rassemblaient le soir pour raconter des histoires et chanter des chansons. Mickey a passé plusieurs années loin de chez lui, dans l’armée, mais il est revenu à Jamesville et a fini par acheter le magasin Co-op à Iona, qu’il a exploité pendant 30 ans. Mickey a fait partie de la paroisse de St. Columba à Iona pendant toute sa vie et chante toujours dans la chorale de l’église aujourd’hui. Il a également chanté lors de nombreux événements au Cap-Breton avec les chanteurs du groupe Iona Gaelic Singers. Mickey est l’ami de tous et un ardent défenseur de la langue et des coutumes gaéliques dans la région d’Iona.
An Drochaid Eadarainn Tha i seo 'na làraich-lìn a sholaraicheas dorust fosgailte do dhualchas beò na Gàidhlig mar a chìthear, a chluinnear 's a chleachdar a' là an-diugh ann an Gàidhealtachd na h-Albann Nuaidh.