from Mary Jane Lamond's Suas e!Starting in the late 18th century and continuing until the mid 19th century there was a great migration of Gaelic speaking Scots from the Island and particularly the Highland areas of Scotland. Those who safely made the crossing, proceeded to establish numerous communities in Cape Breton and in eastern Nova Scotia. These Scots had many different reasons for making their journey. Most were physically forced from their land (during the Highland Clearances). Some left their homes to escape religious persecution, others left due to economic necessity, and lastly some came voluntarily, believing the old way of life in Scotland was changing. It is estimated that thousands of Gaelic speakers had settled in this area by the end of the 19th century.
Most of these pioneer communities stayed intact for decades and many continue to this day. Many scholars account for their survival in two ways:
1. Isolation - These rural communities were practically cut off from each other and the rest of the country because of the geographical factors of Cape Breton. Extensive travel on the island was not possible until the mid 20th century. This isolation prevented the influence of other cultures from mixing with the Gaels and helped to create a "time capsule" of pure Gaelic culture.
2. Conservatism - The need to retain "the old ways" is in fact a well documented practice in highland communities like those of Gaelic Cape Breton. The Gaelic culture (language, song, storytelling, music and dance) is highly oral in its tradition. The survival of this culture, therefore, can be mainly attributed to its oral transmission from person to person and from one generation to the next.
Nowhere did this transmission take place more successfully than at informal gatherings referred to as ceilidhs which the locals had for (their form of) entertainment. It is probable that the Gaels did not realize the significance of these parties as mediums of continuation and exchange of their language and culture. Below are listed some of the major influences which that language had on entertainment:
1. Storytelling - While storytelling is a significant example of Gaelic culture, it is not often seen or practiced in the modern ceilidh setting. However, it is an art form that once was and is now becoming more appreciated locally and internationally. "Na sgeulaichean" (the storytellers) possessed great memories - some stories lasted in excess of nine hours.
2. Song
The Gaelic language is considered very descriptive. The documentation of historical facts and traditions was often accomplished through the writing of poems by local bards. These poems would be created for lost loved ones, the country or people left behind, the finding and losing of love, and comical songs which meant that every aspect of Gaelic community life was celebrated by song. Hard work was usually accompanied by the singing of many of these songs or others that were created specifically for the task (ie- waulking songs and milling songs).
3. Music and Puirt-a-beul (mouth music)
Many fiddle tunes were given words or rhythmic sounds, something that is referred to as vocables. Very often, young fiddle players learned the old tunes from the singing of those who knew them. Thus we see how this exchange of tunes could have caused musicians to put "Gaelic into their music." By learning tunes from the Gaelic singers, the fiddlers mimicked the stresses and rhythms they heard. On the other hand, the Gaelic singers who learned tunes from fiddlers used long vowel sounds and other language based tools to sing what they heard the fiddle play. The "jigging" of tunes was entertainment for both parties or long nights at home. Someone could break into a good "string-of-tunes" and allow others to jump up and dance.
Gaelic Culture Today -
Today, the ceilidhs continue and some of the traditions are still being passed down to the next generation. Presently, there are debates as to whether the music has changed since Cape Breton has opened its doors to the rest of the world. Some question the outside influences which create changes and they maintain that the music cannot be supported without its base - namely the Gaelic language (fluency has dropped to an estimated 500-800 people). Still others say some change is healthy and helps to maintain what we have already. They see the success of artists from the island as a way to interest others and cause an international focus on the tradition that has made them who they are. It is important that Cape Bretoners question the lack of education and understanding about the Gaelic culture by some of the younger people and work on their education to ensure that what will be passed on to future generations will be the true Gaelic culture.
Click CD cover
for example of milling song
from Mary Jane Lamond's Suas e!
Click here for a Gaelic Lesson.
