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| Celtic Radio Community > Scotland > The Burryman |
| Posted by: Eventide 25-Aug-2005, 04:37 PM |
| I came across this bit of heritage and would like to know more: The Burryman is an ancient tradition, dating back to at least 1687, and is said to bring luck to the yearly fair. During the day, a local man is dressed in a full-body costume made of flannel, before completely covering himself in burrs ? (the hooked fruits of Arctium Lappa and Arctium Minus, to be precise). The Burryman must collect all these burrs himself, as well as flowers and ferns to decorate his costume. Once covered in his Arctium suit, the Burryman finishes off the ensemble with a flower-covered bowler-hat, a flag cummerbund and two staves of flowers. Where this tradition came from is a bit of a mystery. Some people associate it with a fishing ritual, to celebrate the fruits of the sea and propitiate the gods for further bounty. There has been a suggestion that the Burryman is a representative of the Green Man who pops up in many English folklore traditions and represents vegetation and fertility. Yet others maintain that it commemorates the landing of Queen Margaret, from whom the town took its name, and whose husband hid from the English in a gorse bush. I smell a good story...does anyone have any first hand accounts to tell or maybe a link or two to pass along? |
| Posted by: stoirmeil 25-Aug-2005, 05:59 PM |
| Oh, this is terrific! I found this link with some old photos, and the guy really is COVERED with the things. The one of the two men helping him get a drink is funny. http://diecastgarden.org/groundfounds/row/row.html It makes me think of something fun: a stream of consciousness monologue from the PoV of the guy inside the burrs. Especially as he keeps getting drink after drink all day and nothing to eat,  and the children following him around terrified but unable to leave him alone. I'd love to interview someone who's done it. |
| Posted by: rpeirson 03-Aug-2007, 06:45 AM |
| I had never heard of this, what great fun Thanks for the story |