1. Gaelic Studies Unit IV

2. This Unit You Will…  Gaelic Arts and Culture  demonstrate an understanding of ways in which oral tradition transmits culture and history  illustrate the scope and richness of Gaelic language tradition across Canada as evidenced through a  range of cultural expression  explore traditional Gaelic customs and beliefs and describe their impact on contemporary life  compare the variations in expression of culture among Gaelic communities across Canada  demonstrate an understanding of the arts as an integral part of the Gaelic culture

3. Thinking about Gaelic Arts & Culture Few cultures have had such vibrancy as the Gaels - How the Scots Invented the Modern World

4. Intro Activity  Ogam Sticks

5. Culture: Expressions of a People  Culture is constructed from the values and history of a people.  Groups will use culture to express their identity  The Gaels expressed their culture in a variety of ways

6. Gaelic Expressions of Culture  Music  Festivals  Literature  Cuisine  Sport  Art  Dress *Each expression will be examined through this unit

7. Importance of Cultural Expression  Expressing culture keeps it alive  Sociologist Max Weber showed us that expressing culture is important because it: 1) Transmits it to younger generations; 2) Cultivates pride; 3) Create stronger social bonds; and 4) Promotes citizenship

8. Cultural Expressions: Festivals - Hogmanay  Scottish New Year Celebration  January 1

9. A Foreigners Guide to Hogmanay  Explain the origins of Hogmanay by mentioning the contributions of the Vikings and ancient Gaels  What events go on during Hogmanay?  How is Hogmanay an expression of culture? Use the article and video to help.

10. Cultural Expressions: Dress  Clothing is a visible expression of culture What do these clothes lead us to believe?

11. Dress 1

12. Dress 2

13. Dress 3

14. Dress & Culture  Clothing can contribute to three levels of identity: 1) Personal – What I want others to think about me; 2) Cultural – Clothing as an expression of cultural values; and 3) Historical – Clothing as a means of sharing history

15. Scottish Dress: From Practical to Ornate  Early Scottish dress was functional: 1) Furs for warmth 2) Functional – easy to dry and light 3) Practical – hold weapons and tools Tartan (plaid) kilts are a fairly recent phenomenon

16. Centerpiece of Scottish Dress: The Great Kilt  Wool  Hides  Dyes  Practical – loose and comfortable + blanket during the cold  First kilts emerged in the late 1400s

17. Highland Dress: Men vs. Women  Men 1) Kilt – 5 yards of wool sewn with pleats – Sett vs. Stripe – worn high to A Frame 2) Ghillie Brogues – Ghillie for hunter – no tongues 3) Hose – Knee-high socks 4) Flashes – Sock adornments 5) Sporran – Front-worn pocket 6) Sgian-dubh – Knife worn on the dominant hand side 7) Kilt Pin 8) Bonnie Prince Charlie Jacket or Jacobite Shirt

18. Highland Dress: Men vs. Women  Women 1) Kilt – 5 yards of wool sewn with pleats – Sett vs. Stripe – Worn skirt style to ankles or similar to the male kilt 2) Tartan sash – worn from left shoulder to right hip 3) Flowering blouse *Or with hose, flashes and GB

19. Food & Culture  Every culture will have food that is calls its own – name some – what makes it different?  Most ‘cultural’ food is traced back to the history of the culture and the type of food available  Over time, cooking methods became associated with specific groups

20. Traditional Gaelic Foods  Most “traditional” Gaelic food is sourced from farm sources: 1) Eggs, Bacon, Sausage 2) Blood Pudding 3) Haggis 4) Turnips & Potatoes

21. Burns & Haggis  Robert Burns created a poem that praises the Haggis  It is often read at Burns Suppers Here

22. Sport & Culture  Sport (games) are another important component of culture: 1) Express the history of the group; 2) Allow for social bonds; 3) Provide breaks from the hardships of life; 4) Create friendly competition

23. Gaelic Sport  The Gaels spent most of their day outside so many of their traditional sports came from an ‘outdoor life’  Sticks, weights, balls – simple items

24. Examples of Scots/Gael Sports  Shinty (Hurling) – Similar to field hockey – 2000 years old.  Highland Dancing – 900 years old.  Caber Tossing – 1500 years old

25. The Original Extreme Sport  Scottish Heavy Events  Tests of strength dating back thousands of years  Highlanders enjoyed testing their strength and athleticism  Competitive sport was common among the clans

26. Heavy Events  Seven traditional feats of strength:  Throwing and Lifting events  All from farming – tools on the farm

27. History of the Heavy Events  All the events come from working the land  The implements were either farm tools, or items associated with the farm Hammer – A Hammer Weights – Used for measurements

28. First Highland Games  1040ce in Braemar, Scotland  King Malcolm Canmore held a competition to find a messenger  Two events: Hill Race & Stone Throw Royal Braemar Games

30. Scottish Highland Dancing Dance and Culture  Dancing has been a cultural expression for millennia  Dancing emerged as a means of storytellingstorytelling  Dances spoke of heroes or tragedies  Records of dancing in Scotland go back thousands of years

31. The Highland Dances  Do you know any?  How about this one?this Read the history of the dances and familiarize yourself with two stories.

32. Judging  Timing  Effortlessness  Technique  Leaping ability

33. Expressions of Culture: Music  Celtic music has many forms  Gaelic music of the Highlands – Cape Breton-style (route 19)  Music as a storyteller  Music creates social bonds - Cèilidh  The Scots/Gael style is particularly distinguishable