Friday 8 January 2016

Nolliag na Mban

Happy New Year friends, I missed you all :-)

I had a great day yesterday. Here in Ireland, on the 6th Jan, we celebrate Nolliag na Mban. That translates as Women's Christmas, also known as Women's Little Christmas. Apparently, traditionally the men took over the job of looking after the children and household chores whilst the women gathered together to celebrate the end of the busy Christmas season. It was meant to thank the women for their hard work, but of course it made more work as most women prepared food to leave and everything else done beforehand so that the men would be able to manage by themselves. The celebration began to die, but is currently having a revival as it is used to celebrate the contribution women make in all spheres of life these days.
Here in my village there is an old windmill complex which is used a lot by the local community and it has a cafe. On Nolliag na Mban they hold a women's afternoon when we all gather there and share stories, sing carols together and listen to music played by some of the women. It is great craic and I love being able to join in.
Today I am thankful to The Diva for the contribution she makes to our Zentangle community by holding these challenges. Whilst I love drawing Auraknot I do struggle with getting a nice star shape and so instead I draw what I called a WonkyKnot. I am quite pleased with my duotangle of WonkyKnot and Diva Dance, as it turns out it sort of looks like a Daffodil flower and makes me think that Spring may be almost round the corner (well in my part of the world at least ;-)


20 comments:

  1. Great post, great tradition! And a lovely, lovely wonkyknot! Welcome back. Axxx

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  2. Fascinating. I'm hoping your daffodil is a harbinger of spring.

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  3. Great Tile and I loved hearing about your gathering!

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  4. Such an interesting post. I loved learning about your traditions and your village! Daffodils are one of my favorite flowers, and your "wonky" knot put a smile on my face! Thank you for sharing! Best wishes of peace and health in the new year.

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  5. That 'wonky' knot is absolutely lovely...it flows so beautifully! You may have started something here ;)

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  6. Loved the post! Happy Belated Women's Christmas - great idea. I hope the men are now able to cook for themselves and the children. Your wonky knot is wonderful - such an excellent interpretation of Auraknot.

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  7. Great story and a lovely tradition, even if it means a little extra work. Great flower, nicely done! Have a brilliant new year! Cheryl

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  8. Love your wonky knot! I'm curious...Nolliag na Mban sounds a lot like Mothers Day here in the States, or do you have that as well? Because, hey 2 days for Mom! Cool.

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    1. We do have Mothering Sunday which has become corrupted to Mothers Day. It is at a different time of year to the American Mothers Day. It was a day off in Lent when you went home to your family and the whole family went to visit the Mother Church. It is a very different event to Nollaig na Mban as people no longer gather together on Mothers Day. Children give their mothers a card and maybe a present and that is it.

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  9. Your tangles are always so graceful and flowing... Lovely. What a wonderful tradition you have, too. Ireland has always been at the top of my list for places I want to visit - thanks for sharing your story.

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  10. Beautiful! I love your floral auraknot with Diva Dance as the center.

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  11. Love your post and your beautiful tile!

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  12. Thanks for telling about that tradition, I had never heard of it. I do like your tile, a lot!

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  13. Your tile does look like a daffodil. I wonder if you could use that shape as a string and see where it takes you?

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  14. Wonderful post and a beautiful tile with elegant Auraknot!

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  15. Lovely to read your post - this looks like a wonderful tradition and a great setting! I love your duo tangle - simple and sunny!

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  16. I think your wonkyknot is amazingly unwonky! Wish mine were so symmetrical! I had to laugh at the extra work women do before they can enjoy any time off. I always have to clean my house top to bottom before I can go enjoy any trip. Silly I guess.

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  17. I love your Auraknot tile - it is so beautiful! And it looks very elegant :-)

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