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Young, Sheila, “The evolution of the contemporary blackening”, Folklore: The Journal of the Folklore Society 128:3 (September, 2017): 244–270.

  • journal article
Citation details
Contributors
Article
“The evolution of the contemporary blackening”
Periodical
Volume
128
Pages
244–270
BibTeX
Description
Abstract (cited)
‘The blackening’ is a pre-nuptial rite of passage for men and women that takes the form of capturing, dirtying, and cleansing the bride and groom. I show that it evolved from an older ritual called the feet-washing. Scottish in origin, widespread as a feet-washing ritual, both in urban and rural settings, the blackening is now a predominantly rural tradition. Although it can and does occur for men anywhere in the country, it is mainly confined to northern and, particularly, north-east Scotland for women, and it is women who are the main focus of this article. I describe the contemporary blackening, before tracing its evolution. I then consider the form and function of blackening’s predecessor, the feet-washing, before discussing how and why it evolved to become the ritual it is today.
Subjects and topics
Headings
Scotland folklore, mythology and popular culture
web page identifiers
Contributors
Dennis Groenewegen
Page created
November 2020
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