Today marks the Feast of the Epiphany, or simply put the 12th and final day of Christmas. In a city where many claim Irish ancestry, the Liverpool Irish Centre is keeping Christmas tradition’s alive with the celebration of Nollaig na mBan, or Women’s Christmas.
The tradition is rooted in belief of women deserving a break after Christmas chaos, with the cooking, cleaning and near much everything else in the home left to them over the Christmas period.
January 6th provided the rest, a chance to reverse roles with husbands left to figure out the “women’s work” while the ladies enjoyed their day. Asking mam if she needs a hand in the kitchen wouldn’t cut it on this day, as traditional customs saw the women call to friends and neighbours, enjoying the last of the Christmas cake and a cup of tea.
In the modern day, it’s a chance to “have a hooly” as my own mother puts it. A proud Cork city woman she is, with Cork one of the places where Nollaig na mBan is most celebrated. Pubs and restaurants would see influxes of women of all ages, yet as gender roles change, ‘Little Christmas’ today isn’t as prominent.
Here on Merseyside though, it’s alive and well. Liverpool Irish Centre held their festivities on Sunday, opting for a more traditional approach. The centre held their first celebration in a few years, and are committing to keeping the tradition alive.
As society changes, and women’s lives exist outside the home, new obstacles to the day occur. Working lives alongside home lives dominate, and traditions like Women’s Christmas are starting to be overlooked. However, the day is still being marked and celebrated.
Irish Christmas festivities have been passed down for hundreds of years. Today is also known as the day where the Christmas tree comes down, and the three wise men come to the crib, giving baby Jesus their gifts.
Some of the more spiritual traditions include all the well’s water across Ireland turning to wine at midnight tonight. Anyone to touch the wine, would be met by bad luck. These traditions may be seen as silly, but Women’s Christmas definitely is not.
Who knows, maybe some time soon Scouse mums will see their deserved day off, after all where would you be without your mothers?
Nollaig na mBan Shona Daoibh (Happy Women’s Christmas to you all!)
Listen below to how Liverpool Irish Centre celebrated Women’s Christmas
https://soundcloud.com/lssowats/liverpool-irish-centre-talking-about-their-celebration
