Embrace the Celtic New Year by celebrating the ancient custom of Hop tu Naa

Hop tu Naa on the 31st October is the oldest continuously-existing tradition in the Isle of Man – a date that is historically the eve of the Celtic New Year and a time to be extra wary of witchcraft and other supernatural happenings!

The Manx equivalent of Halloween, Hop tu Naa (pronounced Hop chew nay) has retained many of the customs that have been long forgotten in other parts of the Celtic world. Today in the Isle of Man, turnip lanterns, or ‘moots’, are still carved into lanterns and decorated, Manx Gaelic and English songs and rhymes (often referring to Jinny the Witch!) are performed by children around the community in exchange for a handful of sweets, a processional folk dance is still practiced across the Island and there are some quirky customs and superstitions which link back to ancient Celtic beliefs.

Help keep our unique Manx traditions alive and get involved in celebrating Hop tu Naa this year.

Get inspired by the educational resources and learn the traditional songs:

https://www.culturevannin.im/manx_year_event_468995.html

Carve a turnip lantern, join in with a dance, scare yourself silly on a spooky bus or train, and enjoy the fun at one of the many Hop tu Naa community events this forthcoming half term:

https://www.visitisleofman.com/whats-on/traditional-and-cultural/hop-tu-naa

Enter your turnip lantern in the IOM Post Office, Culture Vannin & Year of Our Island photo competition: https://www.culturevannin.im/news_story_549096.html

And, for the special #2018 Year of Our Island, free posters, banners, stickers and information booklets have been produced free of charge. Pick them up in your local library.

http://www.ourisland.im