More on Trowies and Up Helly Aa

Patrick Wamsley's forwarded some info and links on two topics discussed in this month's Fiddle Club, trowies and Up Helly Aa.

Trowies:

For years, the accepted explanation for the word "trow" has been that it is simply a corruption of "troll" . . . . But in my opinion, this is completely wrong . . . . The Icelandic Dictionary defines "draugr" as being a ghost or spirit; especially the dead inhabitant of a cairn . . . . The pagan Norse believed that a body placed in its grave continued to live on. The term we would use today would be "undead" . . . .

See here for more.

Up Helly Aa

Described as the end of "Yule," it could occur as early as the last week of January. Once, Up Helly Aa was called the "twenty-fourth day of Christmas," implying that it should occur on January 18th. However, some Up Helly Aa events now occur as late as mid-March. Perhaps one could liken it to the Mardi Gras / Carnival festivals that mark the Epiphany / Lent transition in Catholic countries? There are multiple celebrations of this festival on Shetland:

01/25/2011:
"This was the biggest Up Helly Aa celebration."
http://shetlopedia.com/Lerwick_Up_Helly_Aa_2011
http://www.uphellyaa.org/up-helly-aa-2011

02/04/2011:
http://shetlopedia.com/Nesting_and_Girlsta_Up_Helly_Aa_2011

02/11/2011:
http://shetlopedia.com/Uyeasound_Up_Helly_Aa_2011

02/18/2011:
http://shetlopedia.com/Northmavine_Up_Helly_Aa_2011

02/25/2011:
http://shetlopedia.com/Bressay_Up_Helly_Aa_2011
http://shetlopedia.com/Cullivoe_Up_Helly_Aa_2011

03/05/2011:
http://shetlopedia.com/Norwick_Up_Helly_Aa_2011

03/11/2011:
http://shetlopedia.com/South_Mainland_Up_Helly_Aa_2011

03/18/2011:
http://shetlopedia.com/Delting_Up_Helly_Aa_2011