DCHP-3

janneying

DCHP-2 (Oct 2016)

Spelling variants:
jannying

n. — Newfoundland, Social customs

the practice of visiting houses in elaborate costumes and disguises and participating in various group activities during Christmas (see Image 1 at mummering

Type: 1. Origin — While janneying, mummering and mumming all describe the same practice popular in Newfoundland, the form janneying appears to be most used on the west coast of the Great Northern Peninsula (see Widdowson, in Halper & Story 1969: 217). In areas of Newfoundland where both the terms janneying and mummering are used, janneying is seen as the younger and less established term, and is sometimes used by older people to distinguish between folk play actors (who are always referred to as mummers and never as janneys) and younger disguised house-visitors. In Cornish English, the term "jan" is a generic name for a Cornishman, so it is possible it was simply adopted in select regions of Newfoundland for 'mummers'. See also Widdowson in Story & Halpert (1969: 216-221).
See also COD-2, s.v. "janny", which is marked "Cdn (Nfld), ITP Nelson, s.v. "janny", which is marked "Newfoundland", DNE, s.v. "janny" and "jannying", and OED-3, s.v. "janney", which is marked "Newfoundland".
See: mummering(entry & Image 1)

Quotations

1968
The practice of mumming or "janneying", connected with religion, ritual, and drama, reflects the central role of the disguised figure, the stranger, in the folklore of many parts of the world. Newfoundland's mumming tradition, which is still a vital part of the island's culture, offers a unique opportunity for observing and studying the practice.
1980
Isolated on its rock, Newfoundland has always had a culture of its own. Its own storytellers, its jigs and reels at outport dances, its own traditions like mummering or janneying - dressing up to perform at Christmas or Halloween.
1985
"Is it mummering or janneying?" asked a mainlander. "Mummering's the word," answered Old Jess.
1991
Janneying was undertaken by boys and girls in the early evenings, starting on Boxing Day and continuing for the rest of the 12 days. At night the adults came out; mostly those young men I referred to. They didn't come out for any special reason, they just came. Janneys were costumed and spoke strangely; and the trick was to recognize their true voices under the guttural janney-talk, or to catch a glimpse of them under the odd apparel - mostly belted sheets or blankets hauled over their heads, through which they made a peephole with their hands.
2010
In Newfoundland there is a 200-year tradition of mummery, sometimes called janneying, that takes place between Christmas and Jan. 6. The men often dress as large-sized women, and no one is supposed to be recognizable. The occasional alcoholic beverage may be offered.
2015
A long-standing Newfoundland and Labrador holiday tradition found its way into western Manitoba this weekend, when a group of East Coast transplants donned pillowcases and lampshades and started door-knocking. Mummering, mumming or janneying is the practice of dressing up in a disguise -- usually made of household items -- and visiting friends' homes to entertain and play a guessing game. "The tradition is that as you go to each house you're offered a drink, but the drink was only offered once they figured out who you were," Newfoundland and Labrador native Tom Brophy said. "It almost became a rite of passage when you got of age."

References

  • Halpert & Story (1969)
  • COD-2
  • ITP Nelson
  • OED-3
  • DNE