Sunset In Rocky Harbour
When I mean we are not coming home…
I mean, well…
We don’t want to. It’s too nice here. Plus we’ve been adopted by Newfoundland. We’re officially unofficial Newfoundlanders. Or unofficially official Newfoundlanders.
Or Newfie’s for short.
You see. The Newfoundland people have a tradition. Well, more like a ceremony, that people from away (that’s what they call non-Newfoundlanders) can partake in to become Newfie’s. This is the closest you can become to being an official Newfie without being born or reincarnated in Newfoundland.
We’ve enjoyed our time so much, we wanted to become Newfie’s. So…
We set up a time for our ceremony at Earle’s Restaurant. Speaking of Earle’s, if you find yourself in Rocky Harbour, this is an excellent place to eat. Yummy moose pizza.
Anyway…getting back to the ceremony.
They call it a Screeched In Ceremony. Screech is a rum that has been in Newfoundland for hundreds of years. Not really a drink of our choice, but we did this for the ceremony.
The ceremony starts out with Mummers. Mummers have been in Newfoundland also for hundreds of years. Newfie’s dress up with masks or pillow cases over their heads and go door to door mumming. Usually around Christmas time. I’m not entirely sure about the whole tradition, but who am I to argue with tradition.
Mummers At The Screech In Ceremony
Thank goodness it was frozen!
We actually had to kiss the cod twice because they, the Mummers, said the first kiss was not good enough. Go figure.
YUK!!! That’s all I have to say about that.
So these Mummers show up and start dancing and joking with everyone. They got all of us up and dancing with them.
Then it was time for the ceremony. David and I went first. The ceremony consists of….
Kissing a cod fish. Yup, we did that.
The Cod We Had To Kiss
Then we had to say, “Long may your big Jib draw.” Not only did we have to say this, but we had to say this three times fast. What a tongue twister.
Brenda Kissing The Cod At The Screech In Ceremony
Then when the Mummers were satisfied with that, we had to take a shot of Screech. Now we’re not big drinkers. Usually wine and only once in a great while. But we had to do this shot. So off we went. David did his first. Like a pro. I on the other hand was to nervous about throwing it back up. So I probably did what I should not have done. I gulped it. And yes, it was terrible. But I did it. And it stayed down. Yeah for us!
It’s Official. We Are Newfie’s!
David Kissing The Cod In The Screech In Ceremony
David & Brenda Getting Screeched In
We came prepared and brought our newly adopted countries’ flag. So it’s official. We are Newfie’s!
Then it was time for our friends to get Screeched In.
Gladys Kissing The Cod
Evelyn Kissing The Cod
Curtis Kissing The Cod
Terry Kissing The Cod
Gladys and Curtis from Louisiana are now official Newfie’s. Gladys being a true southern woman, brought up a lemon to rub on the cod before she kissed it. Because everyone knows you have lemon with your fish.
Then it was Terry and Evelyn’s time.
So now they are official Newfie’s too.
After we were all Screeched In, the music started again and we all danced to our new citizenship.
Then Terry and Curtis, being from Louisiana, got over taken by the music and had to join in.
David & Brenda With The Mummers
Terry started playing the spoons and Curtis started playing the Ugly Stick.
We had a wonderful evening. Laughing all the time.
Live, Laugh And Be Newfie!
Terry Playing The Spoons
Curtis Playing The Ugly Stick
We Are All Newfie’s Now!
The Newfoundland Flag Hanging In Our Coach’s Window
Wow! What an experience you’re having. Colour me jealous! :)
Awesome website.
Mike
Thanks Mike.
Glad you enjoyed it.
I CAN’T STOP LAUGHING AND I WASN’T EVEN THERE. I can’tt imagine if I was. What a riot.