Mhelliah

From ManxWiki

The Mhelliah is a sale or Fair held traditionally at the end of summer or harvest time at which all produce grown/made is sold to the highest bidder in auction fashion. Dating back centuries, mhelliahs are a popular social occasion on the island where they are held traditionally in the September/October of each year.

Contents 1 Origins 2 Format 3 See Also 4 External Links

Origins

Originally a social gathering of local communities to celebrate the harvest and thank the Pagan Gods for a fruitful year these events are now usually held in aid of local charities.

Format

The format of a tradditional Mhelliah is a good humoured sale of goods, the singing of harvest hymns such as "Come, Ye Thankful People, Come" and "We Plough The Fields And Scatter" and the crowning of a "Queen of the Mhelliah". The pinnacle of the sale is the Melliah Loaf which is cooked in the shape of a Sheef of Wheat from that years produce in time for the sale, this final item is the one most likely to raise money way beyond it's realistic value.

See Also

External Links

Categories: Activities | Culture