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Culture of Cornwall

Encyclopedia : C : CU : CUL : Culture of Cornwall

Cornwall, in the United Kingdom, though administratively part of England, has many cultural differences from the culture of England. These cultural differences are central to the Cornish independence movement, which advocates ceremonial independence from England.

Due to its celtic-derived traditions and unusual constitutional status Cornwall is recognised as one of the six modern 'Celtic nations' by the Celtic Congress and the Celtic League. Many celtic-derived traditions were dying out in the early 20th century but have recently increased in popularity.

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Music and festivals

Cornwall has a rich and vibrant folk music tradition which has survived into the present. Cornwall is well known for its unusual folk survivals such as Mummers Plays, the Furry Dance in Helston, and Obby Oss in Padstow. Often short Cornish festivals are called dy goel, feast day in Cornish, this term survives also in the English dialect of Cornwall as 'duggle'.

Cornish players are regular participants in inter-Celtic festivals, and Cornwall itself has several lively inter-Celtic festivals such as Perranporth's folk festival.

Golowan festival in Penzance is part of a much wider tradition of midsummer festivals where bonfires were lit on hilltops on Midsummer's Eve. The tradition of midsummer bonfires continues, albeit to a lesser extent than when fires could be seen on every hilltop, throughout Cornwall.

Cornish Celtic music is a relatively large phenomenon given the size of the region. A recent tally found over 100 bands playing mostly or entirely Cornish folk music. Traditional dancing is associated with the music. These dance events are either troyls (a Cornish ceilidh) or Nozow looan, (literally "happy nights", a dance night more similar to a Breton fest noz, and generally appealing to a younger audience).

There is a long tradition of processional dance and music in Cornwall. The best known tradition is the Helston Furry, but in reality this is just one such tradition. The term 'furry' is used generally to describe such a dance or associated tune. These bands have been referred to as 'crowders and horners' and generally have a motley mix of instruments with folk instruments such as the fiddle, bagpipe or crowdy crawn mixed up with brass, reed and anything that can be carried.

Kneehigh Theatre is one of the most high profile theatre companies in Cornwall. Their recent production of the Cornish legend Tristan and Iseult has toured throughout the UK and internationally.

Historically Cornwall has had close links with Brittany and this is reflected in the music. The Cornish and Breton languages were mutually intelligible in Tudor times and there were many Bretons living in Cornwall before the Prayer Book Rebellion. Myths, saints, dances and tunes are often shared with Brittany. It has been noted that the Breton duchy flag is the exact inverse of the Cornish flag, whether there is a reason for this is unknown. Breton flags are popular in Cornwall and are often seen alongside the Cornish flag on car bumpers and at musical events. This link continues today with Cornish-Breton festivals such as 'aberfest' in Falmouth (aberfal) and the twinning of Cornish and Breton towns.

The Cornish Gorseth (or gorsedh) is similar to the Welsh Gorsedd, and indeed was formed by the Welsh gorsedh at the request of Henry Jenner. The Cornish Gorsedh promotes the arts and the Cornish language through competitions at the open gorsedh.

Language

The Cornish language is a celtic language related to Breton and Welsh, the Cornish language was the language of Cornwall before English. The language went into decline following the introduction of the English Prayer Book and by around 1800 had ceased to be used as a community language, (see main article for further discussion.)

After 1800 researchers began to study the language from remaining isolated speakers and in 1904 Henry Jenner published 'A Handbook in the Cornish Language' signifying the revival proper. Although less than 1% of Cornwall's population speak the language and 'mother tongue' speakers are in their tens rather than hundreds, the language continues to play a significant part in the culture of Cornwall.

Many events will use Cornish, in short phrases, openings, greetings or names. There is a healthy tradition of music in the language, which can be enjoyed by non speakers. The vast majority of place names in Cornwall are derived from the language, and most people in Cornwall know a few words or phrases like, ironically, 'kernow bys vyken!' ('Cornwall forever!). Many Cornish houses, businesses, children, pets and boats are named in the language, thus it has use as a 'official community language' and any speaker will likely often be asked to provide translations. A sign of this role is that two of Cornwall's five MPs swore their oaths to the Queen in Cornish.

Food

Cornwall is famous for its pasties (a type of pie often containing meat), but saffron buns, Cornish Heavy (Hevva) Cake, Cornish fairings (biscuit), Cornish fudge and Cornish ice cream are also common.

Cornish clotted cream is a popular topping on splits and on scones. Opinion varies as to whether or not the cream should be spread on before or after the jam. Clotted cream is often served as thunder and lightning (with syrup on bread.)

There are also many types of beers brewed in Cornwall including a stout and there is some small scale production of cider and wine.

Religion

Traditionally, the Cornish have been nonconformists in religion. Celtic Christianity was a feature of Cornwall and many Cornish saints are commemorated in legends, churches and placenames.

In contrast to the Welsh language, the churches failed to produce a translation of the Bible into the local language, and this has been seen by some as a crucial factor in the demise of the language. The Bible was translated into Cornish in 2004.

In the 1540s, the Prayer Book Rebellion caused the deaths of thousands of Cornish people.

The Methodism of John Wesley also proved to be very popular with the working classes in Cornwall in the 18th century. Methodist chapels became important social centres, with male voice choirs and other church-affiliated groups playing a central role in the social lives of working class Cornishmen. Methodism still plays a large part in the religious life of Cornwall today, although Cornwall has shared in the post-World War II decline in British religious feeling.

In 2003, a campaign group was formed called Fry an Spyrys (free the spirit in Cornish) [link]. It is dedicated to disestablishing the Church of England in Cornwall and to forming an autonomous province of the Anglican Communion - a Church of Cornwall. Its chairman is Dr Garry Tregidga of the Institute of Cornish Studies. The Anglican Church was disestablished in Wales to form the Church in Wales in 1920 and in Ireland to form the Church of Ireland in 1869.

Sports and games

Cornwall has its own unique form of wrestling related to Breton wrestling. This has recently encouraged tournaments between the two nations.

Cornwall's other national sport is hurling, a kind of medieval football played with a silver ball. Hurling is distinct from Irish Hurling. The sport now takes place in St Columb and St Ives only.

Helston born boxer Bob Fitzsimmons (May 26, 1863 - October 22, 1917), who moved to New Zealand as a child, was the first ever boxer to become Heavyweight, Light-Heavyweight and Middleweight World Champion.

Rugby union has the largest following in Cornwall with the Cornish team often drawing very large crowds of supporters, dubbed Trelawny's Army. Football and Cricket are played more, with most villages and towns having clubs, but it is Rugby that captures the imagination and when the Cornish rugby team go to play in the county championships everyone in Cornwall takes big notice of the events. If the side reaches the finals at Twickenham Stadium, home of the English Rugby Union, as many as 50,000 Cornishmen (a tenth of the population) go to see the final. The last success was in 1999, when Cornwall beat Gloucestershire.

Cornish rugby has produced many fine rugby players who have played at international level. Such players as Phil Vickery and Trevor Woodman won 2003 Rugby World Cup winners medals with England, Brian 'Stack' Stevens (England and British Lions), Graham Dawe (England), along with Andy Reed who has represented Scotland and the British Lions, and many others.

Also, the Cornish rugby team can boast an Olympic silver medal. In 1908, they won the County Championship for the first time, and the prize was to represent Great Britain at rugby in the 1908 Olympic Games. They lost to Australia 32-3 in the final, and to this day remain the only county side to represent Great Britain at rugby in the Olympics, since rugby is currently no longer an Olympic sport. (See Rugby union at the 1908 Summer Olympics for more details and the teams).

Due to its large coastline, various maritime sports are popular in Cornwall, notably sailing, surfing and gig rowing. International events are frequently held in Cornwall. Cornwall will host the Inter Celtic Watersports Festival in 2006 and the Isles of Scilly hosts the World Pilot Gig Championships every year.

In 2004 the Cornwall Commonwealth Games Association was formed to send a Cornish national team to the 2006 Commonwealth games in Melbourne. [link]. The application was rejected by the Commonwealth Games Federation, but the campaign is continuing as Cornwall is the only home Celtic nation not permitted to participate in the Games.

Euchre is a popular card game in Cornwall, it is normally a game for four players consisting of two teams. Its origins are unclear but some claim it is a Cornish game. There are several leagues in Cornwall at present.

Cornish literature

The earliest Cornish literature is in the Cornish language, Cornwall produced a substantial amount of passion plays during the Middle Ages. Many are still extant, and provide valuable information about the Cornish language. These were performed in round 'plen a gwary' outside theatres.

There is much tradition folklore in Cornwall, often tales of giants, mermaids or the 'pobel vean' (little people.) These are still surprisingly popular today, with many events hosting a 'droll teller' to tell the stories. Such myths and stories have found much publishing success, particularly for children's books.

Writing in the Cornish dialect has generally been overshadowed by the Cornish language. However poems and short stories have been published, often with a typically Cornish humour.

Cornish World is a colour magazine covering all aspects of Cornish life, it has proved popular with the descendants of Cornish emigrants as well as Cornish residents, it is produced in Cornwall. It includes a column in the Cornish language.

Notable Cornish writers include Arthur Quiller-Couch, alias "Q", Jack Clemo, deaf short story writer, and D M Thomas, acclaimed author and poet.

Daphne du Maurier lived in Cornwall and set many of her novels there, including Rebecca, Jamaica Inn, Frenchman's Creek, My Cousin Rachel, and The House on the Strand. She is also noted for writing Vanishing Cornwall.

Charles de Lint, writer of many modern and urban fairy tales, set his novel The Little Country in the village of Mousehole in Cornwall.

Cornwall is featured heavily in the beginning of The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley as the home of Igraine, wife of Gorlois, Duke of Cornwall. The castle at Tintagel has been said to be the birthplace of King Arthur.

Cornwall was the setting for the popular series of Poldark books by Winston Graham, and for the television series based on those books.

Over Sea, Under Stone and Greenwitch from the series of fantasy novels The Dark Is Rising, by Susan Cooper, are set in Cornwall.

Cornish art

Cornwall has produced and inspired many artists. St. Ives is known for its artists and hosts the Tate Gallery. The newlyn school of artists is also well known.

Celtic art is found in Cornwall, often in the form of Celtic crosses. Cornwall boasts the highest density of traditional 'celtic crosses' of any nation. In modern times many crosses were erected as war memorials and to celebrate events such as the millennium.

Cornish film

Numerous films, short and long, have been made in Cornwall. The Cornish film industry is well supported by organisations such as war-rag. The Celtic Film Festival allows entries from Cornish film makers and will be held in Falmouth in 2006. Also the Goel fylm Kernow/Cornwall Film Festival is held once a year and supports Cornish film making in either language.

Goel fylm Kernow hosts workshops, screenings and the "govynn kernewek" compitition in which applicants present their idea for a film in the Cornish language and win money, material and knowledge support to make it. Films made due to this award include "Kernow's Kick Ass Kung-Fu Kweens", a kung-fu film in Cornish.

The only feature length film in the Cornish language is 'Hwerow Hweg', filmed alongside an English version, but due to several unusual desicions it wasn't as popular as hoped. However there are a great many short films in the language.

However many film-makers working solely in English will refer to themselves as Cornish film makers. Their films often make use of Cornish themes, landscape and way of life. Certainly the concept of a Cornish film industry exists, the term 'Oggywood' has been coined (from oggy meaning pasty and Hollywood.)

Traditional dress

"Traditional dress" of Cornwall includes bal maiden's gear, and fishermen's smocks.

Modern versions of the Cornish kilt have become popular. These kilts are available in various Cornish tartans. The use of kilts in Cornwall dates back several centuries. There are some carvings showing kilts, but the style is not nessesarily the same as the Scottish-style kilts worn today. Debate has also existed about whether the kilts should use tartan, it has been argued that plain black kilts should be worn. However the most common kilt used is a pleated Scottish-style with a leather, Duchy of Cornwall shield-style sporran.

The Cornish national tartan was designed by E.E Morton Nance using colours traditionally associated with Cornwall. Fragments of tartan were found in Penwith.

Cornish studies

The Institute of Cornish Studies, established in 1970, moved to the new Combined Universities in Cornwall Campus at Tremough, Penryn in October of 2004. The institute is a branch of the University of Exeter.

On Cornish history, Philip Payton professor of Exeter University's department of Cornish studies has written Cornwall: A History as well as editing the Cornish studies series.

Mark Stoyle Senior Lecturer in Early Modern History at the University of Southampton asks ‘Are the Cornish English?’in his book West Britons a work on Cornish history exploring the nature of Cornishness in the early modern period.

John Angarrack of the human rights organisation Cornwall 2000 has produced two books to date. Breaking the Chains and Our Future is History are polemical reexaminations of Cornish history and identity.

A detailed overview of literature is provided by A. M. Kent's 'The Literature of Cornwall'. It covers everything from medieval mystery plays to more recent literary works that draw on the Cornish landscape.

Cornish Symbols

Saint Piran's Flag, a white cross on a black background is often seen in Cornwall. The Duchy of Cornwall shield of 15 gold bezants on a black field is also used. Because of these two symbols black, white and gold are considered colours symbolic of Cornwall.

The chough (in Cornish = palores) is also used as a symbol of Cornwall. In Cornish poetry the chough is used to symbolise the spirit of Cornwall. Also there is a Cornish belief that King Arthur lives in the form of a chough. "Chough" was also used as a nickname for Cornish people.

An anvil is sometimes used to symbolise Cornish nationalism, particularly in its more extreme forms. This is a reference to 'Michael An Gof' , 'the smith' a leader of a Cornish rebellion.

Fish, tin and copper together are used as they show the 'traditional' three main industries of Cornwall. Tin has a special place in the Cornish culture, the 'stannary parliament' and 'Cornish pennies' are a testament to the former power of the Cornish tin industry. Cornish tin is highly prized for jewelery, often of mine engines or celtic designs.

Although Cornwall has no official flower many people favour the Cornish heath (Erica vagans). In recent years daffodils have been popular on the annual Saint Piran's day march on Perran sands although they are donated by a local daffodil grower and it is already considered to be the National flower of Wales.

See also

External links

 

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