The Haxey Hood Game, 1956Author(s): Mary RobinsonSource: Folklore, Vol. 67, No. 3 (Sep., 1956), pp. 169-170Published by: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. on behalf of Folklore Enterprises, Ltd.Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/1259176 .

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Collectanea 169 ogili is a hardy plant and so it must indeed be an unlucky man whose ogili perishes.)

Okuku si, na onye nalur. lu adeli nli. The fowl says, he who will not work (scratch), will not eat.

Afa kwue ezi-okuri, ewelu 3tulu-aka nalu ya aka. If the casting of lots reveals the truth an oliphant is passed to and fro. (Praise for work well done is exceptional.)

M. D. W. JEFFREYS

THE HAXEY HOOD GAME, 1956

ON 6th January, 1956, the Lord of the Hood, the Boggans (bogged-down- ones), and the Fool met in the " Duke William ", and the spectators con- gregated outside. From time to time the Fool (with blackened face and in fancy costume) sallied forth from the Inn to chase the children with his stick and bladder, which was much enjoyed by the venturesome children.

At the appointed hour, 3 p.m., the Lord of the Hood called " Boggans out! ", and all formed into a rough procession and walked up the hill to the remains of the village cross outside the churchyard.

The Lord of the Hood wore a very lovely pink hunting coat, fancy waistcoat, light trousers tucked into gum boots, and a glorious hat. He has had this top hat for twenty years, and it has mellowed without be- coming shabby. A spray of pheasant's feathers stands up the side of the crown, and the hat itself is covered with artificial flowers and small brooches-even an " Esso " badge appears on the back of the brim. He carried with him his wand of office-thirteen willow wands bound by thirteen strands, with red ribbons fluttering from the tip.

Most of the Boggans wore red jerseys, but not caps. Some just had red ribbons tied round their ordinary jacket sleeves. The Boggans are young husky men-as they need to be.

The Chief Boggan had a pink coat similar to that of the Lord, though not as long, and a beautiful hat ornamented with artificial roses. This, too, had mellowed with time.

The Hood itself is a leather object about two feet long by two inches in diameter, and it is stuffed with straw and material. In it there are twelve threepenny pieces and one gold half sovereign. In addition to this, there are several minor hoods made of sacking.

When the procession reached the cross, the Fool mounted the stump and made a speech referring to the history of the game and inviting us to the Hood. A fire was lit behind the Fool, the idea being to " smoke " him. This year, however, someone forgot to damp the straw, and the Fool caught fire. However, many willing hands soon extinguished the blaze.

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170 Collectanea The company then proceeded to a large open space-how large I could

not see because of the thick mist. The Boggans made a large circle round the players, who apparently

consisted of villagers and anyone else who cared to join in. Their object is to stop the players from getting a hood off the ground and taking it to one of the inns, where they would then receive a pint of beer. If a Boggan touches a hood it becomes " dead ", and is returned to the Lord of the Hood.

The Lord throws the hoods one at a time, with intervals between, calling as he throws:

Hoose agen hoose, Toon agen toon, If you meet a man knock him down But don't hurt him!

From time to time one of the prominent villagers would be invited to throw a hood and call the rhyme. One hood was thrown especially for the schoolboys.

From time to time a pleasant-faced man with a rich melodious and tremendously vital voice would cry " Knock him do-o-O-o-wn! " He was equally quick to cry " Let him get up! " when occasion demanded. These cries appeared to be almost as much a part of the game as the rhyme itself.

The ground was wet and soggy, but I felt that even that was preferable to hard, frozen ground when I saw with what abandon the players raced with the hood, threw it to each other, tripped each other up, and fell flat on their faces. The village doctor was in attendance, and I felt that it was not merely from an interest in the game.

When the minor hoods had finally been disposed of, the " big 'un " went up. It was thrown straight up in the air, after a reminder to the players that it must neither be thrown nor kicked, but must be " swayed ".

" Swaying " consists of something like a Rugby football scrum, with everybody pushing and heaving. I was told that on occasion the wall of the churchyard has been broken down by the pressure of the sway. One of the duties of the Boggans is to see that as many men as possible join in the sway. They round up the laggards with great cries and run them into the sway.

The Hood is swayed by rival factions to one of the local inns, where it is lodged for the following year.

After refreshments (and a much-needed wash) most of the participants attend the village dance in the evening.

The Hood celebrations continue for a week. The Lord of the Hood and the Boggans visit all the local inns and sing the songs now associated with the game-" The Farmer's Boy ", and " John Barleycorn "

MARY ROBINSON

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