taking our culture forward

Hop tu Naa is the oldest continuously-existing tradition in the Isle of Man. Celebrated on the 31st of October, Hop tu Naa is the Manx equivalent of Halloween, with some very important differences. Unmistakably, one of the key features of Hop tu Naa is the "moot" (turnip), which is hollowed out and decorated; there is also a range of popular folk songs with regional differences, in both English and Manx; there is a traditional folk dance still practiced across the Island today; and there are some unusual customs and supertitions which link back to the ancient Celtic beliefs about this time of year...

Videos

Videos

  • Hop tu Naa: A traditional Manx celebration in Maughold

  • Hop tu Naa song in Manx

  • Soddag Valloo: A Manx tradition

  • Hop tu Naa song (Ramsey)

  • Manx Dance Lesson: Hop tu Naa

  • Hop tu Naa song: "My mother's gone away"

  • The Hop tu Naa Turnip: An ancient Manx tradition

  • Daunse Hop tu Naa: Lessoon

  • Hop tu Naa (a new version) by Biskee Brisht

Oral History

  • Hampton Creer on Jinny the Witch

    Farmer and local historian Hampton Creer talks to David Callister about the origins of Jinny the Witch.

  • Sue Woolley

    An overview of the traditions around hop-tu-naa: from the Peel tradition of turnip carving through to the folklore associated with the 31st of October.

Audio

Images