Help measure Hop tu Naa!

Help measure Hop tu Naa!

Tue, 15 Oct 2024

Help measure the popularity of Manx traditions this Hop tu Naa!

Culture Vannin is looking for the community to help with a study of those going out to sing this Hop tu Naa.

The hope is to keep track of a few simple things about those calling at their door on 31 October. Importantly, these will include information on the songs being sung.

This will form the first survey of its type, offering an important measure of Manx traditions today, against which things can be measured in future.

James Franklin, Online & Educational Resources Officer at Culture Vannin, says:

“Hop tu Naa is a thing which people in other parts of the world are often amazed to hear about. The songs, turnips and other parts of the tradition set it apart as something exciting and unique. However, this has never been measured in a systematic or quantifiable way before – which is what we want to put right this year!”

Hop tu Naa is a strong tradition in the Isle of Man, with roots pointing back deep into history. Marking the end of autumn and the beginning of winter, it has always been an important date in the Manx calendar. Much around Hop tu Naa is unique and distinctive to the Island.

The carving of turnips is one element, but more distinctive are the songs performed on people’s doorsteps on the evening of 31 October. Indeed, it is believe that Hop tu Naa itself takes its name from the song itself.

Always a changing and developing tradition, Hop tu Naa varies not just over time but also all over the Island. The experiences of people in one area can be vastly different to other places even very close by. This is what the simple survey hopes to capture.

The survey is anonymous, and no one needs to ask anyone any questions. Rather, volunteers will be asked to simply note down how many people visit, how many sing, what they sing, and whether they have carved turnips with them.

From this, Culture Vannin hope to create a simple overview of the tradition as it is practised today, and against which it can be measured in the future.

James Franklin says:

“If a survey like this was available from 10 or 20 years ago, it would be fascinating to measure against it today. So, we are starting it this year, so that people in the future can measure the traditions against it. We are making it as simple as possible, in the hope that many people will lend a hand recording it as best we are able.”

Anyone interested can download the survey form here:

Hop tu Naa survey

Completed forms, or pictures or digital versions thereof, can be returned to:

FAO James Franklin, Culture Vannin, Fairfield House, Main Road, St John's, IM4 3NA
resources@culturevannin.im