taking our culture forward

Burning out the evil spirits on Oie Voaldyn (the evening before 1 May) has been done in the Isle of Man for centuries.

Traditionally seen as the final point of winter, before the summer half of the year begins on Laa Boaldyn (1 May), it is on Oie Voaldyn that we are most open to evil influences such as witchcraft or the work of the Mooinjer Veggey. Because of this, it was important to protect your land and homes against maleficent influences, by burning a fire to drive out the evil.

A few different farms continued this tradition about 60 years ago, but today this ancient Manx tradition is kept alive by only these three people.

More about the traditions of Oie Voaldyn can be found here: Boaldyn