Galoshans
As a child in the sixties, every year on Hallowe’en, we went out guising, dressed up in wonderful creations of crepe paper that represented characters from books or history. With turnip lanterns, our group of friends would travel around the neighbours’ houses to entertain them.
Each turn usually consisted of a few jokes or singing a song or reciting a poem: for years at every house, wee Eck’s poem was always Duck’s Ditty (Kenneth Grahame, 1908). Next day at school, friends would ask about your galoshans - what you had performed, how you had been dressed - how many 3d bits, nuts and tangerines you had collected!
Galoshans was something we enjoyed every year but nobody ever explained what it was or where it came from. Travelling around Inverclyde in October 2022, you are likely to have spotted several banners or leaflets for Inverclyde’s Galoshans Festival.
What’s it all about?
So it was time for some research. Where did the word come from? What exactly is galoshans? What is its link with All Hallows’ Evening - Hallowe’en?
What’s in a name?
Thinking back, I probably thought we went out for 'galoshans' because we usually had to wear 'galoshes' from the Scots word ‘galash’ meaning overshoe - though I think of them as wellie boots - as it always seemed to be a dark, rainy night each 31st October.
However, a quick Google search took me to the website for the Dictionary of the Scots Language and the word 'Galatian'. The definition given explains that Galatian is the name of a play performed by a group of boy guisers around the end of the year or at Hallowe’en. It was an opportunity to entertain, but perhaps more importantly for the boys, the chance to earn some extra money, food or ale.
A seasonal entertainment
Although this traditional play was performed in many locations, within one parish the characters and scripts could differ. The play would be bookended with music and seasonal songs. Each boy would learn a part and dress up in a mixture of old and adapted clothes with homemade props.
The cast:
The Black Knight - otherwise Alexander of Macedon - who has conquered all the world except Scotland.
The Galatian is the champion of all Scotland who with a wooden sword fights and kills the Black Knight.
An amazing Doctor who can treat any ill as well as resurrecting the dead.
Judas, who pays the Doctor’s fee and may narrate the story.
Other minor or local characters such as saints might be involved.
No witches. No ghosts. No black cats. No bats. No spiders’ webs.
Galatian? I’ve heard that word before…
In the corner of my memory, I recall the word Galatian in a different context. In the New Testament, Paul writes letters to the Galatians who were at one time a nation of Celts living in Galatia, now in modern-day Turkey. When spoken, this book of the Bible was pronounced, with the ’t’ - to my ears at least - more like the 'sh' as in 'caution' or 'pronounciation'.
Using this example it is not difficult to get from 'Gal-a-tee-an' to 'Gal-ay-shan' or 'Gal-o-shan'. Indeed, the reader of the audio book version of A Pig of Cold Poison (2010) by Pat McIntosh, calls the entertainment expected on All Hallows’ Eve the play Galossian or Galo-see-an. McIntosh describes the play but in this instance, the amazing Doctor is unable to revive the poisoned mummer.
The link
Finally, why is galoshans linked with Hallowe’en?
In brief: In earlier times, Allhallowtide - 31st October-2nd November - was focused on the souls of the dead. Elsewhere, this included 'souling' when poor families, especially children, would go from house to house to collect soul cakes in exchange for praying for the givers’ dead.
Later, this might include mumming - acting a play and singing. Costumes or disguises were worn to avoid being recognised by evil spirits seeking vengence. Evil spirits were warded off by carrying turnip lanterns.
The activities of galoshans and Hallowe’en are virtually the same, the main difference being that the Galatian play formed the central part in Scotland’s festivities.
The Galoshans Play
Magic Torch have created an Inverclyde version which can be accessed via tales of the oak.blogspot.com (posted 2 October 2017).
This version casts Inverclyde myths and legends in the main roles. While the text can still be downloaded, the videos mentioned of previous performances are no longer available.