Post by Ptarmigan on May 17, 2008 11:32:57 GMT
I came across this article, which I thought might interest some of you.
Appalachian Celts and their Music
By Charles H. Ball
Here are three quotes which you might enjoy:
When the Celtic people settled the Appalachian region they had their hands full: Indians, bears, wilderness, weather, topography ..........you name it.
They were not inclined to worry much about their roots, except the ones they planted in the ground.
All they knew was that they had escaped tyranny, poverty, and oppression of one kind or another and were now planted in a new world, a world they had yet to conquer.
And this conquest would be a full-time job.
Today, three centuries later, most of their descendants have no sense of being Irish, or Scots-Irish, or Welsh, or Scottish.
They were not inclined to worry much about their roots, except the ones they planted in the ground.
All they knew was that they had escaped tyranny, poverty, and oppression of one kind or another and were now planted in a new world, a world they had yet to conquer.
And this conquest would be a full-time job.
Today, three centuries later, most of their descendants have no sense of being Irish, or Scots-Irish, or Welsh, or Scottish.
So, have they ALL really forgotten their roots - I find that hard to believe!
The history of the Scots-Irish is complex and is widely misunderstood.
To understand it, we need to know a little about the settlement of Scotland in the remote past.
Highland Scotland was settled by Gaelic immigrants from Ireland.
In those days what is now Scotland was called Alba and what is now Ireland was known as Scotia.
The inhabitants of Scotia were called Scots.
So the Gaelic Scots went to the highlands of Alba, and as a result Alba eventually became known as Scotland.
These highlanders spoke Gaelic and were very different from the lowland Scots who spoke a dialect of English.
Most of our Scottish images are drawn from the highlanders, with their clans and their plaids and their bagpipes and their wars.
We don't seem to think of the lowlanders, who were more similar to the people of the northern counties of England.
They had their own traditions, their own bagpipes (quite unlike the pipes of the highlanders), their own songs (in their own language), and their own dances.
It is this group of lowlanders who were ultimately to have the greatest influence in Appalachia.
To understand it, we need to know a little about the settlement of Scotland in the remote past.
Highland Scotland was settled by Gaelic immigrants from Ireland.
In those days what is now Scotland was called Alba and what is now Ireland was known as Scotia.
The inhabitants of Scotia were called Scots.
So the Gaelic Scots went to the highlands of Alba, and as a result Alba eventually became known as Scotland.
These highlanders spoke Gaelic and were very different from the lowland Scots who spoke a dialect of English.
Most of our Scottish images are drawn from the highlanders, with their clans and their plaids and their bagpipes and their wars.
We don't seem to think of the lowlanders, who were more similar to the people of the northern counties of England.
They had their own traditions, their own bagpipes (quite unlike the pipes of the highlanders), their own songs (in their own language), and their own dances.
It is this group of lowlanders who were ultimately to have the greatest influence in Appalachia.
Yes, their own Bagpipes, Lowland & Scottish Smallpipes & yet these are hardly played over here anymore, the big Highlanders Pipes obviously won the day - well after all, it is impossible to compete wi' thon big beasties! ;D
The early settlement of Appalachia by the Celts included Irish, Scots-Irish, and lowland Scots, as well as many Welsh.
Few highlanders came into Appalachia.
Strangely, the highlanders found their home in the coastal areas of North Carolina in such places as Wilimington and other settlements along the Cape Fear River.
They got as far as the Piedmont, but few ventured farther into the Appalachian highlands.
Few highlanders came into Appalachia.
Strangely, the highlanders found their home in the coastal areas of North Carolina in such places as Wilimington and other settlements along the Cape Fear River.
They got as far as the Piedmont, but few ventured farther into the Appalachian highlands.
Interesting! I hadn't realised that few Highlanders ever reached the Appalachian area.
Anyway, why not check the article out for yourself.
Appalachian Celts and their Music