Christmas 2024: Mummers, Murder and Manifestations

Episode 349: In the 8th Christmas episode of the Dark Poutine podcast, we once again dive into the shadowy side of holiday traditions that often go unnoticed amidst the festive cheer. This episode will explore the dark origins of some Christmas customs, such as mummering, a practice steeped in mystery and community engagement, where masked individuals visit homes to entertain and sometimes frighten. We will also recount the chilling tale of Isaac Mercer, who met a tragic end at the hands of mummers in Bay Roberts, Newfoundland, in 1860. Additionally, we’ll dig into the age-old custom of telling ghost stories during Christmas, which has deep roots in ancient traditions. This custom entertains and serves as a poignant reminder of mortality amidst the holiday festivities, adding an intriguing layer to our understanding of Christmas celebrations. We’ll share some chilly Canadian ghost stories along the way. Sources: Saturnalia | Celebration, Sacrifice, & Influence on Christmas | Britannica The Wild Holiday That Turned Ancient Rome Upside Down The Fright Before Christmas by Jeff Belanger Mummers, Murder and Mayhem Archival Moments: An Act Outlawing Mummering Celebrate Christmas the old-fashioned way: with drunken mayhem | CBC News Ep079 The Isaac Mercer Mummer Murder Case. | MUN Statutes of Newfoundland, 1861 The Christmas Tradition With A Dark Side | The Murder Of Isaac Mercer | Youtube Any Mummers ’Lowed In?: Christmas Mummering Traditions in Newfoundland and Labrador by Dale Jarvis The dark side of mummering: What you may not know about a beloved tradition | CBC News The Isaac Mercer Mummer Murder Gate | Carved by the Sea Victorian Christmas Ghost Storytelling Traditions in Montreal Rousing ghost of Mount Royal The Coffin Surfing Ghost Montreal’s Duggan House built on a foundation of the uncanny The long journey for a body's burial 10 famously spooky Canadian ghost tales Mysteries in Canadian History 7 Spooky Stories from Across Canada Augustus John Peers (1848-1901) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices