English Holidays and Celebrations: Darkie Day


Figure 1.-- There are also a range of other events celebrated locally. One of these is Darkie Day celebrated on Boxing Day and New Year's Day each year in the fishing port of Padstow in Cornwall. The origins go back to travelling "mummers" in medieval times who used to blacken their faces and sing for the price of a meal - this was known as "guising". Click on the image to see the rest of the group.

There are also a range of other events celebrated locally. One of these is Darkie Day celebrated on Boxing Day and New Year's Day each year in the fishing port of Padstow in Cornwall. The origins go back to travelling "mummers" in medieval times who used to blacken their faces and sing for the price of a meal - this was known as "guising". The whole thing became a formalised celebration in the 19th century when the minstrels musical movement arrived from America. The whole purpose of the ceremony today is to raise money for charity. A British reader writes, "Where did you get the expression DARKIE DAY? I have been aware of mummers on Boxing Day since I was very small (we had them in the parish where I grew up, though I never saw them). I have NEVER heard this expression before today though!" I believe it is the term used in the Cornish port. I don't know if it is used any where else. It appears to be a tradition that continues today. There is a 2005 image that appeared in the newspapers.










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Created: 5:47 AM 5/10/2005
Last updated: 5:19 PM 5/10/2005