"In Scotland it seems always to have been the custom to begin to make new nets or lines when the tide was rising. The work had to be carried on without interruption, and when it was done whisky would be drunk to assure good luck. If anyone should come in while nets or lines were being made it was his duty to give money for the purpose of buying whisky. At Portessie a libation was made, pouring whisky over the new nets or lines. Strange to say, a similar rite is found among the savages of New Caledonia, where a magic potion prepared by one of the priests is poured over a new fishing net."
In another example:
"To walk over nets or to count them was always regarded as a risky thing to do by the fisherfolk on the Moray Firth, especially if done by people having certain physical peculiarities. A Broadsea fisherman one day noticed a man from the neighbouring village of Pittulie counting his nets. He knew that the only way to neutralize the evil that had been done was to draw blood from near the eyes or from the chest of the offender. So he gave him a sharp blow on the forehead, and blood flowed !"
Definitely worth a full read via this link: http://www.electricscotland.com/lossiemouth/fishermen.htm
No comments:
Post a Comment