Celtic heritage

[milamander]

Hi there,
My name is Mila Kaczmarek and I’m a student of cultural anthropology. I write my MA thesis about Celtic heritage in contemporary Ireland. I would like to start here a discussion about it.

How would you define word "celtic"?
Which celtic traditions and it's elements are in your opinion still alive? In which areas of life?

[Thaedydal]

Celtic is the collective term given to the many tribes, clans and people who lived in certain parts of the world, from parts of germany, iberia, the isle of mann, scotland, wales and ireland.

[Darlughda]

How would you define word "celtic"?

Hia Milamander
The definition of the word 'celtic' seems to be up for grabs, it has so many different interpretations in terms of romance, myth, cultural identity, and some of what are considered to be its traditions are 'celtic' to some people, and not to others.

My own interpretation of the word Celtic, is more romantic that what is historically accurate, at times, yet it still remains an integral part of what I would consider to be my cultural identity

I have met many people from around the world who tell me they feel part of the Celtic Heritage even if they are not sure geographically where their ancestors come from.

[milamander]

Sure, it's interesting, why there's such a "celticmania" around the world now

[Darlughda]

Its an interesting subject to explore at MA level, lucky you!

So, what would your defintion of the word celtic be? and your opinions on the traditions etc?

[milamander]

Celticity can be a state of mind. For me to consider yourself as a "Celt" you should have celtic ancestors, speak one of celtic languages (although I know, they are tought like foreign languages at schools), and be interested in some parts of traditional culture.

I've got my suppositions about living traditions, but I won't tell now - I would like to know are they true - and it would be unfair to suggest something

[Azelfafage]

Originally Posted by milamander

How would you define word "celtic"?

The word Celtic is not Celtic.

(Note the K sound spelt C)

It is Greek.

The "Keltoi" were the amorphous Northern peoples,usually with blue eyes, to the north of the Greeks.

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[kickarykee]

as for traditions - there are of course some holiday celebrations that root back to them ... Halloween being one of them if I'm not mistaken ...

[Dravokivich]

As a "Celt" in itself, from lore and such, I think there are only 2 things that survive, but not entriely within Ireland itself.

1) Bonfires at Halloween:

It was around the "celtic" period that "St Patrick" was in Ireland... we still have bonfires at halloween, but not for the same reasons as the celts... alot of people use it now for getting rid of trashed furniture...

2) Newgrange at the Soltice:

Granted it's more of a neo-lithic thing.... but it had been carried on by the celts also... there's a huge waiting list to view both soltices in Newgrange, but just to witness it, not the spiritual / ritual reasons behind it that the celts might of had.

They are both excuses / passing interests more so then bringing forward "Tradition," for the masses...

There's no respect for celtic tradition being brought forward by the main / general population of Ireland. It's more of a "Brand" then an "Identity".

- Drav!

[Azelfafage]

Don't worry Drav.

Newgrange was built by mathematicians.

Keep studying maths as long as you can.
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[subedei]

For me there is definitely such a thing as celtic culture, celtic art so forth but its not really a genetic thing. According to the book "blood of the isles" written by a geneticist, there is very little celtic blood in Ireland or in britain, it was the same people from the neolithic times and before that lived here. It is more like modern times, where you have alot of american culture etc here and globally, but that doesnt mean your american. Same thing with the celts, the culture travelled but the people didnt. Artistically there has been various revivals including the early medieval era in Ireland and partly in Britain, which was called Insular Art. 19th century saw another such revival in Ireland. Certainly historians take the early irish literature like the Táin as representive of celtic lifestyle.

[Watch Ryder]

I don't know if you've heard of this before but one of the (fringe?) theories on St Patrick was that he wasn't driving real snakes out of Island but the olde worlde Celtic faith (it being represented by the snakes)...

[Watch Ryder]

Originally Posted by Thaedydal

Celtic is the collective term given to the many tribes, clans and people who lived in certain parts of the world, from parts of germany, iberia, the isle of mann, scotland, wales and ireland.

and england too.

[subedei]

Originally Posted by Watch Ryder

and england too.

aye also looks like the anglo saxon invasion of england wasnt as major as previously thought and from the finds looks like the same people from before saxons just adopted to the new way just like they did with the Romans.

[Grimes]

Originally Posted by subedei

aye also looks like the anglo saxon invasion of england wasnt as major as previously thought and from the finds looks like the same people from before saxons just adopted to the new way just like they did with the Romans.

actually recent bone analysis is hinting at widespread population replacement.