In the late 1800s, Jamaican children would play Moonshine Baby on the night of a full moon. Claude McKay recalled his father telling them that “the making of these moonshine babies was an old African custom and that different villages used to compete in the making of them.” (“Boyhood in Jamaica”, Phylon (1940-1956), Vol. 14, No. 2 (2nd Qtr., 1953), pp. 134-145)
Olive Senior wrote about this game in her poem “Moonshine Dolly”.
We have a matter of hours left of our kickstarter to fund series 2! Please share and spread the word. I am so grateful for all the love and support you've given me 💚
The flower and herb I have been studying over the last week has been St.Johns wort so made a pixel art of it.
In European folklore St.Johns wort (AKA Hypericum perforatum) has strong connections to protecting against spirits and St.John’s Eve was the day that the herb was the most potent. June 23rd.
It has strong associations with midsummer. It was also used in love spells as well.
I've uncovered more information about Nanny Morgan! I'm just trying to dig a bit deeper now, but I'm definitely in need of a rewrite! It makes me so happy to add more depth to her story!
My name is Amy, and I'm a writer and folklorist specialising in the interplay between history and folklore, with an emphasis on the Folklore and Ghosts of Shropshire.
Ann Morgan's story highlights the importance of honouring historical legacies in folkloric narratives. I believe it's time for the woman behind the witch to be remembered. Let's celebrate her for all of her intricacies.
New stock now up online -
👉 'Peasant' - the new Weird Walk music zine.
👉 Angeline Morrison - 'The Sorrow Songs' - Green vinyl re-issue.
👉 Anne Briggs - Records Store Day 2024 limited edition re-issue + 7-inch EP.
Plus:
👉 Dave Evans great lost folk LP from 1972 - 'Elephantasia'.