“Fili meant ‘seer’, so it is not beyond the realms of possibility that part of their role revolved around the foretelling of the future. In fact, originally the Fili may have served many functions, such as sorcerer, judge, keeper of law, chieftain’s adviser as well as poet and storyteller.
At some point, these responsibilities seem to have been divided, with the Brehons specialising in the legal aspects, the Druids taking on the religion and ritual, and the Fili concentrating on history and poetry.“ #Celtic
Source: https://aliisaac.substack.com/
The Seanchai was a traditional #Irish storyteller. They memorised and recited epic stories and poems from Irish mythology for the enjoyment of their audiences.` #Celtic
„In pre-Christian #Ireland, there were two types of poet; the elite class of the Fili, and the lesser caste of the Bard.
They normally served a clan chieftain, keeping all their clan’s lore and history, and were highly respected. Some belonged to a community, and served at community ceremonies and events, while others belonged to no particular area or lord, but traveled, offering their skills in return for board and lodging.“ #Celtic
Source: Ali Isaac | Substack
„The chief Fili in each province was known as the Ollamh (pronounced Ollav), which means ‘most great’, and would have been equal in status to the provincial King. Over all, presided the Ollamh Eirean, who was ranked equal to the Ard Ri, or High King of Ireland, so there was plenty of scope for promotion.
The advent of Christianity, however, put quite a strain on the Kings’ resources, as not only did they have to provide lands, titles and funding to the Fili, but also to the bishops.
In the 6th century, the decision was taken to limit the number of Fili purely to those families where the position of the poet was seen as a birth right. This was the beginning of the end for this role in Irish society, and much lore was lost.“ #Celtic
Source: Ali Isaac | Substack
#Celtic#FolkloreThursday: How did the storytellers of the #IronAge learn about the prehistory of #Ireland? #Fintan mac Bochra could tell them all about it, because he lived for at least 5000 years after the Deluge well into the time of #Fionn Mac Cumhaill, becoming the repository of all knowledge of #Ireland and all history.
#Celtic#FolkloreThursday: #Ogma mac Elathan, son of Delbaeth, is according to #Irish tradition the inventor of the #Ogham script. This Son of Art was not only extremely famous in the art of speech and poetry, but also an athletic trénḟer, a power man. In the battle of #MagTuired he fought on the side of the #TuathaDéDanann against #Bres and his #Fomorians.
Source: Helmut Birkhan Die #Kelten