Scottish Waulking Song



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Waulking is a process used by women in the Hebrides Islands off Scotland to shrink and thicken their tweed cloth. While rhythmically pounding the wet wool on the table they keep time, as well as entertain themselves, by singing songs of satire, love, sorrow, joy, and humor. Sung in Gaelic, one woman begins each verse, setting the pace of the waulking as the others join in. Bannal is a group of women continuing the tradition of waulking songs.

Appears in these articles:

Celtic Languages; Hebrides; Gaelic Literature

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