Notes from the Rotary Meeting 12.30pm Thursday, October 17, 2024

President Jackie chaired the meeting.  Judy Dunn, mother of Rotarian Peggy was introduced and welcomed

The Toonie Quest West 50-50 weekly draw had a winner this week 

 

Program-chair Olaf introduced the guest speaker Dr Kari Sawden, a Teaching Assistant Professor in the Social/Cultural Studies program at Grenfell Campus, Memorial University. She is a folklorist whose work is centred on exploring the presence and value of the supernatural in all aspects of life in contemporary Canadian societies, including life in Newfoundland and Labrador. Additionally, she examines the ways in which folklore which focuses on belief and the supernatural are utilised within different forms of storytelling including movies and television.
  Kari began by talking about the supernatural in Newfoundland folklore. She referred to the background of Newfoundlanders with most people originating from south-western England with the fishery and later from Ireland. They brought with them the superstitions of their homeland.

She talked in detail about a worldwide belief which also is believed here about the Old Hag. 

In case you have not heard of this phenomenon.  The Old Hag is a witch-like, wrinkled, and withered old woman with long hair. She can appear in doorways, be next to the bed, or even crawl on top of people and sit on them or pin them down. There is a scientific explanation of this sleep paralysis which often can happen when someone is just falling asleep or just waking up. The sleeper feels someone is in the room and the sleeper is unable to move and is filled with fear. People can take preventative measures which can include sleeping with a knife under the pillow or sleeping with boards on their chest. 

 Kari went on by explaining that this tale turned into the belief of witches. Witch lore stemed from the British tradition whilst the Irish traditions led into the belief of fairies.

 She went on to give examples of how people can be protected from fairies such as ringing a bell, have bread in your pockets or wear your clothes inside out.  She noted fairies do not like disorder. She then spoke about changelings when a child is replaced by a fairy child.

 Kari ended her talk by telling a couple of stories before answering questions.

 Jackie thanked Kari on behalf of the club then the meeting adjourned.