INTRODUCTION TO CELTIC CULTURE
All culture developed originally from the people's relationship with
the particular land they live on. Today, culture is as important as it
ever was, for it gives us an expression of being which is in harmony
with the land, other people of like mind and the forces of the natural
world. Culture is a way of life; there is still a thriving cultural
tradition within the Gaidhealtachd, although like other Celtic
'fringes' it has become rather marginalised in its forms of expression -
musical, linguistic, and so on.
The social structure of Bronze Age Celtic society was highly developed.
It was, nevertheless, a tribal society, bonded together by an
all-encompassing system of laws and social customs, known as the Brehon
Laws, which lasted intact for centuries.
FAMILY - the extended family ('fine' or 'clann') was the basic social
unit, consisting of several generations of descendants from one
ancestor. When several families settled in a particular territory they
formed a 'tuath', ruled over by a chieftain or a petty king. There were
about 150 tuatha, or kingdoms, in ancient Ireland.
KINSHIP - The kinship group, and not the individual, was all important
under Brehon law. The kinship group was responsible for the actions of
all its members. 'Eric fine' had to be paid by the whole family on
behalf of any transgressors of the law. Kinship also ensured a right to
shares in any family inheritance (known as 'derbhfine').
HEARTH - The hearth was of central importance in Celtic society, and
its foundation was the contract of handfasting. Within the hearth the
woman's authority was absolute. The hearth was the centre of much
activity, where many traditional crafts were carried out; it also
provided warmth and nourishment, it was a gathering place for
storytelling and music, and it had to be an open place of hospitality to
all.
HOSPITALITY - A very important aspect of Celtic life. Both the hosts
and the guests were expected to observe certain social customs. THE HOSTS
had to provide food, drink, a warm bed if possible, and entertainment.
They had to give the very best they had; not to do so was a gross
insult. Once the guests had partaken of the hearth's hospitality, the
hosts were obliged to refrain from any violence or quarrelling with
them, for the guests were under the protection of the dun from then on.
THE GUESTS would be expected to make an offering to the hearth of
cakes, bread, wine etc. according to their ability. They must show respect to
the hosts and not cause quarrels, fights or disruptions during their
stay. They would normally be expected to sing a song, play a tune, or
tell a tale.
BREHON LAWS - The Brehon laws were responsible for regulating a large
part of social life even in ways that would fall outside the legal
system of today. The laws set out codes of behaviour that all members
of a blood family had to adhere to. Within Celtic society there existed a
clearly defined system of rank or caste (which was transient) - serfs/
peasants; freemen/craftsmen; warriors; nobles; kings and priesthood.
The Brehons, or judges, were of the Druid priesthood caste. If they made
ill-judgements they were expected to forfeit their fee and pay damage
costs. Codes of behaviour and levels of responsibility were laid down
in the laws for each caste. The higher ranks had the most restrictions
placed on them.
STATUS - This was largely determined by the ownership of cattle (there
was no concept of land ownership in early Celtic society). Leases of
livestock were granted to the tribe by the nobility in return for
loyalty.
HONOUR PRICE - A strange mutual dependence existed between nobles and
their clients. The status of a nobleman depended on the number of
clients he leased cattle to. The client, however, gave up any status in
law except through his creditor. Hence, creditors gave legal protection
to their clients (known as their 'honour price'). Honour prices were
central to the operation of the Brehon laws, and clients would seek out
creditors with the highest status, to gain the highest honour price.
TUATH - Beyond a family member's particular tuath, or tribal land, they
could not normally be guaranteed legal protection, unless formerly
agreed between tuatha.
KINGSHIP - The king was the key element of the social structure. He was
responsible for harmony between the tribe and the land, and also for
the prosperity of the tribe. He had to be generous; if he was niggardly he
would suffer the poet's satire (a formidable weapon in Celtic society)
and have his kingship taken from him. The king was responsible for the
redistribution of wealth in his kingdom, by means of banquets and
donating gifts.
FAIRS, FESTIVALS AND BANQUETS - These were important occasions which
brought together all strata of society. Participation in the
festivities was compulsory! (Not to enjoy the life you had been given was an
insult). Guests were seated according to rank. The "champion's portion"
was awarded to the warrior who showed the greatest courage. To hold a
good banquet was to gain much prestige. It was important to invite the
'aes dana' (people of the arts - bards, musicians, etc. ) Songs were
sung, legends retold, and clan genealogies recited. Also, at festivals,
settlements and judgements of legal cases were made, and handfasting
contracts signed. However, no enmity must exist, no debt must be
collected and no weapon must be lifted.
A way of life that survived for centuries in these isles is rapidly
being lost before a torrent of mass consumerism, and an individualistic
society, where 'dog eat dog' is the rule, and where the power of the
State is so great that it shapes your very thoughts and life-style. We
would like to think there is an alternative to all this, that the old
values of clan and family can still be followed. We have much to learn
from our Celtic ancestors, and keeping alive our culture and social
customs is one very important aspect of this.