The White Boys will be out-and-about across the Island from this morning
A series of photographs celebrating a 200-year-old Manx tradition has been released online.
The White Boys play (Ny Guillyn Baney) has been seen as a key part of the Christmas period here on the Island since at least the 1830s.
Commissioned by Culture Vannin, the new photographs available on the charity's website were captured last year by Brook Wassall.
In recent years, the tradition has taken on a new lease of life, experiencing unprecedented growth in popularity.
This year's edition gets underway this morning in Port St Mary outside the Co-op, and in Castletown Square, at 10am.
- 10am Port St Mary, outside the Co-op (Southern Whiteboys)
- 10am Castletown Square (Peel White Boys)
- 10.45am Port Erin, by the Whistlestop Cafe, Port Erin Railway Station (Southern Whiteboys)
- 11am Ramsey, outside the Courthouse (Peel White Boys)
- 11.30am Colby, by the Spar / Colby Glen Hotel (Southern Whiteboys)
- 12pm Peel, Michael Street (Peel White Boys)
- 12.15pm Castletown Square (Southern Whiteboys)
- 1.30pm Peel, Michael Street (Southern Whiteboys)
- 4pm Peel, Black Dog Pizza, East Quay (Peel White Boys)
Named for their unusual costumes, the White Boys performances boast sword-fighting saints in white costumes covered in colourful ribbons, with a strange doctor who revives the dead to sing and dance.
James Franklin, Online & Educational Resources Officer at Culture Vannin, says: "The White Boys is one of the most riotously joyous Manx traditions, and today it is going from strength to strength as ever-growing audiences come to enjoy them.
"Brook’s photographs beautifully encapsulate both the anarchic joy of the performance, and the community spirit which runs right through the tradition’s heart."
Dr Chloe Woolley, Manx Music Development Officer for Culture Vannin, added: "This is a tradition which allows people to come together as communities and connect, not just as spectators, but with the passing seasons, the traditions of our Island, and our own sense of identity as people who call this place our home.
"Brook’s beautiful images communicate this perfectly and we hope that it will inspire others to engage with both the White Boys and the wider Manx cultural offering this year!"
You can find the photos HERE and you can find out more about the White Boys HERE.
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