It used to be a common sight to see bands of about a dozen men and youths wearing masks and 'falsefaces' and dressed in the most extraordinary fashions, roaming the countryside in the evenings before Christmas. These were the Christmas Rhymers, common enough in many parts of Ireland years ago.
The Rhymers were common in Britain and the Continent. In places they were also known as 'Mummers' from the German word 'mumme', meaning a mask.
The custom goes back to the 13th century. The plot is a very old one and variations of it occur in different parts of the country.
The original plot seems to have had a religious background. The story of St. George fighting the infidel Turkish champion and being restored to life after he is slain, is believed to be suggestive of the Resurrection.
From memory, I will try to recall the rhymes and the rhymers as performed in the East Antrim area.
As well as providing good boisterous fun, there was usually a fund-raising effort of a charitable nature as well. It was customary to collect for one or two elderly or handicapped people in need, to supply them with a few bags of coal, or a hamper of groceries to help them over Christmas. If anything was left over, the rhymers would organise a dance or social.
Some troupes of rhymers took much care in their dressing and make-up, but others were not so particular. The dominant outer covering was an old worn shirt, or an Indian meal-bag with holes cut for the head and arms.
Some wore masks, whilst others just blackened their faces with soot. The trouser legs were bound with ropes made from straw. Many favoured conical headgear made from a roll of cardboard, be-ribboned with an abundance of gaily coloured paper streamers.
The 'doctor' was attired in an old frock coat, and he wore either a bowler or a top hat. The usual 'doctor's bag' was also carried.
Jack Straw, as the name suggests, used plenty of straw in his dress, while the Devil, or Be-elzebub, could wear anything - the more fearsome, the better, and he often carried an old brush.
Johnny Funny was usually the smallest member of the party and carried a collection box, which he rattled under the nose of anyone likely to part with a coin.
Every parish had its own troupe of local lads. There were rhymers from Carncastle, Killyglen, Kilwaughter, Ballyboley, Mounthill and Raloo among others.
Sometimes two groups from different areas met and then there were fun and games it was a race to see who could get to the best houses first. I can remember two different sets arriving in our kitchen within an hour of each other.
The boys covered a good mileage and knew all the short-cuts through the fields, but sometimes they failed to negotiate a 'sheugh', with the result that many a kitchen floor had to be washed after their visit.
The play started with a bang on the door, which was pushed open and the first character appeared. He was called 'Room Room' from the first two words of his speech.