1. Choose the master of ceremonies.This is typically a newfoundlander as you would normally have your family and friends gathered around to watch the ceremony. And unless you just wanted to be a newfie because you think it's awesome ( and your right! ) you would have newfoundland relatives close by. If there are no newfies around just choose a person who likes to hear their own voice. The master of ceremonies is responsible for reading the instructions and making sure the steps are followed correctly.
2. Preparing the screech. Screech is a type of rum specific to Newfoundland. Choose your favourite and pour it into a shot glass. You can have it mixed or not. That's up to you!
3. Kissing the cod. Yes, it's exactly what you think it is. You now have to kiss a fish, but not just any fish. A cod fish. This represents the goodbye to those you sailed away from to get the rum. Dont worry, the fish doesn't mind getting a bit of love.
4. Receiting the screechers creed. If you need some translations, check out my What Did He Say? post.
Everyone: "From the waters of the Avalon, to the shores of Labrador,
We've always stuck together, with a Rant and with a Roar.
To those who've never been, soon they'll understand,
From coast to coast, we raise a toast, We love thee Newfoundland!"
We've always stuck together, with a Rant and with a Roar.
To those who've never been, soon they'll understand,
From coast to coast, we raise a toast, We love thee Newfoundland!"
Master of Ceremonies - ask your audience: "Is ye a Screecher?"
Audience Replies:"Deed I is me old cock, and long may your big jib draw!"
Audience Replies:"Deed I is me old cock, and long may your big jib draw!"
5. Drink the screech rum! Now you get to taste the famous Newfoundland screech. Ready? Go!
6. Fill out this certificate by clicking on the link below.
http://www.screechrum.com/ScreechInCertificate.pdf
Or if you want a slightly more detailed version of this tradtion check out the following link. It's where I found the screechers creed.
http://www.screechrum.com/screechin
Does this type of ceremony still go on? It kind of sounds like a truth or dare game gone crazy... except now you're a newfie. Interesting!!
ReplyDeleteThe Newfie's seem to have a very strong sense of their culture and heritage separate from Canada. It's cool how it's like a completely different place. Same question as Ashley, if I show up tomorrow and tell them i've come to drink the screech am I going to be made a Newfie or judged harshly and deemed insane?
ReplyDeleteYou're only "made" a newfie if you want to. And it's usually because you have newfie relatives, though im sure if you wanted to, you could do it anyway. And just because you drink newfie screech doesn't mean your a newfie.
ReplyDeleteHAHA, that's awesome! will they talk me through it? I also loved how you said "the fish wont mind getting some love" that made me laugh! Good job :)
ReplyDelete