Folklore: Magical practices in white Australia

Subject: Folklore: Magical practices in white Australia
From: Jack Campin
Date: 16 Mar 12 - 05:52 AM

This is interesting. Australian settlers, well into the 20th century, using children's clothing as protective magic:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-16801512

Subject: RE: Folklore: Magical practices in white Australia
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 16 Mar 12 - 08:44 AM

very interesting - especially the Deliberately Concealed Garments Project website

thanks for posting the story, Jack

sandra

Subject: RE: Folklore: Magical practices in white Australia
From: Jack Campin
Date: 16 Mar 12 - 09:28 AM

What it reminded me of was the collection of magical charms collected around London and on display recently at the Wellcome Institute:

Edward Lovett's amulet collection

Since more settlers came from London than anywhere else this seems to be part of the same tradition.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Magical practices in white Australia
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 16 Mar 12 - 10:00 AM

wow

Subject: RE: Folklore: Magical practices in white Australia
From: Paul Burke
Date: 16 Mar 12 - 08:33 PM

They certainly took the practice with them. My sister worked for museums in Lancashire till a few years ago. They had a huge collection of objects found in houses in the Blackburn/ Burnley/ Clitheroe area. And a few years ago one of my neighbours found a shoe and a mummified cat in a chimney of the house they were renewing.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Magical practices in white Australia
From: JennieG
Date: 16 Mar 12 - 10:27 PM

Last year an old building in my town (country town in Oz) was renovated - it was built in the 1870s and, in its life, had been a private home and an inn, the Square Man. During the renovation a pair of old boots was found, and they are now on display inside the building.

Cheers
JennieG