Celebrating the Celtic Nations!

CELEBRATINGthe

CELTIC NATIONS

Hendricks Avenue ElementaryCultural Arts Week 2010

Hendr i cks Avenue Cu l tu ra l A r t s

Week 2010

Music By: Sting & The Chieftains, Mo Ghile Mear

The Celts were a proud and honorable people.

They were ski l led art isans and fi erce warr iors.

They loved music. They loved to boast. And they loved to tel l stor ies .

Their culture lives on today in music, story, song, and dance.

Get ready for a grand d iscovery as we Celebrate the v ibrant cu l ture of the Cel t ic

Nat ions!  

What is a “Civilization”?

A “Civi l ization” is a group of people that share common language, some

form of writ ing, advanced technology & science and systems of government.

The Celts were a large and widespread civil ization in

ancient Europe.

As many as 15 diff erent Celtic groups made up the Ancient

Celtic Civil ization.

When did the Ancient Celts Live?

The Cel ts were tr ibes of people who l ived a l l over Europe about 2,000 years ago

Around 500 BC, the ancient Cel ts migrated and fi nal ly sett led in Western Europe

T h e C e l t i c N a t i o n s o f To d ay

•Scotland•Ireland

•Isle of Man•Wales

•Cornwall {Britain}•Brittany {France}

The Celtic Nations of Today

Who were the Celts?

The early Celts didn't leave books behind because they didn't read and write - word of mouth and memory were the Celts' way of

recording events.

The Greeks and Romans did write about the Celts. They tell us that the Celts lived in tribes,

they wore jewelry and loved battle.

We have learned most of what we know about the Celts through

found objects & structures which have survived over time

How the Celts Lived

The ClanClans were large extended family groups that lived and worked

together. Everyone in Celtic society belonged to a clan. Clans stuck together. Every member of a clan supported each

other. You were part of a clan for life. Clans went back many generations.The Fine

The smallest group in the Celtic Clan was the Fine. A fine is a family group that included grandparents and parents and their children, and would include aunts, uncles, cousins and

their children.

Celtic Communities were made up of Clans & Fines

The Cel ts were loya l to thei r  C lans & Fines

People of the Celtic Clan

Their Were 3 Types of People in each Clan

Nobles

FarmersArtisa

ns

Celtic Nobles

The Noble Men of the Clans were warriors. They spent most of their time training for the next battle. Noble men liked to play fighting

games, games of chance, and board games. They also conducted trade for

the Clan.

Noble Men wore thei r swords and daggers at a l l t imes, for decorat ion and

protect ion.

C e l t i c C l a n s w e r e l e a d b y K i n g s , Q u e e n s & C h i e f t a i n s

Celtic Nobles

A Celtic Noble woman could own property. She could choose her own husband.

Women could become warriors, but few chose to do so. Most women ran the household and

raised the children. Noble women spent a great deal of time on their

personal appearance, much of it weaving jewelry into their braids. 

Q u e e n B o u d i c a w a s k n o w n a s t h e B r a v e s t Q u e e n

Noble Women wore thei r th ick hai r in bra ids decorated with

beads.  

ArtisansA r t i s a n s w e r e H i g h l y R e s p e c t e d

A r t i s t s w e r e   A p p r e c i a t e d a n d E n c o u r a g e d

Celt ic Art i s fu l l o f Patterns, Sp i ra ls , An imals and Co lor

A r t i s a n s m a d e C o l o r f u l J e w e l r y , F a b r i c s , P o t t e r y , & I n s t r u m e n t s

3 Things that make a Bard...

BardsB a r d s w e r e W a n d e r i n g S i n g e r s ,

S t o r y t e l l e r s , a n d P o e t s

It was the Job of the Bards to Learn the Celts History, Stories and Legends & then Recite

them to the People!

P l a y i n g o f t h e H a r p

K n o w l e d g e o f A n c i e n t Fo l k l o r e

D e l i v e r y o f Po e t i c D r a m a

DruidsThe Dru ids were the Teachers , the Doctors ,

and the Lawyers in Ce l t i c Soc iety

The Druids had their own UniversitiesTo become a Druid, you had to Study with

the Druids for at Least Twenty Years!

The Celtic People went to the Druids for Everything

Druids were Members of a Clan like Everyone Else ~They were Highly

Respected

Celtic Farmers

The Men did the hunting, fishing, and the heavy labor on the farm.

The women gathered berries and other foods that could be harvested. They cooked, cleaned,

sewed, wove cloth, and made pottery.

C e l t i c F a r m e r s w e r e f r e e t o c o m e a n d g o a s t h e y p l e a s e d

T h e C e l t s i n v e n t e d a r e a p i n g m a c h i n e f o r h a r v e s t i n g t h e i r

c r o p s . T h e r e a p i n g m a c h i n e l e t t h e m h a r v e s t m u c h f a s t e r.

Celtic Children

From an early age, Celtic children were expected to help their parents in the home.

Girls were taught how to spin wool and weave cloth, make butter and cheese, cook and make simple

pottery.

Boys helped in the fields with the animals, and other farm work.

B o y s a n d G i r l s w e r e b o t h t a u g h t h o w t o u s e a S w o r d & S p e a r

The Nobles sent their children to the tribes Druid for education!

Celtic Clothing

Celtic men and women wore tunics. A man's tunic stopped at the knees. A woman's was floor length. They were both

loosely gathered at the waist with a belt. 

Men and women wore shawls over their tunics, wrapped loosely around their shoulders. Wool was used to make warm

pants and cloaks .

The Celts wore leather sandals and decorated themselves with arms bands, bracelets, neckbands, lots of rings and heavy

belts made of many different materials.

T h e a n c i e n t C e l t s l o v e d

C O L O RThe Celts used huge looms to weave richly dyed wool in

colorful patterns, later called Tartans.

Celtic Tartan

Tartan VS. PlaidTartan is a PatternPlaid is a Garment

"P la id" ac tua l l y comes f rom the Gae l i c word fo r B lanket

“P la ide”

The Celts often used a Wool Tartan Cloth or Blanket Gathered, Belted or Un-Belted & then Slung over the

Shoulder as Garments. This type of Dress has become known as the Kilt!

Tartan is a type of Pattern made of Woven Threads which Cross at r ight Angles Creat ing

Str ipes wi th Varying Widths and Colors

Celtic JewelryThe Celts loved jewelry. Ancient Celts made jewelry from many things, including animal horn and bone, feathers, stones, bronze and

beads. Both Celtic men and women were fond of wide necklaces made of bronze or iron that

were worn like a collar around the neck Called a Torc.

Today’s Celts still have a love for Jewelry. The Claddagh is a popular wedding Ring tradition for Brides and Grooms of Celtic descent.

t h e H e a r t f o r L o v e , t h e H a n d s f o r F r i e n d s h i p , a n d t h e C r o w n f o r

L o y a l t y

The Celtic HomeT h e C e l t s l i v e d i n S m a l l F a r m i n g

V i l l a g e sA Roundhouse was a big home made of stone, straw & mud.

The Celts did not have much furniture. They sat & slept on the floor using furs or mats!

The fire was the heart of the Roundhouse. It was in the middle of the home and was used to heat the

entire house. The fire was also the stove, where the Celts did all the cooking.

T h e F i r e W a s B u r n i n g 24 h r s a D a y

the Broch & the Hill Fort

The Ce l t s Bu i l t S tone o r Wooden For t s

Sur rounded by Ear th & Sea fo r P ro tec t ion f rom

Enemies

Iron Age Broch~ Mousa, ShetlandScotland

Iron Age Hill Fort~ Salisbury, England

The BrochBuilt Overlooking the SeaThey were Usually 13 - 21 ft Tall Approx. 50 ft Wide on the InsideTheir Walls were about 10 ft Thick

Hill FortsBuilt on Hill TopsFortified by High

Sloping Earth Walls Surrounded By

Ditches

Celtic Language

Only Six forms of the Celtic Language have Survived

The Ear l iest Cel t ic Groups a l l Spoke S l ight ly Diff erent forms of Cel t ic

Language

Scottish Gaelic ~ Scotland“Sgoil” Irish Gaelic ~ Ireland

“Scoil”

Welsh ~ Wales“Ysgol” Manx ~ Isle of Man

“Scoill”Cornish ~ Cornwall

“Scol” Breton ~ Brittany“Skol”

Say “School” in Celtic!

Iron Age CeltsThe Celts were Skilled Metalworkers. Iron Ore was Plentiful During the Ancient Celts

Time.They Used this Iron to Make Many Things!

The Celts Invented Chain Mail Chain Mail is a Type of Armor

Made of Thousands of Connected Metal Rings

•Chariot Wheels

•Horse Shoes

•Farming Tools

•Weapons

•Jewelry

•Mining Tools

Celtic MusicMusic was very Important to the Ancient Celts. Each

night, as they sat around the Campfire, they Sang Songs & Played Music on Instruments They Made.

C e l t i c I n s t r u m e n t s   i n c l u d e d F l u t e s , W h i s t l e s , B a g p i p e s , t h e C e l t i c H a r p , a d r u m c a l l e d t h e

“B o d h r a n” a n d t h e Fi d d l e .

The tradition of Celtic Music has Endured and it’s Influence can be seen in Many types of Today’s

Music !Folk

The Clancy Brothers

Soft RockBee Gees

Pop RockU2

PunkThe Pogues

Celtic RockFlogging Molly

Classic RockVan Morrison

AlternativeThe Cranberries

Hip HopHouse of Pain

Celtic Folklore

T h e C e l t s L o v e t o Te l l S t o r i e s !

Stories Run Deep in Every Celt ic Home

Weather it ’s a Tale of Events or “Mythical” Fair ies, the Yarn is

Woven Well!

You have You r K ings & Queens o f O ld , B rave Warr i o r s Man and Woman a l i ke , G ian ts and Dragons ,

Lep rechauns & Fa i r i e s , the Wee fo l k & the Good fo l k , the How l ing Banshees & Mons te r s i n the Lake . The S to r ie s have been and w i l l be Eve rmore . Take

the T ime to D i scove r Ce l t i c S to r i es , V i s i t you r Loca l San Marco L ib ra ry !

( A C e l t i c B o o k L i s t i s Av a i l a b l e )

Today’s Celtic Nations!

Flags, Facts & Fun Stuff!!

Each Celtic Nation has it’s own Unique

Culture and Traditions worth

CelebratingDiscover the Modern Celt ic Culture

of I r e l a n d , S c o t l a n d , W a l e s , I s l e

o f M a n , C o r n w a l l & B r i t t a n y

Ireland

Irish FlagGreen for Catholics

Orange for ProtestantsWhite for Peace Between them

Kiss the Blarney Stone & Get the Gift of the Gab!

The Capital City is Dublin

The Shamrock is a Symbol of Ireland

Ireland has Two official Languages English & Gaelic (Irish)

Ireland usually has 200 Rainy Days a Year!

Irish Wolfhound is

the Tallest Dog Breed

Gaelic Football is the Most Popular Sport in Ireland

Scotland

Flag of Scotland

Saint Andrew's Cross or The

Saltire

Scotland's Capitol is Edinburgh

Scotland is Part of

the United Kingdom of Great

Britain

The Thistle is a Symbol of Scotland

Scotland has over 790 islands!

“Golf” Began in Scotland

Monster or Myth?

Scottish Terriers Originated in the

Highlands of Scotland

The Famous Welsh Corgi!

WalesThe People of Wales are known as “Welsh”The Capital of Wales is Cardiff

The People of Wales Speak

English & Welsh

The Welsh word for Wales is “Cymru”

Rugby is the

National Sport of

Wales

Flag of WalesRed Dragon of Cadwaladr

“Tudor” Colors Green & White

Daffodil is the Flower of

Wales

Isle of Man

The Capital is Douglas

Manx Gaelic is their Native Language

The People of The Isle of Man are Know

as “Manx”

“Whithersoever you Throw it, It will Stand”

Isle of man T.T. Race is Know World

Wide

Isle of Man Flag “Triskelion” Made of Three Armored Legs with Golden

Spurs. “The Legs of

Man”

The Tail Less Manx Cat!

Celtic “Triskelion”

Spiral Pattern

CornwallCountry Motto “Onen hag oll “ (Cornish) Means: “One and all”

Flag of CornwallSaint Piran’s Cross Piran is the Patron Saint of Tin-Miners

It is Believed He Discovered a “White

Metal in the Black Ashe of Fire!”

The People of Cornwall are

Know as “Cornish”

Surfing is a Favorite Pastime in

Cornwall!

Truro is the Only City in

Cornwall

Cornwall is a Peninsula, Just like

Florida!

“Cornish” is an Ancient Celtic

Language

“Piskies” &

“Knockers”

The Wee Good

People of Cornish Folklore

BrittanyBrittany is called “Breizh” in the

Breton Language. Breton is a Celtic Language Similar to

Welsh and Cornish

Flag of BrittanyGwenn-ha-du

Means White & Black in Breton

Brittany has it’s

own Spaniel!

Sailing is Brittany’s Favorite Water Sport

Brittany’s CARNAC

Megaliths are over

1 Mile Long

The Capital City is RennesBrittany is

Known as the “Bretagne Region” of

France

The Crêpe Originated in Brittany

Thank You!I hope you have Enjoyed your

Celtic Experience!

Rebecca KnealeCultural Arts PTA Chair

Did you Pay Close Attention?! The Answers to the Celtic Nations Quiz can all be Found in

this Presentation! Do your Best & You could WIN $50.00

Sources• Life of the Ancient Celts By: Hazel Richardson• What do we know about the Celts? By: Hazel Mary

Martell• Step into the Celtic World By: Fiona Macdonald• Ireland, A Primary Source Guide By: Elizabeth Rose• A Visit to Scotland By: Chris Oxlade & Anita Ganeri• A Visit to Wales By: Chris Oxlade & Anita Ganeri• Discovering Great Britain By: Philip Steele• Facts About Countries, France By: Celia Tidmarsh• mrdonn.org, Iron Age Celts for Kids• BBC Wales Education – Iron Age Celts• Wikipedia • Clip art, Phillip Martin

Thank You!