 Hi, my name is Mahala Brake and I grew up in Nain, Labrador, and now I'm living in St. John's. My mom is from Labrador and my dad is from Newfoundland. On January 6th each year in Nain, the whole town is very excited for the arrival of the Nellie Wheat. Nellie means heathen or non-believer. People got there outside in the middle of town to wait for the Nellie Wheat. They wear scary masks dressed in torn tethered clothing, animal skins, and furs. They come in from the sea ice to frighten the children and adults and also celebrate the new year. The first part of the night around four or five Nellie Wheats sit in front of everyone in chairs while the crowd sinks to them and the brass band plays behind them. They bring candy for the children which is handed out and thrown into the crowd. After the singing the brass band continues to play while everyone lines up, young and old to shake the hands of the Nellie Wheat. After the community gathering, the chase begins. People spread out and the excitement starts. You will see many different Nellie Wheats coming from all directions carrying big sticks and different objects to hit you with. Children and adults run around screaming with fear and laughter trying to escape the scary creatures. Nellie can run very fast. People can rarely escape them if they're chased. If you're good all year or you sing them a song in Inuktitut, they will shake your hand and walk away. Parents talk about Nellie Wheat all year long. They use the frightening nature of the Nellie Wheat to scare their children into behaving themselves all year long. They warn them that if they do not listen then Nellie could get them a January 6th. The children get scared and think twice about how they were acting. They visit inside people's houses as well and if kids sing a song then Nellie will get them treats. The teachers' children, the importance of learning their language. It is a truly unique tradition that is mostly unheard by anyone living outside of Nain and the Labrador Coast. It is still going strongly being celebrated each year. Mummering or jennying is additional custom which is still being practiced in many areas of Newfoundland today. A mummer is a mass performer who wears the skies while acting foolish and funny. Traditional mummering in Newfoundland involves people dressed in outrageous clothes parading from house to house during the Christmas season. The idea was to hide your identity. Men would dress up as women and women as men. Faces were covered, clothes stuffed and mittens were sometimes worn on feet. Voices would be disguised and the residents would be greeted at the door with any mummers let in. They would bring accordions and ugly sticks and there would be kidgy party, jokes and music complete with drinking and dancing. This lasted until the host guessed the mummer's identities or the food and drinks right now. The St. John's Mummer's Festival is helping to keep the tradition alive and celebrated each year. The festival started in 2009 and has taken place every year since during December. They have workshops where you can make your own ugly stick or hobby horse then attend the parade with a bunch of other mummers. You can have a wonderful time singing, dancing and making new friends. When we talk about our tradition in Labrador called Nelly Ignite, people in Newfoundland often say it's a bit similar to mummers in Newfoundland. Both are celebrated during the holiday seasons and have interesting characters who visit people in their houses. The Nelly seem to be a bit scarier with the chance of being chased and hit and the identity of them I never know. This tradition tends to be effective with helping children stay in good behavior. Both are keeping their traditional music alive by having it performed in their own ways. I'm proud to have both as part of my culture and heritage.