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In this recording, Alasdair Boyd talks to Calum Iain McLean about death and burial customs in South Uist.
In this part of the recording, we will hear how people would prepare for the funeral.
a’ tuiream
keening
air am piocadh
picked (selected)
crò-leapa
bier
spèicean
poles, spikes for pulling the bier/coffin
This is the order in which the practices would occur.
Bhiodh a’ chiste a’ dol a-steach dhan taigh
The coffin would go into the house
Bhiodh am pìobaire a’ tòiseachadh
The piper would start playing
Bhite a’ cur an duine anns a’ chiste
The person would be placed in the coffin
Bhiodh iad a’ cur na ciste air a’ chrò-leapa
They would put the coffin on the bier
Rachadh iad deiseil air an taigh
They would go clockwise, sunwise round the house