Name

The Hop-tu-Naa Lantern

Description

Forget Halloween — Hop-tu-Naa is older.

The last night of October was the Manx New Year’s Eve, the night when the old year died and the dead walked abroad. Bonfires burned on the hills. Children carried turnip lanterns from house to house, singing the Hop-tu-Naa song.

Not pumpkins — turnips. Carving a turnip is harder work than a pumpkin, which is part of the point.

This activity guides you through making a traditional Hop-tu-Naa lantern from a turnip (or a swede if you can’t find a big enough turnip), with the words of the song to learn.

Best done in late October, obviously — but there’s nothing stopping you practising in July.

Key Stage / Type

Family Activity

Ages 4+

Creative / Seasonal

Period

Enduring

Topic

Folklore & Traditions