CORNISH-L Archives
Archiver > CORNISH > 1998-12 > 0913034743
From: <>
Subject: Re: Christmas Customs - #3 - M.A.Courtney, Thursa, Kiss-in-the-ring
Date: Mon, 7 Dec 1998 07:45:43 EST
In a message dated 06/12/98 01:01:51 GMT, Elizabeth Agar wrote:
<< At about seven o'clock the older
part of the town began to congregate, and about a quarter past seven they
began to play 'Thursa'. This game is too well known to need description,
and I need only say that it was played about one hour, when they began to
form a ring with the intention, I supposed, of playing that best of games,
'Kiss-in-the-Ring' " -(Cornishman, 1881)
[How tantalising! - does anyone know what Thursa is, or the rules for the
last game above?] >>
I have never heard the word "thursa" but "kiss-in-the-ring" still existed in
my Cornish childhood in the 1930s. I am a bit surprised that it was a
Christmas game: it featured at village fetes (feast days) held in the summer
and played outside. A large ring was formed, people holding hands. A lady was
selected to start the proceedings by walking round the ring and touching the
shoulder of the man of her choice; she then ran round the ring until he
caught and kissed her, whereupon there were cheers. She returned to the ring,
and the man then rejoined the ring by kissing the girl of his choice. It was
then her turn to repeat the ritual. It requires little imagination to see how
participants might select the same person in the hope of dating. (No discos
and not many dances in those days!)
I have recollections of my grandparents and parents discussing afterwards who
was chasing who! How life has changed!
Bill Stephens CFHS 7217, SOG 20357
Researching STEPHENS, COX, RUNDLE, BECKLEY, CON. USA. CANADA
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