Hop-tu-Naa

When I was growing up on the Isle of Man, we children always celebrated Hop-tu-Naa on the 31st October. I’ve always assumed that it was simply a Manx version of Halloween. There are a lot of similarities – although the Manx custom of carving turnips into lanterns I’ve always thought to be far superior to the pumpkin (it takes more effort, so the sense of achievement is greater). But it turns out that the two festivals are unconnected. You’re never too old to learn something new…