Annie Johnston (10 February 1886 - 6 March 1963) was a Gaelic folklorist who contributed a variety of songs and stories from her native Barra to song collections and scholarly works in the early and mid-20th century.[1] She was known for her expertise on waulking songs (òrain ruaidh),[2] as well as her contributions to Marjory Kennedy-Fraser's well-known collection Songs of the Hebrides.[1]
Annie Johnston | |
|---|---|
| Born | 10 February 1886 Isle of Barra, Scotland |
| Died | March 6, 1963 (aged 77) |
| Other names | Annag Aonghais Chaluim |
| Occupation | Schoolteacher |
Biography edit
Johnston (also called Annag Aonghais Chaluim) was born in Barra to Catherine McNeil and Angus Johnston, and was one of eight children.[1] She remained in Barra for her entire life and became a schoolteacher, noted for her enthusiasm in passing on her knowledge of Gaelic traditions to the children she taught.[1][3]
Johnston introduced song collectors to the waulking song, a type of traditional Scottish Gaelic song traditionally sung by women while they treated homespun cloth by rhythmically beating it upon boards (known as waulking or fulling).[1] She performed many of the traditional songs she learned during her childhood in Barra, including over 40 songs recorded for Kennedy-Fraser,[3] and was known for her willingness to collaborate with and educate collectors who wished to record traditional songs.[1] Today her performances make up a valuable part of the collection of the University of Edinburgh's School of Scottish Studies.[3]
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f Ewan, Elizabeth; Pipes, Rose; Rendall, Jane; Reynolds, Siân, eds. (2017). The New Biographical Dictionary of Scottish Women (2nd ed.). Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press. p. 220. ISBN 9781474436298.
- ^ Wiseman, Andrew (22 July 2013). "Annie Johnston: A Barra Tradition Bearer". Calum MacLean Project.
- ^ a b c Campbell, John Lorne (14 March 1963). "Loss to Highland Folklore THE LATE MISS ANNIE JOHNSTON, BARRA". The Oban Times.