Are you REALLY Celtic?

[slohairt]

Whenever I read or hear about things that claim to physically determine one as a Celt, I mull about what it to be Celtic in the 21st Century.

The Celts were/are defined as a ethno-linguistic group with an attendant culture. I imagine this would describe most cultural groups, really. Physicality meant little to them and so it should mean little to us. Though most of the posters/members here are North American-born and claim a "Heinz 57" lineage, those of us born in the "old countries" can also claim a similar mixed origin, though likely not quite as diverse. I, myself, was born in Ireland, have a Scottish-born grandmother, and therefore probably have the "blood" of every group who resided in Ireland and Great Britain.

Yes, I am tall. Yes, I am pale and burn in the sun. Yes, I have reddish-brown hair. Yes, I have the toe requirements. But many in my family do not. In fact, most are dark-haired and a bit swarthy. My father is often mistaken for being of a Mediterranean origin! (Until they hear him speak of course!)

The Anglicisation (and therefore disintegration) of Celtic culture was almost completed by the turn of the 20th Century. The near-death of the Celtic languages has struck a very serious blow to the integrity of these cultures. Once the languages and cultural practices are gone, so too will the Celts disappear. It is possible that some may die within our lifetime.

Perhaps I am off-base, but I sometimes feel we are clutching at anything when we bring up genetics and physical traits. Culture meant more to them and should mean more to us.

[BoldHighlander]

Whenever I read or hear about things that claim to physically determine one as a Celt, I mull about what it to be Celtic in the 21st Century.

<snip>

The Anglicisation (and therefore disintegration) of Celtic culture was almost completed by the turn of the 20th Century. The near-death of the Celtic languages has struck a very serious blow to the integrity of these cultures. Once the languages and cultural practices are gone, so too will the Celts disappear. It is possible that some may die within our lifetime.

Perhaps I am off-base, but I sometimes feel we are clutching at anything when we bring up genetics and physical traits. Culture meant more to them and should mean more to us.

Very well said sir!
It does mean more to me than one's toe being longer than the other, or if I have reddish hair roots or not.

I have noticed in recent times a resurgence in the learning & practice of the Celtic/Gaelic language, both locally and elsewhere, in an attempt to both preserve it for future generations & as a way to connect with ones ancestral past.

Here in Washington state, for instance we have Slighe nan Gaidheal:
http://www.slighe.com/
a non-profit educational society that teaches and promotes the Scottish Gaelic language and culture in the Pacific Northwest.
As matter of fact I just attended the first (of what is hoped to be many) Scottish Gaelic study group in my town of Bellingham (which I helped to organize incidentally), & which also includes the current board president of Slighe nan Gaidheal.

As an aside, we also have a punk band out of Seattle called Mill a h-Uile Rud:
http://www.millahuilerud.com/
who sing entirely in Scottish Gaelic & promote the use of the language in daily life etc, (as much as can be done in everyday American life that is).

There are those of us trying to keep the language & culture alive in many ways, rather it be learning the Gaelic language, attending cultural events, playing the music, discovering and cooking the recipes & brewing the drinks, or wearing of the kilt etc etc., otherwise as you say it will die.
And that would be a shame for all!

[BoldHighlander]

Ha! No sooner than I post the above than the president of Slighe nan Gaidheal emails me an invite to join him in another Scottish cultural event (sport): shinty!

[BoldHighlander]

While on the subject of DNA, was watching a video I had recorded some little while back off of TLC about Vikings, and in the course of the show they were trying to figure out how wide spread the descendants of the Norse were in Britain, and a DNA project done in Scotland had shown that in Orkney, Shetland & the far north Scottish mainland that 60% of the male population had Viking DNA.

So if your ancestors are from these regions you maynot be as Celt as you think but maybe a son of Odin

As an aside, there is a rare genetic hand disease that appears amongst people either from Ireland /Scotland (well, Britain as a whole really), or those descended from them called Dupuytren's Contracture, which is a fixed flexion contracture of the hand where the fingers bend towards the palm and cannot be fully extended (straightened). Amongst those who have had this condition were Ronald Reagan & Margaret Thatcher. The thought is this was passed into the population by the Viking/Norse settlers.

[gilmore]

...
As an aside, there is a rare genetic hand disease that appears amongst people either from Ireland /Scotland (well, Britain as a whole really), or those descended from them called Dupuytren's Contracture, which is a fixed flexion contracture of the hand where the fingers bend towards the palm and cannot be fully extended (straightened). Amongst those who have had this condition were Ronald Reagan & Margaret Thatcher. The thought is this was passed into the population by the Viking/Norse settlers.

I know it well. I have it, as does my mother. It gets worse with age and with repetitive trauma, such as in carpenters who use hammers a lot.

As far as I know, there is no treatment other than an operation that is successful only half the time.

[Pleater]

My dad had that - as a musician I have always been afraid that I might develop it - but so far so good.

It can not only restrict the movement of the fingers but distort the palm of the hand, and creates holes and ridges.

[Fox]

While on the subject of DNA, was watching a video I had recorded some little while back off of TLC about Vikings, and in the course of the show they were trying to figure out how wide spread the descendants of the Norse were in Britain, and a DNA project done in Scotland had shown that in Orkney, Shetland & the far north Scottish mainland that 60% of the male population had Viking DNA.

So if your ancestors are from these regions you maynot be as Celt as you think but maybe a son of Odin

As an aside, there is a rare genetic hand disease that appears amongst people either from Ireland /Scotland (well, Britain as a whole really), or those descended from them called Dupuytren's Contracture, which is a fixed flexion contracture of the hand where the fingers bend towards the palm and cannot be fully extended (straightened). Amongst those who have had this condition were Ronald Reagan & Margaret Thatcher. The thought is this was passed into the population by the Viking/Norse settlers.

Yep, and same goes for the Irish.

[JakobT]

a DNA project done in Scotland had shown that in Orkney, Shetland & the far north Scottish mainland that 60% of the male population had Viking DNA.

So if your ancestors are from these regions you maynot be as Celt as you think but maybe a son of Odin

This is certainly true. As an aside, I can mention that being Norwegian, with no Celtic ancestors that I know of, I too have big and second toes of equal length.