Tristan : Tristan Celebrates Old Year's Night
Submitted by Tristan Times (Sarah Glass) 01.01.2011 (Article Archived on 15.01.2011)

Old Year’s Night (New Year's Eve on Tristan) is a unique event on Tristan, with a drinks party hosted by the Administrator on the lawns of The Residency if the weather allows.

Tristan Celebrates Old Year's Night 

Old Year’s Night (New Year's Eve on Tristan) is a unique event on Tristan, with a drinks party hosted by the Administrator on the lawns of The Residency if the weather allows.  However this year the rain belted down from late afternoon, although it did not dampen the spirits of those getting dressed up (called ‘Okalolies’ by the islanders) for the occasion.  The young men wearing masks and gloves to disguise their faces and hands paraded around the village in the afternoon scaring the young girls, dogs and children.  Before coming to the Administrators Residency at 7pm.  This year they went an extra mile and dressed a donkey to wish Mr & Mrs Burns and the Chief Islander and Dilly’s a Happy New.

Remarkably, all islanders who braved the weather manage to find space in the residency, where excellent food and drinks were served.  The Administrator gave a speech covering what had happen during 2010, and is covered separately.  The party then continued to the school hall for the Chief Islander’s reception, as it was not possible to have it at his home, due to the weather.  Again excellent food and drinks were served and the donkey with a little help from his friends, made his appearance in the main hall, much to the amusement of the guests.

The Chief Islander welcome all, especially those who made the effort to get dressed up, and thanked all those in the various Government departments for their contributions during 2010, he emphasized that there were tough times ahead, but he was confident that we would come through it, by working together.

The night continued with islanders going in groups for braai’s, before hitting the dong and ringing the church bells at midnight.