Celtic connection

 

       The celestial bird couple, Bangoma and Bangomi, are enjoying a leisurely conversation. Sitting on a branch of the large and densely foliaged Tamarind tree, they have been talking happily for the past couple of minutes. There are innumerable small trees and shrubs too. But those were scattered here and there over a large area around that massive tree. And one can see a huge fortress made of stones and wood miles and miles away from that tree, towards the North.

     One has to cross this very large open land dotted with trees and shrubs. People fear crossing that vast open area named Tepantor. They fear the monsters and witches that reside there.

Bangoma asks Bangomi, “Will you tell me a new tale today?”

-- Today I’m going to share with you a Celtic connection.

- What’s that Celtic about?

-- Celtic-speaking people used to reside in England before the arrival of the English-speaking Anglo Saxons’. The subject of etymology reveals many interesting facts. Very few original words of Celtic, the native group of languages (Irish, Scottish, Gaelic, Welsh, etc.) of the then-English, have survived today in the modern English language. And there're ghosts in Celtic folk tales. 

- Okay, I got it. Are you going to tell a ghost story now? Before that, tell me. Out of all sorts of ghosts and spirits, which one is the most dreadful?

-- Boggarts, I believe are the most mysterious.

- Why do you say so?

-- You know Boggarts are mischievous household spirits. This formless, weird sort makes life miserable for those in whose houses one such strange ghost decides to reside. 

- What is so strange about these Boggarts?

-- The strangest thing is that it’s a shapeshifter. When anyone looks at it, it changes shape to become whatever that person fears the most. And as per the Scottish people, these are believed to be malicious too.

- Where do these eerie ghosts dwell?

-- I learned from others that, owing to its tendency to hide in quite small, dark, and enclosed spaces, a Boggart could be hiding in closets, under beds, or even in tree hollows. You know.

- What do you say, tree hollows? Are you up to scare me?

-- Oh, Bangoma, are you really scared of ghosts?

- Yes, I do. But tell me Bangomi, how do you know all these about Boggarts?

-- In the books of 'Harry Porter', Boggarts are discussed at length. Because of the shape-shifting ability, no one actually knows what a Boggart looks like. When someone is alone, as it changes shape instantly upon encountering someone, different people have different opinions about the shape of these weird ghosts. This intriguing attribute of an amazing shape-shifter is disclosed there only. You don’t read, it seems.

- Okay, you said that a Boggart’s natural form is fairly small. Now, why should someone get scared of a pretty small thing?

-- You made your mistake there. Boggarts are also called Bogey or Bogeyman, which were used in Celtic folklore. It is generally a household spirit that usually turns into a mischievous Goblin-like creature. This name, Boggart, is actually derived from Welsh and Celtic. You see, albeit these were originally small, the most surprising fact is that whenever we give them any importance, they turn huge. And the angry growls of the grotesque flesh-eating boggarts have allegedly been heard reverberating from the depths of the dark caverns beneath.

- Oh my God, that’s very scary indeed.

-- Yes, it's certainly very scary; there’s no doubt about it. The more importance you give it, the more conspicuous and larger it appears.

- Tell me. How can we get rid of these?

-- Yes, exactly; that’s the best part of our conversation today. I’m sure you want Boggarts to disappear before your eyes, and you feel relieved. Isn’t it? 

- Oh, yeah exactly, please tell me the way out.

-- Yes, it’s a sort of magic trick. To make a Boggart disappear, one must shout a spelling as funny as possible. Say, for example, ‘Rid-di-ye-ku-lush. It’s quite funny, isn’t it? The experts say that Boggarts are weakened by laughter. And within a few moments, the image of your greatest fear turns into something else—something amusing or silly.

- You mean each one of us should keep such a spelling ready to get rid of the Boggarts? 

-- Yes, of course, you’re right. So, what’s your Boggart spelling? Keep your funny spelling ready if you want to escape from these mischievous ghosts.

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