An Laochmhír agus Céimíocht sa Sochaí Sinnsreachd
The Hero’s Portion and Status in Sinnsreachd Society
By Breandán Ó Ciarraí
© 2004
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ne of the most unusual aspects of Sinnsreachd social interaction is the hierarchal interplay between people of different ranks within a specific class. Ideally, Sinnsreachd is based around a very meritocratic society in which a person achieves rank through their capabilities and deeds, both within their professional caste and within our society as a whole. As a person earns honor and renown through their deeds and accomplishments, they likewise earn certain privileges that they protect very fiercely. Nowhere is this more profoundly and clearly illustrated than in the situation of the claiming of the laochmhír by warriors at a feast.The principles of this rite have changed much since the time of our ancestors, but to understand how we approach things today, one must understand how they were done in the ancient past. Laochmhír, the Hero’s Portion, also known as curadhmhír, is the finest cut of meat from whatever the main course is, be it boar, venison, beef, etc. It is tradition that the greatest laoch, or warrior, present has the right to cut the laochmhír for him or herself as an honoring of their deeds. On occasion, however, someone will challenge the claim. Such disputes involve a bragging contest in which each contender boasts of their deeds to prove their worth as the greatest laoch at the assembly. Often times, they will also satirize their opponent, pointing out the other contender’s failings in battle and lack of skill. Often, filí, poets and lorekeepers, will observe the contest and step in to point out any falsehoods in claims made by either claimant. Thus, though boastful, both contenders have to remain honest or lose oineach (enech in Old Irish), or “face”, another way of saying honour.
If such a boasting contest does not settle the matter (and it rarely does), the contenders then take to single combat right there in the feast hall, a ritual form of dueling called a róe. In ancient times, such combat was often fatal, with weapons being used to settle the dispute permanently. Today, however, such combat is bare-handed, and while one or both of the contenders will end up bloodied to a pulp and sometimes knocked unconscious, rarely are they seriously injured. Writing of the Gaul, the Greek historian Posidinius wrote a simple, if somewhat terse, description of this tradition that sums it up:
"When the hindquarters were served up, the bravest hero took the thigh piece, and if another man claimed it, they stood up and fought in single combat to the death."
The purpose of this duel is twofold. First, it is a vent for the aggression of the laochra to be able to test themselves against opponents like this. The younger warriors challenge the older veterans to test their skill against a hardened, proven opponent, and the more experienced laochra, often older, get to test their mettle against a younger, more vigorous opponent to prove they still have their edge. This may seem strange to outsiders, but within traditional Gaelic culture, warrior traditions are centered on ferocity, cunning, skill, courage, honor, and the ability to prove all of these at the drop of a hat.
Secondly, it is a medium through which the strict, disciplined hierarchy of the laochra is maintained. If a young laoch challenges a veteran and wins, he or she has then proven their capabilities as a laoch and are given greater respect. If the younger laoch loses, he or she has been rather firmly put back in his or her place, and will not likely overstep their bounds for some time. In days past, this was the quickest way that a warrior could rise in stature during peace time. By fighting in such duels, the younger warriors were able to test their mettle against seasoned opponents in single combat in full view of their peers and superiors. Thus, if they won, there would be no question about their abilities. With stature being of great importance to the laochra, such moves to better one’s position were a constant among our ancestors.
This meritocratic system is core to our culture. The laochra hierarchy is preserved by limiting the advancement of a laoch to those who prove their capabilities. The róe is but one way in which young, inexperienced warriors earn their place by honing their skills which they use in defense of their tuath. It is a microcosm of the overall meritocracy that is Sinnsreachd culture, in which those who put forth the effort and better themselves and their skills rise in rank, while those who choose not to are left behind. It is a symbiotic relationship- serve the tuath well and you are recognized and rewarded for it. In the system we live by, those that work hard are the ones who earn the greatest rewards.
Sometimes, the rí will intervene between the combatants. Though rare, as it is believed that laochra should be allowed to express their passions and defend their honor, it is often in a case where the contenders are both veteran laochra and champions in their own right. In these cases, the experience of the laochra makes serious injury or fatality much more likely, and they are often airí, warrior-nobles, and too valuable as leaders to lose in a róe over pride. Sometimes, more than one contender is vying for the laochmhír, and there is an imbalance in the combat. Both were the case at the Feast of Bricriu, wherein a perfect description of the róe over the laochmhír takes place:
“While the feast was being prepared for them, the musicians and the players performed. The moment Bricriu spread the feast with its savories he was ordered by the hostages to leave the hall. The straightway got up with their drawn swords in their hands to expel him. Whereupon Bricriu and his wife went out to the balcony. As he arrived at the threshold of the stronghold he called out, ‘That Champion's Portion, such as it is, is not the portion of a fool's house; do ye give it to the Ulster hero ye prefer for valor.’ And then he left them.
“Then the waiters got up to serve the food. The charioteer of Loegaire the Triumphant, that is, Sedlang mac Riangabra, rose up and said to the distributors; ‘Give to Loegaire the Triumphant the Champion's Portion which is by you, for he alone is entitled to it before the other young heros of Ulster.’
Then Id mac Riangabra, charioteer to Conall the Victorious, got up and spoke to like effect. And Loeg mac Riangabra spoke as follows: ‘Bring it to Cu Chulainn; it is no disgrace for all the Ulstermen to give it to him; it is he that is most valiant among you.’
“‘That's not true,’ said Conall the Victorious and Loegaire the Triumphant.
They got up upon the floor and donned their shields and seized their swords. The hewed at one another until half the hall was an atmosphere of fire with the clash of sword- and spear-edge, the other half one white sheet from the enamel of the shields. Great alarm got hold upon the stronghold; the valiant heros shook; Conchobar himself and Fergus mac Roig were furious on seeing the injury and injustice of two men attacking one, namely Conall the Victorious and Loegaire the Triumphant attacking Cu Chulainn. There was no one among the Ulstermen who dared separate them until Sencha spoke to Conchobar:
‘Part the men,’ said he.
“Thereupon Conchobar and Fergus intervened; the combatants immediately let drop their hands to their sides. ‘Execute my wish,’ said Sencha.
‘Your will shall be obeyed,’ they responded.
‘My wish, then,’ said Sencha,‘is to-night to divide the Champion's Portion there among all the host, and after that to decide with reference to it according to the will of Ailill mac Matach, for it is accounted unlucky among the Ulstermen to close this assembly unless the matter be adjudged in Cruachan.’
The feasting was then resumed; they made a circle about the fire and got drunken and merry.”
It is difficult to determine precisely how old this tradition is, not the least because there is still controversy over when the Celtic peoples truly evolved from the Indo-European root, but it seems to have been a core part of Celtic social interactions as far back as can be traced, and is still a vital part of the expression of the warrior traditions amidst the Sinnsreachd culture. In a time when heroism is cast to the wayside by many, when honor and pride take second seat to greed and debauchery, and in a world in which ignorance and cowardice have replaced wisdom and courage, it is little wonder that the Sinsearaithe have so fully embraced the traditions of the Hero’s Portion.