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Jedburgh in the South of Scotland Borders region is one of a few towns where the Ba Game – a Street Handball Game – is played every February on the Thursday after Fastern Eve. There are no limits to the number of players on either of the two teams, which consist of those living North of Mercat Cross and those living South of Mercat Cross in the town.
The aim of the game is to guide a small leather ball – the size of a Gaelic Handball – to one of two “goals” situated at either end of the town. Injuries are common and shopkeepers board up windows in order to prevent damage. The tradition has been played since AD 1548 with the first verified record dating to 1704 according to BBC News Scotland.
The Leather Ball has ribbons attached to it, something which is common across Britain and Ireland in ancient custom, such as the ribbons put on trees in Ireland on St. Brigids Day. Those North of the Mercat Cross – the “Uppies” – try to take the ball to the Town Castle and those South of the Mercat Cross – the “Doonies” – try to take it to the Jedwater.
Royalty-free stock photo ID: 1031964136
Jedburgh, Mercat Cross, UK. 22.Feb.2018. Jed Hand Ba’ The annual game of hand ball takes place every year the Thursday after Fastern Eve. The tradition derives from 1548
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References
Websites
[1] BBC South of Scotland (2016) In Pictures: Jedburgh’s Ba Game, 12th February 2016 [Internet] Available from: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-35558735 [Accessed 23 October 2021]
[2] BBC South of Scotland (2016) In Pictures: Jedburgh’s Ba Game, 8th February 2019 [Internet] Available from: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-47170409 [Accessed 23 October 2021]
[3] BBC South of Scotland (2016) In Pictures: Jedburgh’s Ba Game Battles, 27th February 2020 [Internet] Available from: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-51658789 [Accessed 23 October 2021]
Stock Images
[2] Shutterstock (2018) Royalty-free stock photo ID: 1031964136 Jedburgh, Mercat Cross, UK. 22.Feb.2018. Jed Hand Ba’ The annual game of hand ball takes place every year the Thursday after Fastern Eve. The tradition derives from 1548
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Thanks to Derek Walsh and Richard Mulcahy
ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT
Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the
Eirball | GAA World Archive
Last Updated: 23 October 2021
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