What does "my clan" or "my chief" mean?

[Scotus]

In another thread on clans, the "obsession with clans" was brought up. While I agree that obsessions are often not a good thing, I think the spirit of those posts seemed to be saying that those of use who wear the tartan of a clan or belong to clan societies are not doing so with any base in reality; that is, there is no more clan system. If that's not what was being said, my deepest apologies. It's not like I've not been misunderstood in posts myself.

However, that being said, I thought it might be a good topic for a little thread of it's own. Why? I think so because the whole notion of clans and Scottish history very much plays into why we even wear and discuss kilts, at least from the perspective of many of us in the forum. I know this is true not only for Americans and Canadians but for men I know in Scotland. So what is my personal perspective?

I agree that there is no more clan system in the sense of being called to arms by a chief and going to war with other clans, or even any real bond of fealty to a chief. When I speak of "my clan" or "my chief" I don't mean it in the same way that the Scots of old in the Highlands would have meant it. I mean it more in the way of belonging to a group, having roots, and being attached to a certain group of people in a loose bond of mutual interest. When I say "my chief," I mean the man who is recognized in an official capacity by the Lord Lyon as the hereditary head of this group.

"My clan," or "my chief" is a basis for what else I do in regard to the kilt and it's a focus for my study of Scottish history and culture. I think these are worth preserving. If it weren't for these notions, how many people would be wearing kilts because of it's connection with Scottish culture?

What does "my clan" or "my chief" mean to you? Is this the basis for your wearing the kilt and/or a particular tartan?

[Phogfan86]

Yeah, there are a few running around the board, shooting down the notion of the clans and clan chiefs and then saying, "Oh, but don't let all these facts ruin your fun."

We all know the clan system is long dead. We all know that the notion of clan tartans was an idea to boost wool sales. And we all know that the clan system was a tough, nasty way of life much of the time and that it has been romanticized over the years.

But so what?

I enjoy the sense of belonging. I enjoy feeling like I'm part of something that's bigger than myself, something that's timeless and ancient. I enjoy knowing where my family -- one really old branch of it, anyway -- came from and knowing that they were part of something unique and important in the history and evolution of their nation.

For me, "my clan" means a group of people to whom I am connected by common names, common history, common struggles and maybe common DNA.

Right now, we don't have a chief, so I can't speak too much to that, but I would imagine that I'd feel a connectedness to him as a "senior" member of the family, someone who has a particularly close and important connection to our common ancestors.

Is my affiliation with a clan why I wear a particular tartan? Sure. But I'm not going to limit myself and not wear certain tartans that I like or that resonate with me, for whatever reason. And I certainly won't be offended or even bothered if someone who isn't affiliated with my clan wears the tartan, so long as they wear it with pride and respect.

I don't know if this is even close to what you're looking for, but this is what it's about to me. It's about belonging and that need to be part of something bigger.

[gilmore]

To me clans and clan societes are like other hereditary, genealogical or historical societies, like SAR (Sons of the American Revolution) or SCV (Sons of Confederate Veterans) or FFV (First Families of Virginia.)Their primary focus may be history or genealogy, but people being social animals, they can also form the basis for camaraderie and friendships.

In the US it seems that many, if not most, people who join clan societies are new to an area and are looking for ways to meet people and make friends.

It's analagous to aristocracy in contintental Europe, I suppose, in those countries where there are no more monarchies and thus no more true aristocracies. People who descend from them may call themselves "Marquis de ____" or "Graf von___," but everyone knows, including them, that it's not who you are, but who you were. Even in countries like the UK holders of titles don't often live like their grandfathers and great grandfathers did. Times have changed, and things will never go back to how they were. Nonetheless, there are those who have an interest in history and the past.

[macwilkin]

To me clans and clan societes are like other hereditary, genealogical or historical societies, like SAR (Sons of the American Revolution) or SCV (Sons of Confederate Veterans) or FFV (First Families of Virginia.)Their primary focus may be history or genealogy, but people being social animals, they can also form the basis for camaraderie and friendships.

In the US it seems that many, if not most, people who join clan societies are new to an area and are looking for ways to meet people and make friends.

It's analagous to aristocracy in contintental Europe, I suppose, in those countries where there are no more monarchies and thus no more true aristocracies. People who descend from them may call themselves "Marquis de ____" or "Graf von___," but everyone knows, including them, that it's not who you are, but who you were. Even in countries like the UK holders of titles don't often live like their grandfathers and great grandfathers did. Times have changed, and things will never go back to how they were. Nonetheless, there are those who have an interest in history and the past.

Hear, Hear.

I think Gilmore summed it up quite nicely.

T.

[cessna152towser]

As Gilmore very succintly put it, its not about who you are but who you were.
For me, I have kilts in several tartans of family names from my lines of ancestry, though I also wear district tartans and solid colour kilts. Mostly I wear my kilts as casual garments.
I am a member of a clan society for my surname (paternal line). Some of the experts would no doubt tell me I should join the clan of my mother's paternal line. Although I live in Scotland the society is USA based as there is no longer an organisation for this clan in the home land.
My clan is simply a society which I belong to which provides me with a quarterly newsletter of the activities of other people who have the same surname in their ancesty, allows me to become involved in researching and adding to the society's genealogy database, and affords me a very occasional opportunity of meeting up with other members and showing them around the home land when they choose to visit here.
My clan society chief, or as he is styled, High Commissioner and Chairman, is regarded as the senior figure in the society, but as with any other club or society I am not likely to take arms and follow him to war!
There are some on this board and in my clan society who, in my personal opinion, take the whole clan thing far too seriously, though I would respect their right to do so. Yes there is a Court of the Lord Lyon in Edinburgh which will deal with heraldry, claims to chieftainship etc., but it is a relatively minor part of the Scottish Courts Service. Yes there are a few of the historic family names which still have organised structures based in Scotland but most do not. The majority of Scottish people have little interest in the clan structure nowadays.
For me as a Scot, it is just nice to be able to wear a variety of tartans and to be able to tell how I am connected to the tartan, should anyone ask.

[Phil]

Although I haven't personally used the word "obsession", coming from a Scottish perspective I do find the whole "clan" thing a bit of an irrelevance and only ever considered it when choosing a tartan as it seemed like a good idea at the time rather than just selecting one at random. If I had not liked the tartan, however, I would have had absolutely no compunction in choosing another as I do not accept for a moment that there is an inviolable right to any non-patented or non-family tartan. I am very aware, however, that absence makes the heart grow fonder, that distance can obliterate memories of hardship and suffering and give the individual a pair of rose-tinted spectacles about many things others might prefer to forget. As a result, there are probably no greater adherents to the clan system, no bigger consumers of shortbread, haggis and scotch whisky, no more enthusiastic attendees at Burns suppers, no more assiduous exponents of highland dancing, piping and the learning of Gaelic than are those from the great Scottish diaspora, many separated by several generations from their roots. This is not to say, however, that any of them would actually consider returning to live the dream, preferring instead to pontificate from afar.
For a Scot born and bred and actually living in the country, however, clans have very little relevance beyond the name on a nice tartan and to bend the knee to any upstart calling themselves a "clan chief" would be totally unthinkable.
That is where I come from but I know many here think differently and I have no wish for them to curtail the innocent pleasure they derive from the feeling of "belonging" which they must enjoy, especially in some modern societies where anonymity and social isolation have become more common. As long as they don't take the next step down the road and start believing "that tartan is mine and no-one else must wear it" or worse still "my clan right or wrong". That way is the way of division and strife.

[Scotus]

I don't know if this is even close to what you're looking for, but this is what it's about to me. It's about belonging and that need to be part of something bigger.

I think you said it very well.

[Colonel MacNeal]

To be a healthy human being, one must be a mongrel. (genetic diversity) Thus stated, clan affiliation, is in my opinion something to be taken with a grain of salt.

[JelicoCat]

We all have a sense of belonging and family/heritage is one of the best ways to fill that need. Pride in one's self and family is universal. The concept of clan may for most not have the same meaning it once did, but it still has meaning. It is a connection to both past and present.

[Scotus]

I am very aware, however, that absence makes the heart grow fonder, that distance can obliterate memories of hardship and suffering and give the individual a pair of rose-tinted spectacles about many things others might prefer to forget.

What you say is true. I think this is why many Americans and Canadians participate in Highland games, eating haggis, etc., as you say. To be fair, there are Scotsmen, born and raised, who also love to participate in these things, and see it as an important part of their culture.

As long as they don't take the next step down the road and start believing "that tartan is mine and no-one else must wear it" or worse still "my clan right or wrong". That way is the way of division and strife.

I agree. As I state, for me it's more of a point of reference, sense of belonging to something that is related to my ancestry, etc. I believe history and the past are very important.