Keening

Keening is a traditional form of vocal lament found in Irish and Scottish Gaelic cultures. It refers to the public expression of mourning for the dead, typically performed at wakes or funerals. Keening is usually delivered as a chant or song, and in historical practice it was often performed by professional mourners, sometimes women, whose role was to voice grief on behalf of the bereaved.

The performance is characterized by formulaic phrases and a highly emotional delivery, sometimes with call-and-response elements. The exact musical style varied regionally, with some keens being melodic and others more spoken or sung in incantatory rhythms. Keening could be performed with or without musical accompaniment, such as harp or fiddle, depending on local custom.

Historically, keening was an established part of Gaelic funeral rites in Ireland and Scotland, prominent in medieval and early modern communities. Over time, the practice declined due to social change, migration, and changing funeral customs, though references remain in literature and folkloric tradition. In contemporary usage, keening is also used more broadly to describe any intense lament or wailing, not strictly tied to its traditional ritual setting.