This paper looks at the St. Kitts Mummies' plays as published in Folklore by R.Abrahams (1968). It demonstrates that the texts were originally taken from a book published in the 1890s by a missionary society, although latterly modified by oral transmission. The missionary text was itself compiled from northern English chapbook texts and a version from Devon.
The main types of variation that occur between the texts are examined, and possible explanations for each type of change are put forward, together with an assessment of their relative importance. Supplementary examples are also drawn from other grouped texts - e.g. texts collected from the same person at different times, or from different members of the same team. The implications for research based on textual evidence are discussed.
[Ron Shuttleworth Collection holds handout.]