Chi re be TA’ TA’ –
HURRA, HURRA, HURRA:

Mr Rato and myself have asked students at most of Portugal’s Universities why they chant this Chi re be Ta Ta – HURRA, HURRA, HURRA three times at their football matches and other school activities. I personally found the Coinbra University the most intriguing as Mr Rato asked the above question to a ‘student body’ principal as to “Why?” with the usual blank look followed by that acknowledgement of interest… Mr Rato then asked if the student had any idea as to the why Coinbra cafeteria lunch room was called Chi re be Ta Ta? Had he any idea why the forefathers had decided on such a name? Then due to this student’s interest, Mr Rato sufficed the following answer!

The Celtic/Gaelic meaning... After any battle it was common for the Celts to celebrate ‘Victories’ down by the waters edge. The word ‘Victory’ in the Celtic/Gaelic language translates as ‘Hurra‘ this is why in Portugal there is a common chant of “Chi re be Ta Ta – HURRA, HURRA, HURRA”. Chi re be Ta Ta will be explained in detail during ‘discussions’ between Sarah and Miai within the script of the play where time will permit such Celtic mythological detail.

Famous examples of these celebrations are ‘River Dance’ and ‘Lord of the Dance’ and if a Celtic warriors sword had given them success in battle nine times – then the sword would be gifted to the ‘Woman of the Sacred Lake’ as a sign of contempt for any attachment to material values (This was the origins for Celtic warriors folklore of them having ‘nine lives’). This is sadly misunderstood with today’s interpretation of discarding three coins into the fountain – while at the same time expecting something in return with the act of payment for wishing for something of material gain.

“HURRA, HURRA, HURRA” These three chants of ‘Victory’ are the essence of Celtic folk-lore as in the first celebration chant HURRA! Representing FADO, long ago in the beginning we had to have the victory of life, for every new life has to unfold creating a unique story for its own.

HURRA!!, celebration number two is symbolic of life today as we experience the wonders of living moment by moment being a definite cause for celebration, with singing and dancing down by the riverside being representative of FANDANGO. Birth and life are then inevitably, followed by death.

The third and final HURRA!!! – is representative of the FAENA, the ritual of killing the bull, the cycle of fertility is complete. Birth, life and death is fado, fandango and faena, the essence of the oldest Celtic Festival of celebration known to mankind.