More than Banners and Sashes: The Material Culture of Orangeism

This chapter examines a much-neglected area outside of Ireland: the material culture of Orangeism. The Orange Order, by its origins, is a fraternal society with many rituals and practices deriving from the eighteenth century. The chapter has a six-part structure to emphasise diversity within the material culture of Orangeism. It moves beyond a focus on banners in the context of Ireland to include the Orange diaspora. The chapter begins with the built culture of Orange halls since this is where the inner life of the Orange Order occurs. The lodge system and the associated rituals that were used by members had to be pursued in private. It was here that bonding occurred and this therefore is the starting point for any discussion of Orange material culture. What naturally follows is the use of warrants and membership certificates. This chapter argues that these paper-based objects represent the two-fold right to form lodges and the evidence of membership for migrant Orange members. The process of joining and documenting lodge activities are represented through the ballot box and minute books. A central argument is that the material culture of the Orange Order generally followed what occurred in Ireland with some adaptations and exceptions.