King Billy down under: The material culture of Orangeism

Abstract

In the island of Ireland the Loyal Orange Institution (LOI), or Orangeism as it is often called, has been the bearer of the symbols of Protestantism. Such symbols were also transferred throughout the diaspora, but the material culture of Orangeism is starkly under-researched. Most focus has been on the rituals and symbolism of the parades that played a visible part in identifying Orangeism as a whole. The analysis also has been mostly from a sociological perspective rather than a historical one. However there is more to material culture than simply banners and sashes.