Traditional - Keening is a form of lamentation for the dead and was often practiced by women in particular in country areas. It is hard for us to remember a time when infant mortality rates were high but women often has to ensure the death of numerous children due to childhood diseases. Men did "keen" but it was not thought of as common. There were professional keeners also. I have written about this in detail in an essay introduction to the album "Celtic Lamentations" which deals with the issue of grief and mourning in detail. This keen is based on a field recording of Kitty Gallagher (Gweedore, Donegal) which in turn had been passed down to her.