By continuing to use the site, you agree to our use of cookies and to abide by our Terms and Conditions. We in turn value your personal details in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
Please log in or register. Registered visitors get fewer ads.
The most renowned pre-Christian custom of the New Year traditions in Wales was that of the Mari Lwyd, the phrase meaning the Grey Mare. The Mari Lwyd was a horse’s skull covered with a white sheet and ribbons. It had false ears and eyes and was carried on a long pole covered in a sheet and decorated with ribbons.Gangs of men and youths would carry the Mari Lwyd from door to door. When a door was opened the householder was greeted with poems and insults — in Welsh — and they were expected to reply. When the verbal battle, y pwnco, had been won or lost the Mari Lwyd and her followers were invited inside for another drink.In the 19th century the churches and chapels began to object to the violence and drunkenness that invariably accompanied a visit from the Mari Lwyd and gradually, the singing of carols began to replace the poems and insults.Calennig is another New Year custom, from dawn 1 January small parties of boys would pass from house to house in the village or town, carrying twigs of evergreen plants and cups or jugs of water. They would use the twigs to splash water at people and, in return, would receive the calennig — small copper coins.Other historic references have them carrying three-legged totems and chanting rhymes. The custom, in various forms, survived in some areas well after World War Two, at least in the form of the chanting of a small verse or two in exchange for small coins
1
Pontardawe to celebrate New years eve on 09:45 - Dec 26 with 1049 views
A friend does it in Cwmafan ( with horses head and sheets all over the Christmas period ) but he is originally from Bridgend so that may explain that. I remember the phrase being used on NYE when I was a child growing up in the Rhondda but not the horses head part.
We've got one of the biggest Lidls in the country too.
Ever since my son was... never conceived, because I've never had consensual sex without money involved... I've always kind of looked at you as... a thing, that I could live next to... in accordance with state laws.
By continuing to use the site, you agree to our use of cookies and to abide by our Terms and Conditions.
