Llangynwyd Mari Lwyd

The Mari Lwyd is an ancient Welsh custom which used to be widespread, almost disappeared  to survive only in a few places and is again regaining popularity in the twenty-first c century, At Llangynwyd it has survived (with perhaps a very short break) whereas in other locations it is usually a revival of a dormant custom. Mari Lwyd means grey mare, and she takes the form of a decorated horse-skull on a pole operated by a man in a white sheet ; the Mari would be paraded around the district in return for refreshment as a house-visiting custom. A feature of the event was the singing battle between the visiting party and householders, followed by the visitors being invited in for cake. Nowadays the action takes place at the Corner House pub and the singing is still a feature of this event.

Helpful Hints

Similar customs take place elsewhere, notably at the St Fagans National Museum in the build-up to Christmas. Formerly the event at Llangynwyd took place at the  Old House pub (now closed) which depicted the Mari on its sign. As well as New Year’s Eve, the team also visit the Corner House every 13th January. It’s tricky to find the up-to-date details for the New Year event so I’d advise anyone planning to attend to contact the venue to double-check. Many sources state that it takes place on New Years Day rather than New Years Eve… though I have it on good authority that the New Year’s Day visitors were re-enacting the custom rather than the original group, and that the authentic event is New Year’s Eve and January 13th.

Click here for the venue website : http://www.cornerhousellan.co.uk

and here for the 13th January Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1107207880450070/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A%5B%5D%7D

Photo by Onion.