Creigiau - Pentyrch - Capel Llanilltern - Gwaelod y Garth

 
 

Hanes Pentyrch History

Mari Lwyd

Mari Lwyd Pentyrch The Mari Lwyd Custom
Opinions differ on the origin of the "Mari Lwyd" custom - some believe it is linked to pagan times, a bringer of good luck and fertility at the "re-birth of the sun" when the days lengthen. Some link the name to the Virgin Mary and the escape to Egypt, some simply to the "Grey Mare or Mary" (the Saxon pronunciation of "mare" sounded more like "marie"). Even the name of Morris dancing may be from the same source. Similar customs involving a "horse's head" have been recorded in Ireland Austria, Romania, Poland, Germany, Scandinavia and at least six areas of England.

The party always included a "Sergeant" to lead the horse and, more often than not, "Punch and Judy" They roamed the village challenging the householders and innkeepers in "question and answer" verses before entering the house. Having sung, danced and teased the occupants, the party sat down to food and drink before moving on. The tradition was very much alive in the county of Glamorgan and was still practised in this area half a century ago. In fact the horse's head on show at the Museum at St Fagans came from Pentyrch.

 

Mari Lwyd