Tempest Morgan - submitted photo
Bring the Welsh holiday spirit into your home as you join our festive Zoom presentation early afternoon on Saturday December 4 at 2:00 PM EST. Your family and friends can gather around the computer with you, to share the music and story telling:
We will have a special presentation by Tempest Morgan with “Mischief, Merriment and the Mari Lwyd". Tempest Morgan is a historian who specializes in Medieval Britain. She obtained her MA with Honors in Museum and Gallery Studies from Kingston University in London, UK and has worked for institutions such as the National Trust and Historic Royal Palaces.
Join us to learn about the Mari Lwyd, an ancient Welsh mid-Winter tradition known as early as 1800. The Mari Lwyd is uniquely Welsh, yet part of a tradition stretching across Europe and beyond, and back in time to the earliest cave-painted shaman figures in their animal masks. Seasonal customs with songs and the sharing of food and drink occur throughout the year but a midwinter ritual with the horse at its centre taps into a particular vein of folk custom. (trac.cymru).
Men would carry the Mari Lwyd to local houses, where they would request entry by singing verses. The ladies would be expected to deny them entry, also singing verses, and the two sides would sing back and forth. If the lady of the house allowed them in, then they would be given food and drink. Straford Wild, will sing traditional verses in Welsh and English to the lady of the house Annie Rodgers.
Glyn Dowden - submitted image
Kasha Breau - submitted image
We will also be entertained by:
• Our very own Dylan Thomas, Glyn Dowden, joined by Magdalen Dowden, reading part of A Child’s Christmas in Wales
• Kasha Breau playing Welsh Carols on her harp
• A Christmas gift from our friends the Hogia’r Bonc choir from Bethesda, Wales singing Calon Lan.
• Following the popping of Christmas crackers, the afternoon will conclude with
• Welsh tunes by member Straford Wild and his sister Andrea Wild and friends.
TO FULLY JOIN IN:
* Wear your red clothes and accessories
* Set out a tea of mince pies, Welsh cakes and spiced tea or other beverage and settle yourself near a log fire
* Have poppers/Christmas Crackers to pop together!
PLAN AHEAD:
Penderyn Welsh Whisky from their full line at The Wise Old Dog in West Hartford. Call and have it delivered (860) 523-5779.
Baked goods (including Copper Kettle’s mix for Welsh Cakes, and baked Mince Pies), teas and Christmas crackers at UK Gourmet. See their online catalog: store.ukgourmet.us or (203) 628-7462
All members will be sent the Zoom link.
Non-members please request Zoom invitation using our contact form.