Hey folks, it’s strange Welsh customs time!
’Y Fari Lwyd’ or ‘Mari Lwyd [MArry LOID]’ (The Grey Mare) is a ancient Welsh custom, typically celebrated on New Year’s Eve, it involves the ‘Mare’ and her group going from door to door (and pub to pub!) trying to gain access by signing verses, or ‘Pwnco’. The group accompanying the mare dress up (originally in rags but then evolved to Sunday Best with time) with darkened faces this was not blackface, this is ceremonial as to make the person ‘anonymous’ and distance themselves from their everyday life.
The inhabitants would sing counter verses to not let the Mare in, this would proceed until they ran out of excuses, when the Mare eventually enters, more songs are sung and the group is given food and drink.
This would bestow your household with luck for the coming year and drives out the bad luck from the previous year, the Mare is supposed to mischievous in nature.
Typically a horse skull was affixed to a pole with a white sheet attached to cover the leader, it is then decorated with ribbons and flowers. In some instances the jaw could move with a pulley device.
From what I understand of it, this was a pre-christian celebration and is unique to South Wales (particularly Glamorganshire), originating from the celebration of a new year and life coming back to the world as the turn of Spring begins (hence a dead horse coming back to life), a lovely little bit of obscure Welsh history! I unfortunately have never attended one, even though I live near Chepstow which does a regular Mari Lwyd every year, maybe I should change that soon.
