Hey hello I made a thing! As perhaps a few of you know, I have spent the last half a year being completely unhinged about Patrick O’Brian’s Aubrey-Maturin books, and I’ve always been particularly interested in the character Stephen Maturin and his relationship to Catalonia. I saw that there was a lack of stuff about this part of his identity, and, being me, I felt the need to fill it in the only way I could: compiling music and yelling about it for thirty pages. Hence this playlist.
You really don’t need to know anything about these books to listen to this playlist. You also don’t need to know anything about Catalan (I hope). Catalonia and the Catalan Countries in general (including Valencia, the Balearic Islands, and parts of southern France, Aragon, and Sardinia) have a really interesting musical and literary tradition, and I wanted to make that more accessible, so I put together a few songs I liked, translated them, and wrote a bit about each of their significance, including the most important cultural tidbits I could. Some things don’t translate super well, and I hope my Catalan followers will forgive me for trying to adapt them more for English-speaking audiences than perhaps would be preferable; I usually don’t choose to do that, but in this case I wanted to open the door, and not to intimidate people.
Now that that’s out of the way, here is a link to the PDF of the liner notes (graphic design is my passion, as they say): https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MUpRM84W8aypznEIrt0eA1jG5OxaRZvz/view?usp=sharing
Under the cut I’ve included the ephimera and unnecessary commentary that you know and love, feel free to read or ignore it as you will
These roughly follow the order of the songs and are varying levels of seriousness
If you like "Sant Joan, feu-lo ben gran" then I'd highly recommend listening to the whole Tornaveus album. I almost included the “Stabat Mater de Sudanell” and the “Goigs de Sant Julià de Lòria”, which are both from western Catalonia, and they also have more cançons de pandero, in perhaps a slightly more traditional style. A lot of the other songs have interesting cultural commentary in them, especially on feminist topics, and they’re very well-researched because literally one of the members of the group is basically the ethnomusicologist of Catalan music at the moment. Anyways, if people would like the liner notes perhaps next time I’m home I’ll scan them, they’re in Catalan and English and very well-written. Also note the legendary Lluís Llach song which has been turned into a polyphonic piece lol (and I did not include the “Goigs de la Nostra Senyora de la Llibertat” but tbh that might have been a mistake on my part) (Blorbo side note that I think this fits Stephen’s childhood very well which is mostly why I chose it)
“L’Hereu Riera” is one of my favorite Catalan folk songs I love it so much and if you want to hear the Catalan version (as opposed to the Valencian one included here) and see the dance and also see a cobla, I am including a link to this version by Germà Negre which is tragically not on Spotify. I chose the Valencian one because (1) Al Tall and (2) I think it fits The Blorbo better (specifically I was thinking of his fiancée who dies before Book One who idk if anyone ever remembers shdjfhskf). That being said, Stephen would probably know the Catalan one (and almost certainly not the Valencian one). Also, on a memey-er note, Hereu Riera bisexual king and literal icon <3 love how he has to remind his girlfriend on her deathbed that actually he'd technically be interested in both her sisters AND her brothers if he wasn't so into her that he never wanted to marry anyone else
I literally did put in Roger Mas just so there would be at least one person with a Lleidan accent, #diversity win
Many points about the “Cançó de pandero de l’Urgell” and “Jo no canto per la veu” so here we go:
I put these two songs in mostly because I got very obsessed with the cançó de pandero from Alcarràs (which is a great movie that came out last year about a farming family in a village near Lleida that is winning all the awards atm). Anyways, since Carla Simón has been too busy winning things to put up the gotdam soundtrack, I did a bit of digging and it turns out that it was written for the movie?? By her brother??? It's excellent and very anticapitalist and you can listen to it here and see the trailer for Alcarràs all in one! (Includes English subtitles)
The original “Canto per un amic meu que per mi daria la vida” is probably from a Valencian cant de batre, although I could not get any confirmation on that. But regardless everyone should listen to Pep Botifarra's version of it, which I would literally marry if it had a physical form it’s so so good. (I posted it here back in ye olden days but it's been long enough I think I can post it again)
Valencian music side note because I can’t stop myself: the second pair of verses in the "Cançó de pandero de l'Urgell" (starting with “vos esteu ben acotxada…”) are sung by Miquel Gil, who is a very famous Valencian traditional singer, anyways you should listen to this version of him singing “Del Sud” by Obrint Pas (you want to go down a Valencian music rabbit hole so so bad)
I firmly believe that Stephen would canonically be obsessed with Ausiàs March, and the fact that he has not yet recited any of his poems is Patrick O’Brian’s biggest failing in my eyes. Anyways I have more thoughts but I’m saving them for other posts shdfjsd
If you read this before listening to the playlist please just listen to "El testament d'Amèlia" and follow along with the lyrics in real time before reading the blurb, it's such a good experience to let that song hit you as it comes. I won't say more than that but you'll get it when you get it. (Also obligatory listen to Marala they're so good <3)
From the Càntut album, I also quite like the songs "El pomeró" and "El divino vull cantar", and Càntut in general is an incredible resource, it's a database of folk song field recordings from northeastern Catalonia.
Brief pause to scream about the fact that Maria Arnal and Marcel Bagés WERE ON NPR??? AND NO ONE TOLD ME???? Anyways link in the sources section, also they're great and you should listen to their whole discography
As the #1 Roba Estesa stan blog on Tumblr, listen to Roba Estesa. And Ebri Knight. And El Diluvi.
I chose this version of "La presó de Lleida" because I like it but here's a more traditional one sung by Joan Manel Serrat, another Catalan legend. Here's another one in Catalan rumba style with Sílvia Pérez Cruz singing, the sound is a bit wonky but it's also one of my favorites. The Valencian version of this song is called "La presó de Tibi" and El Diluvi have done a very explicitly anti-monarchical rendition of it (the Balearic one is "La presó de Nàpols").
I'm sorry for never putting the Sílvia Pérez Cruz version of "Corrandes d'exili" but if you want it here it is. Also note that the statue of the Virgin in the poem is a reference to the Virgin of Montserrat, it literally all goes back to her shfjkshdf (also apologies for being very bad at Christianity and Catholicism, if I mistranslated things let me know)
HOO BOY SARDANA TIME
Okay so I have a whole essay to deliver on this that I've been holding inside for the past like two months or so, I apologize in advance for my excessive pedantry on the topic.
In Master and Commander, Stephen delivers this speech:
"‘Then I must tell you that on Sunday mornings it is the custom, in that country, for people of all ages and conditions to dance, on coming out of church: so I was dancing with Ramon Mateu i Cadafalch in the square before the cathedral church of Tarragona, where I had gone to hear the Palestrina Missa Brevis. The dance is a particular dance, a round called the sardana.’"
I hate to be a hater but it is very, very unlikely that anyone would have been dancing a sardana as far south as Tarragona in this time period. The sardana as the symbol of equality and brotherhood emerged in the Renaixença and would not yet have been a thing; Stephen could well have heard sardanas in Ullastret, but they would have been a more typical folk dance, and not anything like the way they're described in the book. It's very ironic, then, that they've become THE Catalan music style for Aubreyad readers, but hopefully this playlist can change that a bit :)
(also sorry for being a sardana-hater on main, someone bring me to dance a sardana and maybe I'll feel better)
Songs that didn't make the cut: La cançó del lladre, Rossinyol que vas a França, La balanguera, La gavina - I'm always happy for more recs!
Originally, this list was also going to include songs in Irish; I quickly realized that I was in over my head with that one, but the working list of songs is here (may be subject to changes so save songs elsewhere if you like them!). Also I would add "Fé Bhláth" by Imelda May and Kíla if it was on Spotify but alas it is not; and "Amhrán na Leabhar" which I have not had time to add but was kindly recommended by someone. I'd love it if someone was interested in actually doing a proper playlist for Irish though—it's a gap in my knowledge that I'd love to start filling.
Aaaaaaand that's a wrap. I hope. Final comment to say thank you to everyone who voted in the cover image poll, turns out you all won :) (Pirineus did win and take the cover of the liner notes though)
Holaa! T'ho dic en català així practiques una mica :) Si estàs aprenent català recomano molt veure Plats Bruts, que és una sèrie de fa com mil anys però encara és super popular xd. Té com 70 capítols però no cal que te'ls miris en ordre exacte, l'única continuïtat que tenen és els personatges principals que es van introduint o que van marxant i tal. Recomano molt mirar-la, es pot trobar fàcilment per Youtube i val molt la pena!!!
Ei hola!! Moltes gràcies pel missatge, i també per la recomanació :) He de confessar que ja he mirat la sèrie sencera, la vaig mirar durant la pandèmia i em va encantar, i si la pogués esborrar de la ment i tornar-la a mirar ho faria. Però ho poso aquí perquè tinc molts seguidors a qui potser els agradaria també, agraeixo molt la oportunitat de fer-ne propaganda haha
GUILLEMELGAT’S CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLD | കേരളം (Kerala)
A traditional Kerala church is lit up with Christmas lights (source). It’s typical for churches in Kerala to be strung with festive lights during the Christmas season. Around one-fifth of Malayalis are Christian, belonging to a variety of denominations; Christianity has had a presence in Kerala since the 1st century AD.
The altar of a church in Kottayum, Kerala (source). As with many Christian traditions, the most important part of Christmas is the midnight mass. Syrian Christians also often abstain from meat and fish during the Advent period.
A crib, or Nativity scene, set up by local residents for a competition in Peringammala (source). It’s common to set up elaborate Nativity dioramas, called a പുൽക്കൂട് or crib, in front of the house.
A meat curry, one of the foods often eaten for Christmas dinner (source). There is usually a large meal on Christmas, especially if people were abstaining from meat and fish or fasting beforehand. The dishes are usually meat curries, biryanis, or any traditional holiday food similar to what is served at an Onam sadya.
A traditional Syrian Christian snack food which is eaten on Christmas and other holidays (source). Called അച്ചപ്പം, the snack is made from a simple batter that is placed in an elaborate mold and fried.
A Christmas plum cake (source). Another traditional Christmas food is plum cake or fruit cake, which made and shared with friends and neighbors.
Lit-up Christmas stars hanging from a vendor’s stall (source). One of the most emblematic symbols of Christmas for Malayalis are the Christmas stars. Made from paper that has been cut and decorated, and lit up from inside, they are hung all over churches, homes, and towns at Christmas time. The star is meant to be a representation of the star that directed the Three Kings to Jesus in the original Nativity story.
A child holds a sparkler during a celebration in Kerala (source). Like other festivals in Kerala, fireworks and firecrackers are an important part of the Christmas revelry.
Children sing Christmas carols at Pallippurum Church in Ernakulu (source). It’s common from groups of performers to go around the neighborhood singing carols at people’s doors at Christmas time. In fact, the tradition, while largely Christian, is not limited by religion, and members of other religious groups sometimes go caroling as well— Christmas joy is open to all.
(Thanks to this post for being a very helpful jumping off point)
GUILLEMELGAT’S CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLD | Catalunya (Catalonia)
A stall at Santa Llúcia’s Fair in Barcelona (source). The Fira de Santa Llúcia is a Christmas fair set up around the Barcelona Cathedral, starting in late November and ending right before Christmas. Vendors sell Christmas decorations of all kinds, as well as other crafts. The oldest reference to the fair is almost 300 years ago, making it a very long-running tradition.
A traditional Nativity scene at a shop in San Cugat (source). Like many of the other Christmas traditions we’ll look at, Catalans enjoy making large and detailed Nativity dioramas, often taking up entire displays in shop windows or in homes. It’s also common to go around and look at neighbors’ scenes, especially with all the hidden figures in each!
The traditional caganer figurine (source). One of the most (in)famous figures in the Catalan Nativity scene, the caganer (’pooper’) is traditionally tucked away in a corner for viewers to try to find. Traditional caganers are made to look like a Catalan peasant man, in farmer’s clothes and a red barretina hat. In recent years, however, caganers of public figures such as politicians or celebrities have become very popular as well.
A plate of Christmas stew (source). The traditional first dish of the Christmas meal in Catalonia is escudella de Nadal, a hearty soup made of large shell pasta (galets) with a meatball filling.
The Sybil’s Chant being performed in Mallorca (source). Sung at the midnight mass on Christmas Eve, this haunting Gregorian Chant was traditionally performed all across Southern Europe before being pushed away by the Church in the 16th century. The tradition only remained in Mallorca and Alguer (Sardinia), and in the late 20th century it began to be revived in Catalonia and the Valencian Country as well. Historically a young boy performed as the sybil, dressed in luxurious clothes and carrying a sword in front of them; now, it is also performed by girls as well as adults (the singer Maria del Mar Bonet in particular is known for her version).
A stall selling Christmas logs (source). A key part of Catalan Christmas celebrations is the Tió de Nadal, a log which is usually decorated with a cartoonish painted face, two legs to prop it up, and a barretina hat. The log is brought out in early December, and children feed it every day and cover it with a blanket to keep it warm. Then, on Christmas, all the children in the house take turns hitting the tió with sticks while singing a song to make it “shit” presents. Typically, these are sweets to be shared or other small gifts; larger presents are given on Three Kings’ Day.
A plate of neules, traditional Catalan Christmas cookies (source). After Christmas dinner, one of the traditional desserts in Catalonia are neules, thin, rolled-up wafer cookies, usually eaten dipped in cava (Catalan sparkling wine). The other common dessert is a type of nougat-based sweet called torró.
The St. Stephen’s Day concert at the Palau de la Música Catalana (source). The Orfeó Català, resident choir at the Palau de la Música Catalana, hosts a concert every year on the day after Christmas. The music selection typically includes tradtional Christmas carols, classical pieces, and new works for the occasion. It usually fills the entire concert hall, and is also broadcast on public television.
A plate of canelons, typically eaten on St. Stephen’s Day (source). The day after Christmas, the traditional meal is canelons, made from meat or fish rolled in sheets of pasta and covered with cheese. The filling is usually leftovers from Christmas dinner, and the tradition arose as a way to make use of them.
Com que és el mes d’orgull LGBTI+ i hi ha alguns posts celebrant-lo des de la comunitat langblr, he volgut afegir els meus cinc cèntims. Primer de tot, dec la inspiració d’aquest post al repte del mes d’orgull de @portugue, moltes gràcies per fer-lo! Va suggerir fer un post amb els colors de la bandera d’orgull original (la de Gilbert Baker) i els seus significats. He fet una mica més, també afegint les banderes lesbiana, bisexual, transgènere, i asexual (només he fet els que cabien en dues pàgines però sé que en fa falta moltíssimes - si voleu que en faci més sisplau digueu-m’ho). Aquí en teniu la transcripció:
Bandera d’orgull LGBT / Bandera de l’arc de Sant Martí
Aquesta versió és l’original, feta per Gilbert Baker el 1978. L’havia dissenyat per substituir el triangle rosa, que fins llavors havia sigut el símbol de la comunitat gai però que tenia origens en l’Holocaust i per tant, una connotació bastant negativa. La versió de Baker probablement està inspirada en les banderes de pau/harmonia universal del moviment hippie a la dècada dels 60. Té vuit franges, que amb el pas del temps han anat reduint-se fins arribar a la versió més típica d’avui, que en té sis. He optat per la versió amb més franges simplement perquè crec que en un post sobre els colors i signficats de les banderes LGBTI+, com més colors i significats millor! Aquests són els colors i significats corresponents:
rosa - sexualitat
vermell - vida
taronja - salut
groc - llum del sol
verd - natura
turquesa - art
blau (anyil) - serenitat
violeta - esperit
Bandera d’orgull lesbiana
Aquesta bandera té moltes versions també, però és un disseny relativament recent. També n’hi ha d’altres, però aquesta sembla la més normalitzada i utilitzada en aquest moment. He fet servir la versió de cinc franges, però també n’hi ha una de set, que podeu veure aquí. Aquests són els colors i significats corresponents:
taronja fosc - disconformitat de gènere
taronja clar - comunitat
blanc - relació única amb ser dona
rosa - serenitat i pau
rosa fosc - feminitat
Bandera d’orgull bisexual
Aquesta bandera fou creada el 1998 per Michael Page. Està inspirat en els biangles (triangles de bisexualitat) de Liz Nania, que també té el triangle rosa com a base. Els significats que he posat aquí són els originals, que he tret del següent explicació del mateix Page:
«El color rosa representa l'atracció sexual entre persones del mateix sexe (gais i lesbianes). El blau representa l'atracció sexual únicament cap al sexe oposat (heterosexuals) i el solapament resultant d'ambdós colors representa l'atracció sexual cap ambdós sexes (bisexuals).»
Dit això, molta gent bisexual (com jo) defineix la bisexualitat com a atracció a tots els gèneres (o bé sense tenir en compte el gènere de la persona); també està acceptada definir-la com a atracció a dos o més gèneres, i per exemple, alguna gent bi es declara atreta per dones i gent no-binària, o per homes i gent no-binària, o qualsevol altre combinació. L’únic que sí que és important és que la gran majoria de les defincions de la bisexualitat avui en dia reconeixen l’existència de més de dos gèneres, i no es basen en la binaritat. Amb aquest disclaimer, els colors i significats originals són aquests:
magenta/rosa - atracció a persones del mateix sexe
lavanda - atracció a persones d'ambdos sexes
blau reial - atracció a persones del sexe oposat
Bandera d’orgull transgènere
La bandera d’orgull transgènere és un disseny de Monica Helms, creada el 1999. És simètrica i, per tant, no pot ser hissada de manera incorrecte. Aquests són els colors i significats corresponents, tenint en compte que les franges de blau cel i rosa es repeteixen sense un segon significat:
blau cel - color tradicional dels nadons masculins/nois
rosa - color tradicional dels nadons femenins/noies
blanc - transició o gènere neutre/indefinit
Bandera d’orgull asexual
La bandera d’orgull asexual va sorgir el 2010 després d’un debat i contacte amb diverses comunitats asexuals, creada per un equip de persones i guanyadora d’una enquesta general al fòrum de l’Asexual Visibility & Education Network (AVEN; “Xarxa de visibilització i educació asexual”). Aquests són els colors i significats corresponents:
negre - asexualitat
gris - asexualitat grisa i demisexualitat
blanc - aliats i parelles no-asexuals
violeta - comunitat
Fins aquí el meu recull! Com sempre, afegeixo que no soc parlant nadiu del català, i probablement hi ha deu mil errors aquí, però he mirat de treure tant de vocabulari com podia d’articles de Viquipèdia i altres coses escrites per catalanoparlants, per tant la majoria de terminologia clau hauria de ser correcte. Les correccions sempre estan benvingudes, tant del llenguatge com de la informació. He fet servir la Viquipèdia com a font principal, feu d’això el que vulgueu. I si voleu que faci més banderes, o voleu fer una versió en una altra llengua, envieu-me un missatge, jo encantat de la vida d’ajudar-vos!
GUILLEMELGAT’S CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLD | Euskal Herria (Basque Country)
Vendors at the Santo Tomas Fair in Donostia (source). On December 21, many Basque towns and cities host a winter market, celebrating local farmers. Donostia hosts one of the largest ones, with lots of different vendors selling both raw and prepared products.
A family in traditional Basque clothing at the Santo Tomas Fair in Donostia (source). For the fair, it’s common for people to dress in the traditional Basque clothing: abarka shoes; long skirts and a kerchief over the head for women; and a txapela hat and kerchief around the neck for men.
A plate of txistorra sausage at the Santo Tomas Fair in Irun (source). The most common treat at the Santo Tomas Fair is txistorra, a type of sausage which is often eaten wrapped up in a talo, which is similar to the Central American tortilla.
Two servings of intxaur-saltsa, a typical Basque Christmas dessert (source). Made from walnuts, this sweet has a creamy texture and is traditional on Christmas Eve.
A model Olentzero (source). Olentzero is often called the Basque Santa Claus; however, he is a bit different. Originally said to be one of the giants of the Pyrenees and a frightening figure, over the centuries, Olentzero evolved into a kind and generous gift-giver. His current origin story is as a charcoal-burner and wood-carver who sacrificed his life to save children from a burning house. Because of this deed, he was granted eternal life in order to keep making gifts for children. Olentzero parades through many towns at Christmastime and is a beloved figure for Basque people, having survived and come out strong on the other side of Francoist repression.
Txoronpio collects letters to Olentzero in a town in the Debagoiena region (source). Olentzero has two helpers called Txoronpio and Txoronpia, who walk around with sacks and collect letters from children to deliver to him. They are depicted by people on stilts with painted faces and dressed in traditional clothing.
The creche in the life-sized Nativity scene at Florida Park in Gasteiz (source). Every year in Gasteiz, life-sized statues fill Florida Park, creating a Nativity scene that takes up a section of the park and includes over 200 figures. Nativity scenes on a smaller scale are also common across the Basque Country and surrounding areas.
The Three Kings arrive in Donostia (source). The Spanish tradition is to give gifts on January 6, with the Three Kings leaving them in children’s shoes on the night of January 5. While Olentzero gives gifts on Christmas, children in the southern part of the Basque Country often also participate in Three Kings’ Day and get double the presents! There are also parades for the Three Kings, similar to Olentzero.
A traditional roscón de reyes (source). Another shared tradition with Spain in the southern Basque Country is making roscón de reyes, a sweet cake to be eaten on January 6. The tradition goes that however finds a certain object hidden in the cake gets to wear the crown and be king for the day—similar to other Christmas sweet traditions across Europe, such as English Christmas pudding.
GUILLEMELGAT’S CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLD | ኢትዮጵያ (Ethiopia)
A Nativity scene drawn in traditional Ethiopian religious art style (source). The Ethiopian Tewahedo Orthodox Church (the main Christian denomination, and main religious denomination in general, in Ethiopia) celebrates Christmas on January 7, similar to other Orthodox Christian traditions. Christmas is referred to as ገና (gänna) or ልደት (lïdät), the second of which translates to ‘Nativity’ or ‘birth’. The most important holiday in the Tewahedo Orthodox tradition is Easter, but the Advent fast, Christmas, and Epiphany (ጥምቀት) are all also important dates in its religious calendar.
A procession of Orthodox deacons and bishops during Christmas at the holy city of Lalibela (source). Christmas services, led by Orthodox priests, are the most important part of the Christmas tradition, which is largely religious in comparison to more festive European celebrations.
A group singing Mezmur (source). An important part of Tewahedo Orthodox worship is the singing of liturgical music, known as መዝሙር (mäzmur). Though not at all exclusive to Christmas celebrations, it is often performed during them.
Pilgrims to the Church of St. George at Lalibela during Christmas (source). Built to be a second Jerusalem, and one of Ethiopia’s holiest cities, ላሊበላ (lalibela) draws in many pilgrims for Christmas celebrations. The hewn-rock churches were built in the 12th century by Emperor Gebre Mesqel Lalibela, and was declared a world heritage site in 1978. Pilgrimage is a common show of devotion for Ethiopian Orthodox members.
Worshippers at Lalibela during an overnight Christmas service (source). In the Tewahedo Orthodox tradition, as with some other Christian denominations, the Christmas mass begins at night on Christmas Eve, and often lasts until early in the morning. The candle lighting is traditional.
Boys playing the traditional Christmas game of Yegena Chewata (source). In rural areas, especially in the Ethiopian Highlands, there is a traditional Christmas game called የገና ጨዋታ (yägäna c’äwata), which is similar to field hockey. It is many centuries old and its origins are unclear; the apocryphal story of its birth is that shepherds invented it while celebrating the Nativity. It was very popular in the later period of the Ethiopian Empire, but is waning in popularity now.
A preparation of the spicy chicken stew eaten on Christmas morning (source). Orthodox Christians in Ethiopia often fast during the Advent period, and after a long night of religious services, they break that fast on Christmas morning with ዶሮ ወጥ (doro wät), a spicy chicken stew. Christmas feasts are common during the day after the service.
Ethiopian mead being poured for a customer at a bar in Lalibela (source). Another part of the Christmas feast is ጠጅ (t’äj), a drink made from fermented honey which is one of the most famous Ethiopian beverages. It is not particularly tied to Christmas; it’s drunk as an everyday alcohol as well.
Ethiopian boys in traditional clothing (source). Gift-giving is not a tradition for Ethiopian Orthodox Christians, but for Christmas children are generally given a new set of nice clothes.
GUILLEMELGAT’S CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLD | Cymru (Wales)
A Mari Lwyd with her retinue at St Fagans in Cardiff (source). The Mari Lwyd is one of the most famous Welsh traditions. A ribbon-bedecked horse skull on a pole which is covered by a bedsheet, she comes knocking on doors and challenges anyone who answers them to pwnco, a rhyming battle (or sings them carols if it’s a gentler version).
A Plygain service at Capel Jewin, a Welsh church in London (source). Plygain is another very well-known Welsh Christmas tradition. The Plygain service was held early in the morning on Christmas day (the word plygain is said to come from the Latin for the cock’s crow, since it began before dawn). Because it was dark in the church, the people in the village would all bring candles to light up the space.
Two people singing Plygain carols at the church in Llansilin (source). Plygain services traditionally centered on the singing of carols, which would be performed a capella by one or two people. The services typically lasted until breakfast time. Many of the older carols were highly religious and almost a substitute for a sermon; modern Plygain is generally less intense. The tradition nearly died out, but several communities around Wales have maintained it for the unique singing rather than for its religious character.
A woman making Welsh treacle toffee (source). The night before Christmas, it was common to gather together and make Christmas taffy, typically during the hours before the Plygain service. The taffy was made over the stove and stretched by hand, usually while talking with family and neighbors. Another tradition in some areas was to cool off the taffy by dropping bits of it into cold water and to try to figure out who someone’s future spouse would be by seeing what letters the taffy looked like it had formed.
A greeting card with a song about Siôn Corn (source). The Welsh version of Santa Claus is Siôn Corn (‘[Chimney] Stack John’). The song on this card was written by J. Glyn Davies and is still commonly sung by children during Christmas concerts.
A box from Pembrokeshire which would be used to hold the captured wren, decorated on the outside with ribbons (source). The tradition on Twelfth Night in Pembrokeshire—or other days during Christmastide in other parts of the British Isles—was to capture the wren, a tiny bird. The wren was considered to be bad luck, and capturing it was a way to ensure a prosperous new year.
A modern group parading around the wren (source). Once captured, the wren would be brought from house to house, and people would pay to look at it within the box.
A sprig of holly, like that used for older St Stephen’s Day traditions (source). Up until several centuries ago, there was a tradition on the day after Christmas (Gwyl San Steffan) of groups of young men going around and beating the arms of girls with holly branches—or, in some cases, family members beating the last person up in the morning. This tradition, needless to say, has died out.
Two boys in Llangynwyd with their decorated apples, out to ask for Calennig (source). While not a Christmas tradition, the New Year’s tradition of Calennig is just as important of an occasion. Children would decorate an apple with three sticks and adorn it with hazelnut and boxwood leaves. They would then go from door to door, singing a song to wish the family good luck in the new year and asking for a gift (usually food or money).
