With at least one of our member following Welsh Traditions I thought it might be a good time to share the history of the Mari Lwyd.
Photo credit: MariArianrhod.jpg (637×960) (atlanticculturescape.eu)
The tradition dates back to the 1800 around the Yule High Day, one (traditionally male) would collect themselves a horse skull, usually decorated with coloured ribbons and rosettes and with glass bottle eyes and affix it to a pole. Once assembled you would drape a sack cloth or sheet over the head like a veil and hide beneath. The leader of the group would take the reins of the horse and lead it though the streets. From there, you and your friends would go wassailing and joking though your town.
As with many things the origins of the Mari Lwyd are a topic of some debate but early folklorists like Ellen Ettinger and Peate believe the practice to be of pre-Christian origins. The tradition has largely died out over time some says due to a lack of Welsh speakers and other to the increased rowdiness when going door to door particularly with the rise of Chapel and Methodism in Whales.
Happy Wassailing friends!