Banner Content
Banner Content

Story

Awen’s Associate Artists bring Mari Lwyd tradition to life

Awen’s Associate Artists bring Mari Lwyd tradition to life

Storyteller Tamar Williams and artist Naz Syed have worked with 12 groups of primary school aged children.

Share on

Over the first few weeks of January, two of Awen's Associate Artists have been celebrating Welsh culture with primary schools across Bridgend and Pontypridd.

 

Storyteller Tamar Williams and artist Naz Syed have brought the Mari Lwyd to life through tales and crafts, connecting children to traditional Welsh New Year heritage.

 

Twelve different groups have benefitted from the free opportunity, including Bridgend's Home Schooling group where several have made their own Mini Mari, and others have enjoyed Welsh folklore with a meeting from a life-size Mari itself. 

 

The Mari Lwyd (Welsh for 'Grey Mare') is a traditional South Welsh midwinter custom where a horse's skull is decorated with colourful ribbons, rosettes and bells, mounted on a pole and draped in a white cloth.

 

The Mari Lwyd is carried from house to house by a group over the festive and New Year season, engaging in rhyming battles with residents, singing call and response songs to gain entry to homes for food and drink. The eerie custom is said to bring good luck to the household. 


Story

Santa Appeal 2026

Help make Christmas brighter for children and young people in Bridgend County Borough.

Story

Awen libraries turn the page on climate misinformation

We are celebrating Green Libraries Week from Wednesday 21st to Wednesday 28th October.

Story

Ogwr History Month was a resounding success

More than 2,300 people attended.

Story

Santa Appeal 2026

Help make Christmas brighter for children and young people in Bridgend County Borough.

Story

Awen libraries turn the page on climate misinformation

We are celebrating Green Libraries Week from Wednesday 21st to Wednesday 28th October.