Some places in Wales still have this tradition and in some historic venues around the country tourists are able to make their own toffee and join in on this sweet tradition.
In some areas it was the legs that were beaten. In others, it was the custom for the last person to get out of bed in the morning to be beaten with holly branches. This strange and cruel custom died out before the end of the 19th century. The horse figure is made and adorned with ornamental ears and eyes. It would also be further decorated with coloured ribbons, bells and paper.
It would then be paraded around the town. The party would challenge different houses to a battle of wits known as pwnco. After this battle, the Mari Lwyd party would be invited into the house for refreshments.
This is a tradition that was a fundamental part of all Christmas festivities. Plygain is still an active custom in Mid-Wales and is a significant feature of a Welsh Christmas. It is a traditional Welsh Christmas service and is essentially singing between the hour of 3am and 6am on Christmas Day. But why so early? And how is Plygain different from Christmas Mass?
Apart from the time of day it takes place, all the verses of the songs in the Plygain reference the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ, as well as his birth, unlike Christian carols. Taffy, or Everton toffee was made by Welsh families on Christmas Eve in the lead up to the Plygain service. They would stay up waiting for the Christmas service and make this delicious toffee.
Some would invite others round to join them to help make it too! This is known as Noson Gyflaith. The horse figure is made and adorned with ornamental ears and eyes. It would also be further decorated with coloured ribbons, bells and paper. It would then be paraded around the town. The party would challenge different houses to a battle of wits known as pwnco.
The tradition gained a bad reputation for drunkenness and vandalism, which was unacceptable in the eyes of the church. Eventually, the verses and insults were replaced by more genteel carols. They would drink a mixture of fruit, spices and sugar topped up with warm beer from a Wassail — an elaborately decorated bowl with many handles.
As it was passed about, the drinkers would make a wish for a good farming year and a bumper crop at harvest time. Thankfully, this one died out by the end of the 19th century! On Boxing Day, young men would beat the unprotected arms or legs of young females with holly branches until they bled. Mistletoe is believed to protect the home from evil and holly stands as a symbol of eternal life.
The Welsh are great lovers of music and every year they throng to local churches in large numbers to sing carols during Christmastime.
These are sung often to the accompaniment of a harp. Caroling is also done in individual homes around the Christmas tree.
In many places, groups of people set out at dawn on Christmas morning, going from house to house and caroling before the doors and windows of the houses they visit.
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