The Mari Lwyd is a fascinating and ancient Welsh tradition steeped in folklore, mystery, and a deeply human desire to connect with and make sense of a world beyond that which we see. Translating to “Grey Mare,” the Mari Lwyd involves the haunting figure of a horse’s skull adorned with ribbons, bells, and often a white sheet to conceal the person carrying it. This custom typically takes place during the Christmas season, especially around New Year’s Eve, and is rooted in pre-Christian midwinter traditions.
The Mari Lwyd tradition begins with a group of performers traveling from house to house in their community. They bring with them the Mari Lwyd and engage in a witty, musical exchange known as a pwnco. This exchange is a battle of rhyming verses, with the Mari Lwyd’s group attempting to gain entry to the house by singing humorous and clever verses, while the household responds with their own lyrical retorts to keep the group outside. If the Mari Lwyd’s party succeeds, they are welcomed in, often to refreshments and further festivities.
The origins of the Mari Lwyd are unclear but are thought to date back to pre-Christian Celtic midwinter rituals. With the rise of Christianity, the Mari Lwyd was appropriated by Christmas and New Year’s customs. Modern celebrations of the Mari Lwyd have experienced a revival, particularly in Wales, as communities seek to reconnect with their cultural heritage. Some villages hold lively parades or Mari Lwyd competitions, with festivals drawing large crowds from across the world.
Beyond Wikipedia’s reliable overview, Wales.com offers a fabulous look at “the midwinter majesty of the Mari Lwyd,” including historic footage of a pwnco from the BBC (available here), and in 2023 PBS’s Storied featured the following:
Since I didn’t have access to a horse skull (nor really the inclination to acquire one), I thought I’d make smaller Mari Lwyd hand puppets instead. Plus, I thought these would pair well with the Krampus figure I made for our holiday mantle (check it out on here).
To make the skulls, I sketched a rough outline of a horse’s skull in profile on corrugated cardboard. After cutting out this template, I used Activa Celluclay Instant Papier Mache to sculpt the skulls (available in craft stores and online here), building up the eye sockets and jawbones. After drying them thoroughly in an oven set at low heat (≈200°F), I sanded off any rough spots or odd globs. Admittedly they are quite primitive, but I’m not upset— it kind of adds to the vintage spooky charm!
I wanted to use up some crafting odds and ends for this project, and so I used surplus chopsticks left over from takeaway orders for the handle instead of purchasing dowels. Using a handheld drill, I drilled a small hole the diameter of a chopstick into the thickest part of the lower jaw, and then affixed the chopstick and fabric with a dot of super glue (I used plain white cotton because it’s what I had on hand, but use whatever you’d like!). After gluing beads into the eye sockets, I sewed bells onto the fabric and added some red and green ribbons.
Now, are they the most historically accurate hand puppets? Certainly not. I am, however, pleased with how they turned out and look forward to wassailing this winter!
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