Snacks, but with a Welsh bite!

The Mari Lwyd is a fascinating and rather eerie Welsh tradition, shrouded in mystery and folklore. At its heart is a spectral figure of an elaborately decorated horse skull mounted on a pole, draped in a flowing white sheet, decorated with ribbons, bells, and even ears made of metal. 

Traditionally has it that this ghostly figure is brought to life during midwinter, as locals take it from house to house, singing and engaging in poetic battles known as "pwnco". Lose the battle, and the Mari Lwyd bites!

The origins of the Mari Lwyd are cloaked in uncertainty, with some linking it to ancient pagan rituals and others to Christian celebrations. Its chilling yet festive presence is said to represent the blurred line between the living and the dead during the dark, cold months. To some, it’s a symbol of fertility and renewal, but encountering the Mari Lwyd in the flicker of candlelight feels like a brush with something... powerful and otherworldly. 

But fear not, the Mari Lwyd here is devoting her otherworldly energies to snacks! But feel free to have a chat with her, or challenge her to a bit of "pwnco," if you dare!