Welsh folklore facts for kids
Welsh folklore is a wonderful collection of stories, traditions, and beliefs from the Welsh people. It's filled with magical creatures, brave heroes, and ancient legends that have been shared from one generation to the next. These tales include everything from famous myths and fairy stories to local customs and songs.
Because Wales is a Celtic nation, its folklore has a lot in common with stories from Ireland and Scotland. It also shares connections with the folklore of England, Brittany (in France), and Cornwall, thanks to a long and shared history.
Contents
The Story of Welsh Folklore
The journey of Welsh folklore is a story of survival and pride. For centuries, these tales were kept alive by people who loved their culture, even during difficult times.
Keeping Traditions Alive
Hundreds of years ago, starting in the 1400s, new laws made it challenging for Welsh people to practice their culture openly. These laws made it hard for people who spoke Welsh to get important jobs or even own land in certain towns. This meant that the Welsh language and its rich traditions were mostly kept alive in the homes of ordinary people, rather than in official places.
Wealthier families began to adopt English customs and language. But among the common people, the old stories, poems, and songs were passed down from parents to children, ensuring they would not be forgotten.
A New Interest in Old Tales
By the 1700s, something amazing happened. People all over Wales became very interested in saving their ancient culture. Scholars and writers began to travel the country, collecting old stories and writing them down. This was a time when people felt a great sense of pride in being Welsh and wanted to protect their heritage.
This passion continued into the 1800s. In 1847, a government report known as the "Treachery of the Blue Books" was published. It was very critical of Welsh culture and education. Many Welsh people felt this was unfair, and it made them even more determined to celebrate and share their unique folklore. In a way, these challenges helped Welsh folk culture to become even stronger.
Where Do These Stories Come From?
Welsh folklore has been passed down in many ways, from ancient books to songs sung by the fire.
Ancient Writings
Some of the earliest written clues to Welsh folklore can be found in very old books. One example is the Historia Brittonum ("History of the Britons"), written around the 9th century. This book mixes history with legends, giving us an early peek at some of the myths and heroes of Wales.
The Bards and Their Poems
For centuries, professional poets called bards were the keepers of Welsh history and culture. They memorized and performed long poems and stories about heroes, battles, and magic. Famous bards like Taliesin included bits of folklore in their work, helping to keep the traditions alive for everyone to hear.
Collecting the Tales
For a long time, most folk tales were only spoken or sung. It wasn't until the 1800s that people started to seriously collect and publish them in books.
- One of the first English books was The Cambrian Popular Antiquities (1815) by Peter Roberts.
- A popular Welsh-language collection was Ystên Sioned ("Janet's Pitcher"), published in 1882.
- Magazines like Y Genhinen ("The Leek") were also created to encourage people to study and protect the amazing traditions of Wales.
Famous Figures and Creatures
Welsh folklore is full of unforgettable characters and magical beings.
Twm Siôn Cati
Often called the "Welsh Robin Hood," Twm Siôn Cati was a clever trickster who was famous for outsmarting the rich and powerful. Stories about him are full of fun, adventure, and cunning plans. He was also known as a respected poet and historian.
The Tylwyth Teg
The Tylwyth Teg (pronounced tul-with-teg) are the "Fair Folk," or fairies, of Welsh folklore. They are often described as beautiful and magical beings who live in a hidden world. Sometimes they are friendly to humans, but it was always wise to be respectful, as they could also be mischievous!
Dragons and Monsters
The most famous creature in Wales is the Red Dragon (Y Ddraig Goch), which is even on the Welsh flag. Legend says it represents the Welsh people in an ancient battle against a white dragon, which represented their enemies. Other tales speak of water monsters like the Afanc, a creature said to live in lakes and rivers.
See also
