Mari Lwyd T-Shirt (English Language Version)

The Mari Lwyd is a Welsh New Year Tradition. Little is known about its origins. Supposedly a hang over from an ancient rite performed in the days before Christianity came to Wales. In essence this is what it entails:

A horses skull, bleached with soil is bedecked in ribbons, bells and sometimes even jewels. It is held aloft on a stick. A long sheet, cloak or blanket is then shrouded around it and the person carrying it, to make it look like one gigantic creature, with a horses skull for a head with a human body and legs, walking upright. The Mari Lwyd (which means Grey Mare) is then led from door to door to all the cottages in the town as the new year approaches, accompanied by a troop of bawdy revellers and wassailers. The man leading the Mari Lwyd is called “the Seargent”. At each house they visit he poses a riddle to those inside. If they cannot answer, they must let the whole troop into their house, and let them have their fill of food and drink.

Then onto the next one.

This T shirt depicts the Mari Lwyd and on the back has the words of “the ballad of the Mari Lwyd”. a song sung to the rough tune of “Scarborough Fair” which captures the essence of what the Mari Lwyd is. I would like to say that the ballad dates back into the dark sands of time. But in reality I wrote them when I was bored, sitting on my own in the pub the other day. Don’t let that fact spoil your enjoyment though.

Detailed product information is as follows: