Mari Lwyd

By Crusader1307

In Wales (UK), a ''Mari Lwyd'' is a Folk Custom, traced back to 1800 AD. Perhaps linked to Christmas Traditions, The Mary Lwyd is a Horse Skull, attached to a wooden Pole. The Head and Pole is covered with a sack cloth, and resembles a giant hand puppet. Traditionally, The Mari Lwyd is paraded from House to House, where participants ''knock on doors, demanding entry''. Normally, this is declined. It is thought, that The Tradition is related to The Birth of Jesus (with Mary and Joseph being denied accommodations). Should a Home allow access to The Mary Lwyd, The Owner had to provide ''food and drink''. It is still performed today in some portions of Wales.