The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #105621 Message #2176725
Posted By: Mick Tems
22-Oct-07 - 03:43 PM
Thread Name: Origins of Samhain
Subject: RE: Origins of Samhain
In Wales, "samhain" was called Nos Galan Gaeaf (the eve of the winter kalend) in which a number of customs were observed, including y caseg fedi (the harvest mare), y hwch ddu gwta (the tail-less black sow), y ladi wen (the white lady), coelcerth (jumping over a bonfire) and stwmp naw rhyw (a mash of nine sorts - a concoction of potatoes, turnips, carrots, milk, peas, pepper, salt, parsnips and leeks... it's really tasty!)
As always, the Welsh celebrated Nos Galan Gaeaf by lighting bonfires. In Gower, the country people would ask for soul-cake, which the farmers would give to them:
Souly, souly, Christendom Every good neighbour, give me some Give me some and give me none Give me a penny and I'll be gone If thou hasn't got a penny, a ha'penny will do If thou hasn't got a penny, God bless you.