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AssetID: 50970156

Headline: Photographer Captures Welsh Tradition 'Mari Lwyd'

Caption: PICTURE SHOWS: The Green Cob As the nights grow long during the Christmas and New Year season, a traditional folk custom known as the Mari Lwyd, which translates to “Grey Mare” or “Holy Mary,” is celebrated in parts of Wales. The Mari is a horse skull (alternatively a wooden or cardboard skull) mounted on a pole, draped with a cloth and adorned with ribbons and other beautiful festive decorations. Accompanied by musicians playing folk music and singing Welsh songs, the mischievous Mari character is taken around to entertain communities. Historically she would knock on doors requesting to gain permission to enter a household by exchange of pwnco verses - once permission is granted the household would be blessed with good luck for the coming year. In modern times she can also be seen visiting the local pub.

Keywords: Mari Lwyd, Welsh tradition, folk, horse skull, mask

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