Welsh Boxing Day Tradition

GWYL SAN STEFFAN (St. Stephens Day; Boxing Day – December 26th):

The day after Christmas Day was celebrated in a way unique to Wales and included the tradition of “holly-beating” or “holming.” Young men and boys would beat the unprotected arms of young females with holly branches until they bled. In some areas it was the legs that were beaten. In others, it was the custom for the last person to get out of bed in the morning to be beaten with sprigs of holly. These customs died out before the end of the 19th century (luckily for young girls and those who like a lie-in!)

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senghenydd · M

There's also the New Years Eve road race Nos Galan .

The main race starts with a church service at Llanwynno, and then a wreath is laid on the grave of Guto Nyth Brân in Llanwynno graveyard. After lighting a torch, it is carried to the nearby town of Mountain Ash, where the main race takes place. The format of the race has changed several times over its history. The current race consists of three circuits of the town centre, starting in Henry Street and ending in Oxford Street, by the commemorative statue of Guto.

Ps I just received a pm from Yulianna 2 hrs ago she said she was going from one bad place to another, at least she's still alive.

SammyJo · 51-55, F

Wow! That is interesting! Not nice....but...interesting!

SJD x

SStarfish ·

Yikes

ninalanyon · 61-69, T

That reminds me of a BBC R4 programme I listened to this morning (26th December 2024) about the Germanic and East European Krampus runs: The Dead of Winter by Sarah Clegg, Episode 4: Punishing the Wicked

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