14. Mari Lwyd: Wales’ Ghostly Horse Parade
The Mari Lwyd is a traditional Welsh custom celebrated between Christmas and New Year. A horse’s skull, adorned with ribbons and mounted on a pole, is carried by an individual hidden under a white sheet. This eerie figure, accompanied by a group of singers, visits homes, engaging residents in a poetic contest known as “pwnco.” The tradition blends ancient fertility rituals with festive merrymaking, offering a lively and unique celebration. (wales.com).
