Allhallows Eve (Nos Calan Gaea)
The Eve of All Saints is known in Wales as "Nos Calan Gaeaf," and in former times there were many old customs in connection with it, most of which have…
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“Allhallows Eve (Nos Calan Gaea)” from Folk-Lore of West and Mid-Wales by Johnathan Ceredig Davies, 1911.
The Eve of All Saints is known in Wales as "Nos Calan Gaeaf," and in former times there were many old customs in connection with it, most of which have now disappeared. I have already given an account of the Love Charms and spells which were performed on this eve, and amongst other strange doings, the uncanny custom of going round the Church in order to see the spirit of a future husband or wife. But there was in some places another weird ceremony of going round the church at midnight, and look in through the keyhole in order to see the spectral forms, or to hear a spirit calling the names of all those who were to die in the neighbourhood during the year; that is during the coming twelve months from that date, which seems to suggest that the new year began at this time once in old times.
Many were afraid, especially children, of going out on Allhallow's Eve as the night among the Welsh was one of the "tair nos ysprydion" (three spirits' nights) as it was supposed that, the spirits were free to roam about, and a demon at large in the form of a "Hwch ddu gwta" (black sow without a tail)
"Nos Calau Gaea',
Bwbaoh ar bob camfa."
(On Allhallow's Eve,
A bogie on every stile.)
On this eve it was formerly the custom to kindle a bonfire, practice which continued to a more recent date in the Norths part of the Principality than in the South.
Besides fuel, each person present used to throw into the fire a small stone, with a mark whereby he should know it again. If he succeeded in finding the stone on the morrow, the year would be a lucky one for him, but the contrary if he failed to recover it.
Those who assisted at the making of the bonfire watched until the flames were out, and then somebody would raise the usual cry, when each ran away for his life, lest he should be found last, and be overtaken by the 'bogie.'(See "Celtic Folk-Lore," by Sir J. Rhys, page 225.)
When a boy, I well remember young men and boys who were full of mischief, making a hollow inside a turnip, and having put a candle in it, carried it about as a bogie to frighten timid people.
Allhallow's Eve is known in many parts of West Wales as “Nos twco fale," (apple snatching night), and the game of snatching apples, has been continued in some districts until only a few years ago. Apples and candles, fastened to strings, were suspended from the ceiling and the merry-makers in trying to catch the apple frequently got the candle instead, to the great amusement of those present. Another amusing custom was to try to bring up an apple with the teeth from a tub of water.
In some parts of the country, especially Carmarthenshire, it was customary to peel the apple carefully, and throw it, that is the peel, back over the head. Then when this peel had fallen on the floor behind one's back, particular notice was taken in what form it appeared, and whenever it resembled a letter of the Alphabet, the same was supposed to be the first letter of the Christian name of the thrower's future wife or husband.
Davies, Jonathan Ceredig. Folk-Lore of West and Mid-Wales. The Welsh Gazette, 1911.
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