The meaning of the word Mabinogion is not entirely clear, some believe it is derived from the Welsh word mabinogi, meaning ‘youthful career’ and others think it derives from the Welsh word mabinog, meaning to ‘aspire to bardic honour’.

 

The Mabinogion Woods is an area of woodland in Sandy Water Park on the south side of the lake that was created so that residents, visitors and parties of schoolchildren could not only explore the ancient story of Mabinogi, by finding representations of some of the characters dotted throughout but also to enjoy a relaxing walk through the woodland or sit on one of the many seats and see squirrels, birds, foxes etc. and, if you are very quiet and lucky, the beautiful but shy Jay.

 

The woods represent the magical lands in the tales, with the sculptures depicting various characters, such as the boar, Twrch Trwyth, who was chased by Culhwch as he tried to win the heart of Olwen (Twrch Trwyth was made by students attending a welding course at a local College and includes various items, such as spanners, a horseshoe, etc., that were collected from the area when the Duport steelworks were demolished).

The beautiful Blodeuwedd was made out of flowers (she is represented by the areas around the woods which are left as meadows where native wild flowers bloom) as a bride for Lleu but after falling for another she was turned into an owl, never to see daylight again (sadly you will not find the sculpture of an owl, which was carved out of a felled tree; someone deprived you of this pleasure by stealing it).

 

The Mabinogion myths are among the oldest in the world, with parts that are believed to date back to the Iron Age and, until around the 11thC, were told and preserved by travelling story tellers.

The Mabinogion was first translated into English by Lady Charlotte Guest in the 19thC (who was a truly remarkable woman) and it was she who named the collected manuscripts from the 14thC, the Mabinogion, in the mistaken belief that Mabinogion is the plural of Mabinogi (the individual stories) however, although technically incorrect, this is now the accepted title.

They consist of the four Branches of the Mabinogi: The four branches, or stories, begin with Pywll Lord of Dyved, next is Branwen Daughter of Llyr, then Manawyddan Son of Llyr and ends with Math son of Mathonwy and make an enjoyable read for old and young alike (most Welsh children will have a knowledge of the stories).

 

To discover more about the Mabingion a recommended site is:

www.timelessmyths.com/celtic/mabinogion.html

 

To discover more about the amazing Lady Charlotte Guest, a recommended site is:                               http://wbo.llgc.org.uk/en/s-GUES-ELI-1812.html 

 

Enjoy your visit and please remember, respect the flora and fauna, take only picture and memories, leave only footprints.

By Rod James