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Description
Calennig is the Welsh name for New Year's celebrations, traditionally observed on January 13. While most people across the world celebrate New Year on January 1, the Welsh follow a slightly different approach, celebrating on the 13th day after the Gregorian calendar's New Year's Day. It is a joyful and vibrant celebration focused on good fortune, community spirit, and honoring the ancient customs passed down through generations.
History
The origins of Calennig can be traced back to pre-Christian Wales. It was linked to the cycles of nature and the agricultural calendar. For centuries, ancient Celtic peoples celebrated the turn of the year with festivals that honored the earth’s renewal. These celebrations marked the end of winter and the hope for the arrival of spring, which was crucial for the survival of crops and livestock. As the Welsh people relied heavily on farming, rituals that promised good fortune, prosperity, and protection for the coming year were deeply significant.
By the Middle Ages, Calennig had evolved into a more social and communal celebration. It was during this time that the custom of "Cennad," an early form of gift-giving, became a prominent part of the festivities. Children would go from house to house, wishing the residents a happy and prosperous new year. In return, they would receive small tokens or gifts—typically food or coins—as a gesture of goodwill.
This practice of "Calennig singing" remains a key part of the celebration to this day. Children sing traditional Welsh New Year songs, such as "Nos Galan," which translates to "New Year's Night," in exchange for gifts. The custom not only spreads joy and happiness but also reinforces the community bond, with neighbors and families offering blessings and goodwill to one another.
One of the most iconic symbols of Calennig is the Calennig apple. The fruit, usually an apple or orange, is adorned with cloves and sometimes decorated with ribbons or other ornaments. This fruit, often given as a gift or placed in a household's doorway, is believed to bring good luck, health, and prosperity for the coming year. The use of cloves, which were historically expensive and considered exotic, adds a touch of elegance and importance to the gift.
The act of hanging these decorated apples on doorways is a symbolic gesture, representing the hope that the household will be protected from evil spirits and that good fortune will bless the family throughout the year. This custom links Calennig with a broader European tradition of placing greenery or lucky charms at entryways to bring in positive energy and ward off negativity.
Over time, the celebration of Calennig declined in some parts of Wales, particularly with the advent of the more widely recognized January 1 New Year’s Day celebrations. However, in recent years, there has been a revival of interest in this ancient Welsh tradition. Communities across Wales and within Welsh expatriate communities are embracing Calennig once again, appreciating its cultural significance and the opportunity to reconnect with their heritage.
How To Celebrate
1. Sing Traditional Welsh Calennig Songs
One of the most delightful ways to celebrate Calennig is through Calennig singing. Children (and adults) go door-to-door singing songs, such as "Nos Galan" (meaning "New Year’s Night"). In exchange for their singing, they receive small treats, coins, or other tokens of goodwill. This practice not only spreads joy and good wishes but also strengthens the sense of community.
Here are the lyrics of "Nos Galan" (often sung during Calennig):
“Nos galan, nos galan,
Nos galan, dydd y flwyddyn,
A wna i’m cyfaill fy nghalon,
Yn y flwyddyn newydd.”
(Translation: "New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Eve,
The night of the year,
I wish my friend good health,
In the new year to come.")
Gather your friends and family, learn the songs, and enjoy spreading the Calennig cheer through song!
2. Make and Decorate Calennig Apples
A key feature of Calennig is the Calennig apple, which is typically an apple decorated with cloves. These apples are either given as gifts or hung on doorways to attract good fortune and prosperity for the coming year. Making your own Calennig apples is a fun and creative tradition. Here’s how to do it:
- Step 1: Get a fresh apple or another fruit like an orange.
- Step 2: Using whole cloves, create decorative patterns or simple designs on the surface of the fruit.
- Step 3: If you like, add a ribbon or tie to the apple, and hang it on your door, or give it as a gift to a friend or neighbor.
3. Go Door-to-Door and Share Calennig Wishes
In true Welsh tradition, children (and sometimes adults) go from house to house, wishing neighbors health, prosperity, and good fortune for the new year. This practice is called "Cennad", and it's similar to caroling, but with a distinct Welsh twist. When visiting friends and family, make sure to offer these heartfelt wishes and a song or two in return for small gifts or coins.
The exchange isn’t just about the treats—it’s about fostering a sense of community, spreading goodwill, and strengthening relationships. If you’re not in Wales, you can still adopt this tradition by going to see your neighbors, or even organizing a virtual Calennig sing-along!
4. Host a Calennig Gathering
If you’re looking to enjoy the day with friends and family, hosting a Calennig celebration is a wonderful way to bring people together. Here’s how to throw a memorable Calennig party:
- Decorate with Symbols of Prosperity: Use Calennig apples, ribbons, and festive decorations to create a welcoming atmosphere. You could even make an apple centerpiece adorned with cloves and ribbons.
- Serve Traditional Welsh Foods: Prepare or enjoy some Welsh delicacies, such as Welsh cakes (a type of griddle cake), cawl (a traditional Welsh soup), or bara brith (a spiced fruit loaf). These dishes offer a taste of Wales and will make your Calennig celebration feel authentic.
- Share Good Wishes: Before the meal or festivities begin, gather everyone together and exchange wishes for a happy and prosperous year. This is a key part of the Calennig celebration and adds a warm, heartfelt touch to your gathering.
- Sing or Play Welsh Music: You could organize a sing-along of Welsh New Year songs or play some traditional Welsh music during your gathering to immerse everyone in the celebration.
5. Gift Calennig Tokens for Good Luck
During Calennig, giving small gifts is a common practice. In addition to the Calennig apples, you could also give coins, treats, or symbolic items like candles or good luck charms. These tokens of good fortune help spread the tradition of generosity and goodwill. If you have children, they’ll love receiving little tokens as part of the celebration!
Amazing Facts
1. Calennig is Celebrated on January 13, Not January 1
While most of the world rings in the New Year on January 1, the Welsh celebrate it on January 13. This date aligns with ancient Celtic traditions and reflects the old lunar calendar, which is how the Welsh historically marked the new year. Calennig celebrates a fresh start and new beginnings, albeit a little later than the conventional New Year’s Day!
2. The Word "Calennig" Comes from Latin
The term Calennig comes from the Latin word calendae, meaning “the first day of the month.” This gives a clue as to why Calennig is associated with the start of the year—an important moment in Welsh tradition, much like the Latin calendae referred to the first day of the Roman month.
3. Calennig Apples are a Key Symbol
A quintessential part of the Calennig tradition is the Calennig apple. The fruit, typically an apple, is often decorated with cloves, forming intricate patterns or designs. This symbolic gesture is believed to bring good fortune, prosperity, and health for the upcoming year. Many people hang these decorated apples in their doorways, while others give them as gifts.
4. Calennig Singing Is a Popular Custom
One of the most joyful and widely practiced aspects of Calennig is Calennig singing. Children often go door-to-door, singing traditional Welsh songs, such as “Nos Galan” (which means "New Year’s Night"). In exchange for their performances, they receive small gifts, treats, or coins. This practice fosters a strong sense of community and togetherness.
5. The Tradition Dates Back Over 1,000 Years
The tradition of celebrating Calennig can be traced back over a thousand years, making it one of the oldest known Welsh customs. Historically, it was closely linked to the agricultural calendar, marking the end of winter and the hope for a bountiful year ahead. Over time, Calennig became a more social celebration, incorporating elements of singing, gift-giving, and good fortune.
6. Calennig Was Once Tied to Ancient Pagan Festivals
Like many other European traditions, Calennig’s origins are linked to ancient pagan celebrations. These early festivities marked the transition between the old year and the new, honoring the cycles of nature and hoping for favorable conditions for crops and livestock. Over time, the tradition evolved, but its agricultural and spiritual roots remain an important part of the celebration.
Why We Love
1. A Celebration of Welsh Heritage
One of the primary reasons people love Calennig is its deep connection to Welsh heritage. Calennig isn’t just a celebration of a new year; it is a celebration of Welsh identity and history. The traditions and customs associated with Calennig are part of a long cultural legacy that dates back to ancient Wales. For the Welsh people, celebrating Calennig means honoring their ancestors and passing down time-honored customs to future generations. It’s a meaningful way to keep cultural ties alive and ensure that the younger generation remains connected to their roots.
2. A Sense of Community and Togetherness
Calennig is deeply rooted in the spirit of community. Unlike modern New Year’s Eve celebrations that may feel more individualized or impersonal, Calennig is all about coming together with friends, family, and neighbors. The tradition of Calennig singing, where children go door-to-door singing New Year songs in exchange for treats or coins, fosters a sense of unity and neighborly connection.
3. Spreading Joy and Positivity
At its core, Calennig is all about spreading joy, happiness, and optimism. Just like any New Year celebration, Calennig symbolizes a fresh start, leaving behind any hardships or challenges of the previous year. The act of offering good wishes—whether through songs, blessings, or gifts—helps reinforce a sense of hope and renewal for the future. It’s a day dedicated to fostering positivity, making it a much-loved event for those who enjoy the sense of optimism that comes with a new year.
4. Unique Traditions and Fun Customs
Another reason people love Calennig is its blend of quirky and fun traditions. From singing traditional Welsh songs like Nos Galan to the decoration of Calennig apples, the customs associated with this celebration are full of charm and creativity. Children love going door-to-door to share their songs, while adults take pleasure in seeing the joy that the celebration brings to their communities.
5. A Refreshing Alternative to Other New Year Celebrations
In many parts of the world, New Year’s Eve is marked with grand parties, fireworks, and large celebrations. While this can be exciting, it may not suit everyone’s tastes. Calennig offers a more relaxed and intimate way to welcome the new year. It’s a celebration focused on community, simple joys, and meaningful connections, rather than on loud festivities or commercialized events.
6. A Celebration of Giving and Charity
The practice of giving small gifts or tokens of good luck is central to the Calennig tradition. Children going door-to-door in song aren’t just seeking treats—they are offering blessings in return. The exchange of small gifts, whether it’s coins, fruits, or decorated apples, reinforces the spirit of generosity and goodwill. For many, the opportunity to give and receive in such a personal, non-commercial way makes Calennig particularly meaningful.
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