Women of The Mab - Ynysangharad Park
In stories from long ago, women are often there to look pretty, not say much, and wave fond farewells to men as they set off on great adventures. Sometimes it’s possible to think that these women didn’t have any voices at all as they say so little. Not so in The Mab! We think that these women had a lot to say, and we welcome you to this celebration of them. Our women are fierce and bold, clever and witty, smart and resilient. They make decisions and they make mistakes. They are very important people in their stories, and we are proud to give them new voices.
Follow The Mab Trail in Ynysangharad Park to find four story stones:
Story Stone 1
Rhiannon, Pwyll and the Hideous Claw a retelling of The First Branch of the Mabinogi
In Rhiannon, Pwll and the Hideous Claw, Rhiannon, a powerful, enchanting woman from the Otherworld joins this world only to face terrible trickery and punishment for a crime she didn’t commit. Forced to carry people on her back as if she were a horse she accepts her fate with inner strength, dignity and forgiveness.
Story Stone 2
Branwen and the Cauldron of Rebirth a retelling of The Second Branch of the Mabinogi
Birds also feature in Branwen and the Cauldron of Rebirth. Branwen’s mother has told her to open her heart and listen to the wisdom of the birds in times of trouble. The starlings talk to Branwen and she agrees that love will conquer all.
Story Stone 3
Happily Ever After a retelling of The Third Branch of the Mabinogi
Cigfa in Happily Ever After has fire in her belly, rides her horse like a warrior and uses her brain to save the day. Cigfa tells us how real life is much more interesting than your typical happy ever after story.
Story Stone 4
Meadowsweet and Magic a retelling of The Fourth Branch of the Mabinogi
Blodeuwedd, in Meadowsweet and Magic is a woman conjured entirely from flowers because a man wants a wife. Unhappy with the arrangement, she plots her revenge. As punishment Blodeuwedd is transformed into an owl that she may never enjoy the light again.
The women of The Mab are strong and wild, magical and powerful, fallible and free spirited. Perhaps some of them are a bit like you?
Illustrated by Max Low
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