Welsh TraditionsWelsh TraditionsMy Heritage

By: Katy Gray

What is What is this?this?

This is a figurine made out of coal from

Wales.The girl is wearing a

traditional Welsh dress and she appears to be playing a harp. It was a gift from my Uncle.

Initial ObservationInitial ObservationThis figurine appears to be a Welsh girl playing a harp.

The girl is wearing a long, fancy dress and a tall hat.

I noticed the size of the figurine is less than 10cm in height and 8cm in width.

It is completely black. The bottom is felt.

The figurine is smooth and is not very heavy.

The sticker on the bottom reads, "made with coal from Wales".

Formulating QuestionsFormulating QuestionsWhat is significant about this artifact?

Why is the girl wearing this dress and playing a harp? Is it a costume?

Is the harp significant?

In the past did all women wear this type of dress? Was it just for special occasions? Did it signify social class?

What era is it from?

What did men dress like?

Is coal a prominent resource in Wales?

How did women in other countries dress during this time period?

Framing QuestionFraming QuestionHow do different cultures celebrate family traditions?

Focus questions...

What is significant about my family's culture and traditions? What are some traditions that used to be celebrated in Wales, but no longer are? What are some traditions from the past that we still celebrate? What are some ways in which some traditions have stayed the same or changed over time? When did Welsh women stop wearing traditional hats and dresses and why?

Collecting EvidenceCollecting EvidenceI spoke to my dad about the Welsh figurine. (He explained that coal is common in Wales. He said the girl in the figurine is dressed that way because that's how women used to dress).

I emailed my Uncle to request more information about the figurine that he gave to me. He directed me to a few helpful websites.

Conducted some Internet research.

Looked at more Welsh artefacts and decided to compare the figurine to other Welsh artefacts.

Primary ResourcesPrimary ResourcesI chose to examine some other Welsh artifacts. I looked at a Welsh doll and examined her outfit. I noticed the tall black hat and the fancy dress. I examined a Welsh love spoon. It is a beautifully carved spoon made out of wood. I also examined a tea towel from Wales with some Welsh words on it. It also has a Welsh lady wearing a traditional Welsh dress and tall black hat.

Welsh doll

Welsh love spoon

Tea towel

Secondary ResourcesSecondary Resources

I spoke to my father about the artifacts. He was born in England, but his father was from Wales.

I corresponded with my Uncle and cousin who currently live in Wales.

www.museumwales.ac.uk

www.collieryroad.com

www.wales.com

Interpret and Analyze Interpret and Analyze DataData

This artifact relates to the Social Studies Thinking Concept of Continuity & Change, as it represents the historical traditions in Wales. We can explore what has stayed the same in Wales and what has changed over time.

This artifact also relates to the concept of Significance. This artifact may be significant to me, but may not be significant to other people.

(Curriculum, 2013, p. 58-59)

Links to CurriculumLinks to CurriculumThis artifact relates to the Grade 2 curriculum. Strand A examines Heritage and Identity: Changing Family and Community Traditions. This artifact could be used throughout this strand as it relates to traditions and celebrations overtime and different groups of people. (Curriculum, 2013, p. 74).

This artifact also relates to the grade 6 Social Studies curriculum. Strand A examines Heritage and Identity: Communities in Canada, Past and Present. This strand examines contributions to Canada's identity as well as examining significant experiences and major changes in communities. (Curriculum, 2013, p. 118).

Links to Children's Links to Children's LiteratureLiterature

The following books can be found on www.childrenslibrary.org

“Calling the Doves”, by Juan Felipe Herrara

This is the story of a migrant worker family from Mexico. The book looks at their history and story of travelling from Mexico to California. The book is written in English and Spanish.

“I Remember 121” by Francine Haskins

This book looks at the family life of a girl growing up in a traditional extended African-American community in the 1950’s.

Links to Children's Links to Children's LiteratureLiterature

The following books can be found on Tumblebooks.

“The Inuit Thought of It”, by Altook Ipellie

This book examines the history of the Inuit. It looks at the past and also connects it to present life in the Arctic.

“Ruby’s Wish” by Shiran Bridges

This book tells the story of a Chinese girl and her dream of going to University while living in a traditional culture and family where that is not usually acceptable.

“Sammy Spider’s First Shabbat” by Sylvia Rous

This book is part of a series of books about a spider that discovers various celebrations and traditions. This book follows the spider as he watches the Shapiro family get ready for Shabbat.

Evaluating Data and Evaluating Data and Drawing ConclusionsDrawing Conclusions

My grandfather was born in Wales and my Uncle still lives there. Wales is a westernized country. Some traditions have changed and some have stayed the same. I looked up the history of the Welsh 'national' dress which was popular during the nineteenth century. It seems that women dressed this way as a "conscious revival" at a time when Welsh traditional values were being challenged. Welsh women wore these open fronted bed gowns, with an apron and a shawl. It seems that red, white and black were the common colours. The tall black hats were worn by men and women. (www.museumwales.ac.uk)

Although people in Wales do not dress like this anymore, my cousin told me that children still dress up in traditional Welsh costume on St. David's day, which is celebrated on March 1st.

My inquiry also lead me to some other Welsh traditions and customs. The figurine shows the girl playing the harp. I discovered that the harp is the national instrument for Wales. I didn't realize that it was significant.

I also found out more about the Welsh love spoon. It was custom for young men to carve beautiful spoons out of wood for their sweethearts. The symbols that were carved had meanings. For example, a heart meant steadfast love and a cross meant faith.

I also discovered some other traditions that my family does not celebrate here in Canada, but some people still celebrate them in Wales. Noson Gyflaith is the tradition of making taffy on Christmas Eve. Plygain is the tradition of singing carols in church on Christmas morning between the hours of 3:00 -6:00 a.m. I don't think I'll be carrying on that tradition!

ReferencesReferences

www.museumwales.ac.uk

www.collieryroad.com

www.wales.com

Ministry of Education. (2013). The Ontario Curriculum: Social Studies, Grades 1-8. Toronto: Queen's Printer for Ontario.