How well do you know Halloween in Wales?
Wales has its own Halloween traditions, and some of them are actually pretty strange.
So we thought we would put together a quick quiz and see how much you know about Calan Gaeaf and some of the old Welsh Halloween traditions.
1. What is the Welsh name for Halloween?
A) Calan Gaeaf
B) Calan Mai
C) Gŵyl Dewi
D) Noson Nadolig
2. What is the Hwch Ddu Gwta?
A) A headless horse
B) A tailless black sow
C) A Welsh witch
D) A giant black dog
3. What does Ladi Wen mean?
A) The Black Lady
B) The Old Lady
C) The White Lady
D) The Witch Lady
4. What was traditionally lit as part of Halloween celebrations in Wales?
A) Lanterns
B) Bonfires
C) Candles
D) Torches
5. According to old Welsh folklore, what could happen if you were the last person to leave the Halloween fire?
A) The White Lady would appear
B) The Hwch Ddu Gwta could get you
C) You would have bad luck for a year
D) You would have to relight the fire
6. Which of these is actually part of Welsh Halloween folklore?
A) The Tailless Black Sow
B) The Pumpkin King
C) The Red Dragon Witch
D) The Swansea Skeleton
7. Calan Gaeaf traditionally marked the start of what?
A) Spring
B) Summer
C) Autumn
D) Winter
8. According to old Welsh beliefs, when were ghosts said to appear at the stiles?
A) Sunrise
B) Midday
C) Midnight
D) Lunchtime
9. You are walking home after a Halloween night out in Swansea and hear something behind you. What are you doing?
A) Turning around
B) Running
C) Pretending you heard nothing
D) Texting the group chat
We are not saying there is a right answer to this one.
10. Last one. Which would you least want to see on your walk home?
A) The Ladi Wen
B) The Hwch Ddu Gwta
C) A massive spider
D) A seagull that has spotted your chips
So, how did you do?
8–10: You actually know your Welsh Halloween stuff
5–7: Not bad
2–4: You clearly need to do some reading
0–1: Probably best to stay inside this Halloween
The answers
A — Calan Gaeaf
B — A tailless black sow
C — The White Lady
B — Bonfires
B — The Hwch Ddu Gwta could get you
A — The Tailless Black Sow
D — Winter
C — Midnight
Questions 9 and 10 are just for fun.
