How can we understand the Mabinogi? With Dr Gwilym Morus-Baird.

[@HafEvans]

This was very helpful for my homework! Thank you

[@Clink__]

Hi there It’s clink here. My daughter Mae is home educated. And wants to learn Welsh so here I am and found your channel!! Amazing stuff Look at you a Dr and everything. Much love Clink

[@mariamerigold]

Your videos teach me so much about my country, thank you

[@CelticSource]

croeso

[@Emmanuevans]

Great video, thank you. Learning the inherited values of these early Welsh cultures is fascinating. It makes you contemplate just how much we have lost to time. I’m trying to understand more to supplement a series of artworks based on early Welsh art, literature and culture and it is no small subject

[@CelticSource]

A whole culture is never a small subject, no :)

[@TheCirclingMowass]

Best example of how storytelling works I've heard.

[@CelticSource]

that's quite the compliment, thanks!

[@Legobricks-g3n]

I have always read the 1st branch and found a connection between part 1 and part 2. I personally see that Pwyll's visit to annwfn triggers his meeting with Rhiannon

[@CelticSource]

W.J. Gruffydd was thinking along similar lines I reckon.

[@sisterpatience22]

PS. Does Gruffydd say anything about whether he thinks the conception of Mongan tale with Manannan in it relates to Rhiannon's relationship with Manawydan in the Third Branch? It's a long while since I read 'Rhiannon'.

[@SybilKibble]

Diolch yn fawr!

[@Davlavi]

Nice tutorial.

[@CelticSource]

You're welcome.

[@jamescarruthers1967]

I had a quick Google after watching your video and was very interested to find that Fiachna and Mongan are semi-historical. And in the version of the story I found the battle happens in Scotland, allied to the almost definitely historical Aidan mac Gabran, against the Saxons, presumably of Northumbria. Not trying to argue the events of the story are in anyway historical, but it's interesting that this puts it right in the sphere of the Welsh Hen Ogledd and all the Welsh legends based there. I don't think the Mabinogi ever locates itself anywhere in the Hen Ogledd, but there are some links...

[@CelticSource]

Using history (or memorialised events in this case) as the basis for myth is certainly a big part of many traditions. You wont be the first or the last to make that connection!

[@theimaginarium]

Dr. Morus-Baird, are you familiar with E. J. Witzel's book "The Origins of the World's Mythologies"? It's a fascinating read, but I would have loved more Celtic amplification. Just curious if you've heard of it, and if so, what your thoughts were on it in terms of the Celtic descendants of his reconstructed "Laurasian" mythology. Best, Erik

[@CelticSource]

Yes I've heard about this book from elsewhere. I have not read it but as the third prompt I will have to! Thanks for the nudge and the recommendation.

[@theimaginarium]

@@CelticSource it's definitely a bombastic read so far. I definitely don't agree with everything he says, but it's certainly thought provoking!

[@sisterpatience22]

For me the imagery in the First Branch suggests that Arawn's wife is Rhiannon. If so I wonder whether her decision to ride out to seduce Pwyll stems from Pwyll-as-Arawn's refusal to sleep with her combined with her noticing that Arawn-as-Pwyll has some of Arawn's otherworldly attractions thus she is drawn to him instead? Then Arawn is jealous of Pwyll and takes his form in order to conceive Pryderi then has some role in his taking to the Otherworld. Does he send the monster with the claw? Or is the monster acting on its own agency or even that of some other Annuvian power to snatch the son of the King and Queen of Annwn?

[@matthewb5050]

✋ ρгό𝔪σŞｍ