A bewitching history

WHICH WITCH IS WHICH?

As Halloween looms, Lowri Llewelyn talks to Efa Lois – and discovers that North Wales has got quite a bewitching history…

Witches have had a tough old time throughout history, with torture, hanging and being burned at the stake all hazards of the job.

Between 1482 and 1782, 40-50,000 people across Europe were accused of witchcraft and murdered – though ‘luckily’, only five witches were ever executed in Wales. In her project Gwrachod Cymru (Welsh Witches), Efa Lois documents witches from across the nation.

“Welsh folklore has always been a part of my art; even in primary school, I was portraying figures from Welsh

mythology,” she explains. “The legends and women of Welsh

history are still an integral part of my artwork. In more recent years I’ve focused on less familiar aspects of Welsh folklore – such as witches.

“For some years I’ve been collecting books about Welsh

mythology and old articles in order to compile some sort of archive of Welsh witches. What is interesting about these ‘witches’ is that some feel more mythical than others, and it is likely that most myths are inspired by real women.”

So far the fruits of her labour have produced two prints – Welsh Witches, and Welsh Witches II – which document

BETWEEN 1482 AND 1782, 40-50,000 PEOPLE ACROSS EUROPE WERE ACCUSED OF WITCHCRAFT AND MURDERED – THOUGH ‘LUCKILY’, ONLY FIVE WITCHES WERE EVER EXECUTED IN WALES

60 witches in all. In 2019 and 2020 she shared an image

of a witch along with her legend on Instagram every day throughout the month of October.

“These witches were often blamed for things people didn’t understand,” she continues. “Contrary to the frightening portrayal of witches in films and storybooks, most simply heal those around them through herbal remedies, along with rituals and chants.”

Efa shares some of her most interesting discoveries. “Legend has it that Lowri and Siân Owen were witches who lived in Llanarmon, near Pwllheli. They ran a school in a cottage and

were able to cast out unclean spirits and demons by holding ceremonies, anticipating a need or want in the ebb and flow

of the sea.”

Meanwhile, just outside the Eryri national park: “Local legend has it that there is a large oak tree at the crossroads between Conwy and Betws-y-Coed near Llanrwst. There was a witch called Beti the Baten who lived in the tree. She would hear all the things that people would say about her as they walked past. One day she heard that someone was going to burn the tree, with her in it, so she fled the area.”

Then there’s Sara’r Gadwen, a witch from Rhoslan. “Legend has it, she had the ability to predict the future by using the chain that hung above her fireplace. She also had the

ability to create medicine from herbs, read the stars and communicate with ghosts.”

But Sara wasn’t Rhoslan’s only mysterious resident. “The people of Llanfrothen were afraid of Mallt the witch. Legend has it that she was from Rhoslan, near Criccieth, but no one from Rhoslan had heard of her. Legend has it that Mallt would get her clothes and food from the people of Llanfrothen free of charge, as they feared her.”

A love of animals appears to be a theme among Welsh witches. “The people of Beddgelert were fearful of Beti Ifan. A local poacher created problems for her, as he was not afraid of her. To avenge the poacher, Beti turned herself into a duck, sneaking behind him when he was poaching and quacking loudly. Beti always ensured she was a little beyond

his reach so that he was unable to shoot her!”

Meanwhile, there’s Siwsi Dôl y Clochydd from Llanfachtraeth. According to myth, at one time there were many deer in the area, whom the lord of Nannau enjoyed hunting. But, however close he got to the animals, he could never capture them near the River Glas; when the dogs were upon them, the deer would leap over the river and out of sight. Eventually, the lord decided Siwsi was responsible, and that she was herself morphing into the form of a doe and evading hunters in order to protect the rest of the herd. A bridge was built over the river and named ‘The Bridge of the Doe’s Leap’.

When asked whether there will be a Welsh Witches III, Efa is tight-lipped, insisting: “We’ll see!” n

Limited edition prints of Efa’s work are available at her Etsy shop Rhithganfyddiad. Be sure to follow her on Twitter and Instagram @efalois

Lowri Llewelyn is a North Wales based journalist who is endlessly curious [read: nosy] and loves everything to do with this beautiful region that she is lucky enough to call home.

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