Who Are the Welsh?
The Welsh (Cymry) are a Celtic people native to Wales (Cymru), a nation within the United Kingdom on the western peninsula of the island of Britain. Approximately 3 million people live in Wales, with about 900,000 speaking Welsh (Cymraeg)āmaking it the most widely spoken Celtic language and one of Europe's oldest living languages. The Welsh are descendants of the ancient Britons who inhabited Britain before Anglo-Saxon settlement; the name "Welsh" comes from the Anglo-Saxon word for "foreigner" (wealh), while "Cymry" means "fellow countrymen."
Cymraeg: The Welsh Language
Welsh is among the oldest continuously spoken languages in Europe, with literature dating to the 6th century. Despite centuries of English dominance and the infamous "Welsh Not" policy that punished schoolchildren for speaking Welsh, the language survived. Since the 1960s, language activism has achieved remarkable success: Welsh-medium schools educate thousands, Welsh-language television (S4C) broadcasts nationally, and the Welsh Language Act ensures official status. While concentrated in northern and western Wales, Welsh is increasingly spoken throughout the country and by diaspora worldwide.
Eisteddfod Tradition
The Eisteddfod is a uniquely Welsh institutionāa competitive festival of literature, music, and performance. Dating to medieval bardic traditions, the National Eisteddfod held annually is the largest cultural festival in Europe. Conducted entirely in Welsh, it features poetry, singing, drama, and art competitions. The Gorsedd of Bards, a neo-druidic institution, conducts elaborate ceremonies including the chairing of the winning poet. The Eisteddfod has been crucial to maintaining Welsh language and culture, providing a stage where Welsh identity is celebrated and renewed.
Choral and Musical Heritage
Wales is known as "the land of song," with a strong choral tradition developed through chapel singing, male voice choirs (emerging from mining communities), and competitive singing. Hymn singing remains important, with Welsh hymns like "Cwm Rhondda" known internationally. The harp is Wales's national instrument, with the triple harp a distinctly Welsh form. Contemporary Welsh music ranges from rock bands singing in Welsh (Super Furry Animals, Manic Street Preachers) to traditional folk. Musical expression remains central to Welsh identity.
Devolution and Identity
Wales was formally annexed to England in 1536, but Welsh identity persisted through language, culture, and eventually political organization. The Welsh nationalist party Plaid Cymru, founded in 1925, campaigned for self-governance. In 1999, devolution created the Welsh Parliament (Senedd Cymru), with powers over education, health, and local government. Independence movements have grown, though Wales remains part of the UK. Welsh identity navigates between distinctiveness from England and cooperation within Britain, with language serving as the most significant marker of difference.
References
- Davies, J. (1993). A History of Wales
- Williams, G. A. (1985). When Was Wales? A History of the Welsh
- Jenkins, G. H. & Williams, M. A. (2000). The Welsh Language and Its Social Domains