Welsh Faeries, Fae or Fay Folk

 

Bwbach or Tylwyth Teg

I love the idea that something misplaced or missed has been hidden away by mischievous spirits, not just lost. Sometimes the antidote to this can be a proper 'Mummy look'. Things that are invisible to us males are often found in this way. In Wales, these spirits are called Bwbach, or "little Boos". Or Tylwyth Teg - literally 'Fair family' - fair folk?

 From British fairies:-

The bwbachod live and work on farms and are most noted for their robust and old-fashioned characters: it’s said that they most hate “Methodists and total abstainers.” They seem to have been widespread across the west of Wales in former times, if the naming of places is anything to go by. Examples run from Anglesey (Ynys Mon)- which has Nant y Bwbach (Brownie Valley) at Llanrhyddlad and Lon Bwbach (Brownie Lane) at Llanddyfnan- and thence southwards through Bryn y Bwbach (Brownie Hill) at Llandecwyn near Trawsfynydd and Twll y Bwbach (Brownie Hole) near Dolgellau as far south as Crug y Bwbach (Brownie’s Barrow) in Carmarthenshire and Gerrig y Bwbach (Brownie’s Stones) at Pentre-ty-gwyn near Ystradgynlais, to the south-west of the Brecon Beacons.

One tale tells of a Cardiganshire bwbach, who objected to a Baptist preacher staying in the house. This man “was much fonder of prayers than of good ale.” Taking exception to this sober piety, the bwbach therefore continually harassed the preacher, pulling away his stool or causing disturbance and clamour during his prayers. The bwbach finally drove the Baptist off by shapeshifting and giving him a terrible fright as he was crossing a field. The minister was reading his hymn-book as he walked on, when a sudden fear seized him. On looking round, he saw the mirror image of himself- in the same clothes and with the same hymn-book; he fainted, and decided to leave the house the next day. On mounting his horse the following morning, the grinning bwbach jumped up onto the saddle behind the preacher, and the horse instantly set off like lightning with eyes like balls of fire.

There are of course other faeries living in Wales, such as the noted 'Fairy of Doom' reputed to inhabit Llys Meddyg, Newport, Pembs, who terrorises waiting & kitchen staff attempting to slack in their duties....