To some people, Wales might seem like a small country in the United Kingdom. The green landscape deserves far more attention, however. Wales is beautiful and has a rich history. From its official heraldic symbol of the dragon to its many tasty food staples (like the delicious Welsh rarebit), Wales’ culture certainly runs deep. It’s no surprise, then, that the people of Wales love embracing where they come from.
You don’t have to wear a Welsh Lady corset and petticoat to show your love for Wales. Instead, try the following ways to embody your Welsh heritage.
Learn About Welsh History
Wales has an incredibly rich history. If you were born in or have lived in Wales, the chances are you already know that. How much of Welsh history are you familiar with, though? Most people know about the big stuff, such as large battle dates or who ruled when, but there is much more to learn. With all of Wales’s historic battles and castles, you’ll discover a never-ending education within the small green country.
Buy Yourself a Welsh Gift
Welsh people are often fiercely kind and giving, which is why there are so many traditional Welsh gifts! If you’re leaving Wales and want to take a part of the country with you, consider buying yourself a gift that reminds you of back home. Sometimes, it’s important to spoil yourself! While Welsh love spoons are traditionally given to those you have a crush on, you could still browse Welsh Gifts with Heart for a special item that will remind you of your home country. For example, a beautiful Welsh tapestry blanket or a Welsh dragon ornament!
Talk About Your Culture
Unfortunately, many people who are not from Wales or don’t know much about the country often conflate it with the rest of Britain. As a Welsh person, you will know that Wales has its own identity. In fact, throughout history Wales has had its own language and cultural nuances which have been strongly held onto which might be completely foreign to hose even a few miles over the border.
To truly embrace your Welsh heritage while teaching others about what makes it so special, start talking about your culture more. You might just learn some surprising facts about Wales along the way!
Plant Daffodils
Daffodils are a symbol of Wales, often planted around the country in the run-up to St Davids’s Day. So, if you want to embrace your Welsh culture, why not plant a bunch of daffodils in your garden? Even if you’re not in Wales while you do it, the sight of the beautiful yellow flowers will surely make you wistfully remember your home country.
Celebrate St David’s Day
After you’ve planted your daffodils and taken in their bright beauty, don’t forget to celebrate Saint David’s Day! This feast festival celebrates the 6th Century figure of Saint David, and the Welsh people love to do so in style. On this day, you’ll find a number of parades, festivals, Welsh flags, music, traditional Welsh dress, and much more! Even if you’re not in Wales on the actual day, you should celebrate it in any way you can.
Speak the Welsh Language
Do you speak Welsh? If you do, consider speaking your native language a little more when you’re in Wales. For example, when you’re riding the bus or going to the shop, try making small talk in Welsh. Don’t forget to speak the language with your family, too!
If you don’t know Welsh, that’s OK – you can always start small and learn over time! Unfortunately, the number of people who speak fluent Welsh dropped to around 530,000 in 2021, so it’s important for the people of Wales to start speaking and teaching their beautiful language more.
Cook Welsh Food
If Wales were a restaurant, its menu would be both interesting and delicious! Whether living in Wales or otherwise, embrace your Welsh culture by making some of the traditional Welsh dishes – preferably from scratch. Here are some of the best Welsh food to try making:
- Welsh Rarebit
- Bara Brith
- Welsh Cakes
- Welsh Lamb Soup
- Glamorgan Sausage
- Teisen Lap
Watch the Rugby
Wales and rugby go hand in hand. It’s Wales’ favourite sport, and there’s nothing like the atmosphere when a Welsh rugby team has just won the cup! Watching rugby while in Wales is the best way to do it, especially if you can physically attend a match. Even if you’re away, though, you should still put the Welsh rugby on the TV to keep up with all the latest excitement!
Enjoy – or Play – Welsh Music
Do you need a quick way to get back in tune with your Welsh heritage? Simple – all you need to do is play some Welsh music. Welsh music is beautiful, with the Cerdd Dant music, in particular, being a stand-out. Or, you could simply stick on some Tom Jones as you go about your day!
If you are musically gifted, you could even go a step further by playing or singing some Welsh music, either alone or in a group.
Visit Wales
Are you no longer living in Wales but don’t want to let the Welsh culture leave you? Don’t forget to visit the beautiful Welsh landscape from time to time. Take in the beauty of Snowdonia. Visit the various castles to learn more about their history. Of course, you should also visit your home town to remember all the incredible memories you had there. You never know – you might just end up being tempted enough to move back!
If you’re still living in Wales, you can embrace your Welsh culture even more by venturing out of your city/town and discovering new places in Wales. Sure – it’s a small country, but there is still so much to see, from castles to waterfalls to old towns.
Let Your Welsh Heritage Shine Through
Whether you move to another part of the world or stay in the green country of Wales, it’s important to embrace your culture, taking it with you wherever you go. You can do just that in the most enjoyable ways, from eating delicious Welsh cakes to visiting stunning historic castles throughout the Welsh countryside.
