HISTORICALLY SPEAKING WALES PATCH PROGRAM
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1. Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and is surrounded by water on three sides and England on the other side. Locate Wales on a map and its Capital. Identify it’s flag. The capital city is Cardiff. Wales flag is green and white with a red dragon.

2. The two official languages of Wales are English, spoken by almost all citizens and Welsh. Welsh is spoken by about 20% of people, and all the traffic signs are in both English and Welsh. Choose a language to learn how to speak a phrase or some words.

3. Traditional dishes include laverbread (made from laver, an edible seaweed), bara brith (fruit bread), Cawl (lamb stew), cawl cennin (leek soup), and Welsh lamb. There are a variety of bread and pastries like bread pudding, current bread, fruit bread, and Welsh cakes. Wales has adapted many of Great Britain's traditional dishes as well. Try some foods from Wales or make a recipe.

4. There are traditional holidays celebrated in Wales that are not shared with the remainder of the United Kingdom, like St. David's Day. A major cultural festival in Wales is called the Eisteddfod festival. It is conducted in Welsh and includes many traditional Welsh activities. Visit a cultural celebration or re-creation of a holiday event OR learn the background of the celebrated holiday or festival. You may also create a drawing or art project, or prepare a food.

5. Folk musicians use a variety of instruments for singing and dancing. Wales has a large variety of Welsh folk dances including Farmers Fancy, Lazy Robin, and the Jackdaw. There are many dances preformed on the National annual Eisteddfod festival stage that brings dances to life. Watch a dance OR listen to music OR sing a song OR learn more information about a dance or instrument from Wales.

6. Legends, stories and myths surrounding the Welsh culture are traditionally passed down through history orally. This means that the stories were told by a storyteller, not written down. Eventually the stories were written down, but for ages, they were told by a village storyteller whose job was to tell stories. These stories date back to ancient Celtic traditions. Read a story, legend, OR listen to a legend or play.

7. During the Iron age and Medieval times, Wales was dominated by a group of people known as the Celts. Through time, Wales has gained its identity as a Celtic nation because of these Celtic origins and has a history rich in its culture. Learn more about the Celts and their culture OR complete a craft.

8. In the months from October to January the weather is wet and rainy in Wales. It is also known to be one of the wettest countries because of the often cloudy, wet and windy weather. Find some rainy day activities that you and your friends can do on a cloudy day, just like in Wales.

9. Welsh handicrafts reflect back to their Celtic origins. A traditional craft is the Welsh love spoon. Many years ago, a young man would carve his lover a spoon and give it to her. If the woman accepted the gift, then the couple would be engaged. Create a craft or project using a traditional a skill OR representing Wales, OR observe someone creating a handicraft, OR view them on the internet or books.

10. The traditional Welsh female costume is very recognizable to their culture. It consists of a gown (betgwn), and undershirt, a cape, a shawl, a handkerchief, apron, and crown. The most recognizable of this outfit is the Welsh Hat. It is a broad, stiff flat brim hat. It was originally made of felt, however now it is made of black silk. Men’s outfits are generally the same as men in Briton, consisting of a waistcoat, a jacket, a neckerchief, a pair of breeches, wool stockings and a black felt hat. Draw a picture of the clothing, dress up in a Wales themed costumes, create an accessory or pagne, complete our paperdolls OR view traditional clothing through books or the internet or our country manual.

11. There are a variety of games that played in Wales by children. Learn a traditional game OR play a game that symbolizes Wales OR play a water game OR play a game in our manual. Some examples include: Conkers, Oranges and Lemons, and Jacks.