A Fairy Fusion
The Bendith y Mamau, whose name translates to “Blessing of the Mothers” in Welsh, are a peculiar and often feared race of fairies in Welsh folklore. Unlike the more commonly known fair folk who are renowned for their beauty and grace, the Bendith y Mamau are described as stunted and grotesque, resembling a twisted fusion of goblins and fairies. Some stories suggest they are the result of interbreeding between these two supernatural races, creating a clan that is neither wholly one nor the other.
Appearance and Behavior
These creatures are known for their unsightly features, a stark contrast to the ethereal elegance of traditional fairies. Despite their homely appearance, they have a reputation for their enchanting music, which is said to be both haunting and beautiful. The Bendith y Mamau rarely engage with mortals directly but are notorious for their habit of stealing human children. Unlike more typical fairy abductions, which usually involve newborns, they have been known to take children who can walk and talk, replacing them with their own deformed offspring known as crimbils.
Child Abductions and Changelings
The Bendith y Mamau’s motivations for kidnapping children are uncertain. Some say they do so out of envy for human beauty, while others believe they seek to integrate their own kind into human society. A changeling child left in place of a stolen human child is often sickly, unpleasant in temperament, and rarely thrives in its new home. Parents deperate to recover their lost children sometimes turn to witches or wise folk who can perform the necessary spells and rituals to compel the fairies to return the stolen child. When this happens, the human child has no memory of their time in the fairy realm, aside from a lingering recollection of hearing strangely sweet, otherwordly music.
Encounters and Protections
The Bendith y Mamau are reclusive and seldom seen by mortals. However, they have been known to take offense when disrespected, particularly if their name is spoken in a derogatory manner. To appease them, people traditionally left offerings of milk or bread outside their homes. These gifts were believed to prevent mischief and placate the fairies, ensuring that their “blessing” was one of protection rather than misfortune.
Connections to Other Mythological Figures
The Bendith y Mamau share similarities with changeling myths found across Europe. In Irish folklore, the Aos Sí (or Tuatha Dé Danann) are also known to steal human children, replacing them with weak fairy substitutes. The Scottish “Sith” and the German “Erlking” are similarly associated with child abductions. Additionally, their connection to haunting music draws comparisons to the Scandinavian Huldra and the Germanic Lorelei, both of whom use their melodies to bewitch mortals.
While grotesque and unsettling, the Bendith y Mamau remain a fascinating and enigmatic part of Welsh fairy lore, embodying both the capricious nature of the fae and the deeply rooted fearrs surrounding child abduction in pre-modern societies.