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when I drew this comic 3 years ago I had NO idea how far it would reach. I'm happy to finally share a corrected version with proper abbreviations, and even MORE state names of indigenous origin ♥️

however, the goal of this comic was to inspire people to do your OWN research on indigenous history. To question everything we have been taught, and everything that has been pointedly left out. This erasure, this “forgetting”, of history is not just of the past… it is happening now. - Across so-called Canada, the US, and US-occupied islands, native women are victims of murder at 10-12x the rate of non-native people, and are the most likely to go missing without being searched for by the law. - Native reservations have the highest rates of poverty in the US, with over HALF of tribal homes with no access to clean water (with more joining this list by the year) - Native people are 6-10x more likely to be unhoused than the rest of the population, and native teens suffer suicide rates higher than any other demographic. This list of modern day genocide goes on (thank you for compiling @theindigenousanarchist <3) and yet take a look at those environmental stats!

Native people manage to do SO much for the planet as a whole - thanklessly - and with all this stacked against them. Don't even get me started on kin fighting in south america. Could you imagine if there was help? #landback is resistance to genocide, and it is the key to saving our warming earth.

So look into it and the other hashtags, cuz a cartoon goose ain't a substitute for a proper education. Love to my grandparents who always kept a map of tribal territories of turtle island on their wall, to speaking on our Tsalagi & Saponi heritage. Love & solidarity forever, happy research, and happy #indigenouspeoplesday

LANDBACK.ORG

(Also, if you care to support the artist, I'm publishing a book ! and writing another - a fantastical afroindigenous graphic novel - that I post exclusively about with tons of other art on my patreon.)

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@gwalch-mei @dullyn some mango for u both

Reblog to give a trans person a fresh and perfectly ripe mango wait huh

It's the wikipedia image??? How big could it be

What

Huh???

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genres i'm tired of:

"feminist retellings" of stories that can already be considered feminist in their own right

"feminist retellings" that fumble the "feminist" plotline so bad it just turns misogynistic

"feminist retellings" that still center around and hinge on men

"feminist retellings" written by people who don't understand what feminism is

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Arawn headcannons?

Hi, anon!!!! Arawn beloved!!!! God, I love him. I think he's neat and also, anybody who is a fellow dog lover gets brownie points.

Okay, so, Arawn to me is a full-formed God straight out the gate. He doesn't have a family, really unlike say the family of Llŷr and the family of Dôn. He, to me, is similar to Cerridwen and Aerfen in that they make their families because they're vital concepts to the Celts if that makes sense? Like Death (Arawn), Warfare/Fate (Aerfen), and Awen (that's basically like the act of creation in Welsh culture. So Cerridwen's cauldron is the cauldron of Awen. It's roughly translated to inspiration or divine inspiration and it a big deal tbh) are vital things so they took shape pretty quickly. (I'd also say that Amaethon and Gofannon were fully-formed instead of growing up into adulthood but, as can be seen with Dylan Ail Don, gods probably grew into adults like within a day. Like those t-shirts you have to wet so they expand.)

ANYWAYS. He has a wife called Alaw (means melody. It's also the name of a river which features in the Second Branch of the Mabinogion) and she's the deity of said river (I've made that up, but it's cuz Annwfn is associated with water and I was like 'Arawn marries a river deity' to preserve that theme) and, yes, she's the lady who Pwyll has to share a bed with for a year and gets super pissed off when Arawn's like 'BUT BABE WE'VE ALWAYS TALKED' and she's like 'NOT ANYMORE, BITCH, WHERE THE FUCK WERE YOU?!' Anyways, they really do love each other and also they have a daughter called Morwen (sea white) who marries a guy and they have a kid called Alwen (also river name) who gets together with Urien Rheged and Modron in a menage á trois)

Originally, I headcannoned him as like a guy who could shape-shift into a 'black scrap' that was a bit ravenish so he could attack those he hated but he's now more fluid and water-based because of the whole Annwfn deal. Plus, idk a God of death being foreboding because of thr fact he's water-based is scary when you think about it! Water is incredibly destructive and nurturing and Arawn can be both. Like, dude is benevolent in The Mabinogion for the most part but when Pwyll first meets him you as the reader think 'JESUS, MY BOI PENDEFID DYFED'S ABOUT TO BE MURKED' because he just shows up and is like 'U SET UR HOUNDS UPON MY STAG.'

He and Alaw met because Arawn can use any river as pathways to his domain and he was out hunting and thr dogs were like 'A PERSON!!!!' Those dogs meet-cuted their master. He just walks on water with all his hounds behind him like a mini procession whenever they wanna hunt.

He is, as discussed, beesties with the Pwyll fam. I know this, I believe this. If the family of Pwyll has one fan it's me, if the family of Pwyll has a hundred fans I'm one of them, if the fam of Pwyll has no fans I'm dead and typing this from my grave. Pryderi sends Arawn letters CONSTANTLY. Arawn still dines with Pwyll's shade.

Chill guy. Any dog he sees he must pet.

He's very ambivalent about the family of Dôn. Like, Pryderi nearly died because of Gwydion (becauss of the one strike thing. I know it should be over running water, but I think the water would spit Pryderi back out because Arawn Does Not Want Him Dead unlike Hafgan. In my book Pryderi doesn't die because that's my brother in booboo and I LOVE him) and he went to Y Felen Rhyd to retrieve Pryderi's body instead of having Gwyn ap Nudd do it so Pryderi could get treatment from Cerridwen, Taliesin, and a tiny string bean of an Emrys/Myrddin.

He loves poetry. His job comes with the perk of having every poet who has ever died in his hall. Of course Arawn's gonna have poetry read to him every night. He even listens to Alaw read her pierty and she's BANGING AT POETRY. (Basing her on Gwerful Mechain, my absolute beloved. Women absolutely did master the Welsh bardic craft and I wish we had more of their works surviving) He commissions poetry for his and Alaw's wedding and gets Alaw to do it so his court knows how fuckin great his wife is at poetry because he's like 'EVERYBODY PLS LOOK AT MY WIFE OKAY SHUT UP SHE'S PERFORMING'

Is besties with Llŷr who is now, uh, chained up by Euroswydd somewhere in a silver chair (my invention idk how boi is chained up because MYTHS DON'T TELL) in a dungeon away from the sea. Euroswydd doesn't know that Arawn's been sending river water to Llŷr on the down low so he can keep his strength up. Although it's not the sea, Llŷr is endlessly grateful.

Arawn has met Cigfa because Pryderi was like 'u gotta meet my third dad' soon after they were married and basically trekked the poor girl to the Afon Cych and was like 'dw, dw, dw, I'm not a weirdo but I've been telling Arawn all about u' ans she's like THE GOD OF THE FUCKING DEAD?! And this close -> 🤏 to filing for divorce then and there. Fortunately, Arawn was like 'nice to meet u do u wanna meet my dogs and my KICKASS WIFE?' and Cigfa was like 'dogs 🥰🥰🥰'

(What if I told u she walks out of there with two Cŵn Annwfn pups who are only a few days old with the reddest ears and whitest coats? What then?)

The whole Hafgan thing is turned into Annwfn's biggest propaganda spin ever. Arawn is like 'Pwyll and I defeated Hafgan who was legit The Worst.' It's probably like Damnatio Memoriae in that no traces of Hafgan's rule over Y Gwlad y Haf exist. Arawn is absolutely ruthless in that.

Gwyn ap Nudd is Arawn's psychopomp but have you also considered be rules Annwfn whenever Arawn takes a holiday? The Wild Hunt is an exercise for the doggos at this point. Mallt-y-Nos screams because she's excited. (God, I've cutesified Welsh myth. Kill me.)

Anyways, anon hope these are good. Arawn is actually a bit more foreboding in the book. Morrígan's dead clutter his halls, he has a whole run-in with Oisín and Gwyn in a stable before he realises who they are, and murks a load of people. Also, his aura is white and red because of his hounds and also because those are Otherworldy colours.

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You know what nobody tells you about Welsh myth? How interconnected everybody is. 🙃🙃🙃 I'm losing my mind. The family of Llŷr (so Brân, Branwen, Manawydan, Efnisien, and Nisien) are nieces and nephews to the family of Dôn (so Gwydion, Gilfaethwy, Amaethon, Aranrhod, Eufudd, Lludd and Llefelys, and Penarddun, who is the Llŷr kids mam.) Then you've got Lludd who is probably a misspelling of Nudd who is the dad of Gwyn ap Nudd, Edern, and probably Creiddylad. (Cuz, y'know, nothing can be easy.) Then you've got Beli Mawr who is Lludd and Llefelys' dad (and, presumably, the rest of the Dôn bunch's papa too, but idk.) And then, Rhiannon, Pwyll, and Pryderi are Just Chilling until BLAM! Rhiannon gets married to Manawydan because the author of The Mab Dropped A Bridge on Pwyll.

Also, let's not forget Welsh mythology's fuckin Arthurian family tree. Arthur had fifty-seven-thousand cousins, half of them are saints, and also Culhwch's there for some fuckin reason. Medrawd probably wasn't even his son in Welsh myth proper (although I'm conjecturing with that because I Have No Sources.) Meanwhile, Gwenhwyfar and Gwenhwyfach are facing off in The World's Most Destructive Battle.

(Also, P.S. Culhwch is a cousin to Olwen and a double-cousin to Goreu. Custennin and Ysbaddaden are brothers. Goleuddydd (Culhwch's mam) is also a sister to Goreu's mam.)

(P.P.S: Lleu and Blodeuwedd are also cousins except Woman Made Out of Flowers. Because Gwydion and Math did the ritual and they're cousins. But also maaaaaybe brother and sister? Because Gwydion could be Lleu's Actual Dad. So, yes.)

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Theyre called draculas because they drank u. La

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I will NEVER see a prehistoric dinosaur

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It’s actually so ridiculous that so many authors combined Lancelot/Bedwyr, call him Bedwyr, as if they were going to draw largely on the Welsh myth… then Agravaine is there. Every. Single. Time. PICK A STRUGGLE

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Kim Kassas | Fairest of them All

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think that everyone has their own personal theme in life

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Arthur Hacker / "Temptation of Sir Percival" / 1894 / Leeds Art Gallery

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Interview today.

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Doing a stupid poll again to distract me from interview horrors so pls tell me ur fave mabinogion story!

Branch 1 - Pwyll

The worst identity crisis since Freaky Friday, Pwyll almost fumbling The Hottest Maiden in all of Dyfed's Cantrefi, Rhiannon, who later gets NCIS'd medieval Wales style when she's accused of eating her son. Teyrnon becomes dad to a fool AND Gwri Gwallt Euryn only for him to discover Gwri is actually the missing son of Pwyll and Rhiannon. He reunites mam, dad, and son and Gwri changes his name by deed poll to Pryderi (Pryder is 'to worry' which honestly never has there been a more apt description of a mythological character ever.). Pwyll dies. Pryderi takes over and gets a wife, Cigfa!

Branch 2 - Branwen

Irish king, Matholwch, tries his luck at 12th century Love Island by going to Harlech and asking for High King Bendigeidfran’s sister, Branwen. Bendigeidfran accepts but his half-brother Efnisien gets pissed off he wasn't consulted and immediately slices up Matholwch's horses. Pissed, Matholwch tries to leave - no word on whether he took Branwen with him considering they're married at this point - but Bendigeidfran and his brother, Manawydan, convince him they didn't know Efnisien would do such a grievous act by giving him the Pair Dadeni: a cauldron perfect for all ur resurrection needs. Matholwch accepts, goes back to Ireland with Branwen in tow where he then becomes abusive to her even though they have a son, Gwern. She gets sent to the kitchens and gets a box on the ear and no ships can go to Britain lest news spread. Branwen teaches a starling to send a message to her bros who react accordingly (war, if ur asking). Bendigeidfran unlocks his bridge powers, Efnisien crushe soldiers heads in after being told their flour and then chucks Gwern onto the fire!!! But it's okay, he breaks the Pair Dadeni by pretending to be dead and getting chucked in so his heart bursts. Bendigeidfran’s mortally wounded, has his head chopped, Branwen dies of a broken heart, and Manawydan is left without any family members which leads to...

Branch 3

Dan and his bestie Pryderi go home to Dyfed where Pryderi plays matchmaker and has Dsn marry Rhiannon. Everything's fine and dandy until it ain't. Dyfed becomes a wasteland and Rhiannon, Pryderi, Dan, and Cugfa are the only for Welsh people left. They go to England making saddles, leaving a village when the craftsmen try to kill them, try to set up shop making shoes in another village, only to be threatened with death again and rinse and repeat. Then they go back to Dyfed, hunt a wild boar, Pryderi goes into a fort and forgets every scrap of common sense he possesses and touches a magic bowl, Manawydan tells Rhiannon who bollocks him and goes in search of her son only for her to also touch the magic bowl and be spirited away. Dan and Cigfa live their farming life only for mice to severely hamper them. Dan captures a mouse and tries to hang it, resulting in Cigfa thinking he's having a mid-life crisis. Dan then gets a visit from a Bishop asking for the mouse and the two manage to come to an agreement that Dan will give him the mouse once Pryderi, Rhiannon, and Dyfed are restored.

Branch 4 - Math

Math is a bit part in his own tale, you should probs call it 'Gwydion Being a Shithammer.' Gwydion is Math' nephew who is basically The Worst (not affectionate) and sparks a war between Gwynedd and Dyfed leading to Pryderi's death (rip king) and his brother, Gilfaethwy, assaulting their uncle's footholder, Goewin. Goewin tells Math what's happened and he shapeshifts his nephews into various animals for three years and then releases them. Gwydion suggests his sis, Aranrhod, be their uncle's new footholder only for Aranrhod to give birth and discard her kids. (Dylan Ail Don, who Math adopts, and Lleu Llaw Gyffes who Gwydion keeps.) After tynged shenanigans, Lleu gets a wife made out of flowers, Blodeuedd, and is then murdered by her and her lover, Gronw Pebr. Gwydion nurses Lleu back to health and humanity (cuz he became an eagle) and the two get their revenge by spearing Gronw and transforming Blodeuedd into Blodeuwedd (owl.) Jokes on Lleu though, he doesn't have an heir and Gwynedd is probs in pieces.

Peredur

Boi wants to become knight, boi travels to King Arthur's court and deals with bad knight who threw wine at Gwenhwyfar. Reads like what I write high on painkillers and coffee. Also, deals with colonialism. Gwalchmai and Peredur hold hands and probably fucked in a tent. Peredur Baladr Hir, indeed.

Geraint ac Enid

Geraint is nastiness personified. Enid saves his life and is basically treated like dog shit by him. Save her.

Culhwch ac Olwen

Pig Quest Fever Dream. Fairy tale wrapped up in heist movie aesthetics. Culhwch is pig boi now to me. Also, his father-in-law is a giant and his cousin is King Arthur. Shame he doesn't even participate on his own fuckin quest. Dumb ass.

Lludd and Llefelys

Twinsies who have to deal with the worst house guests ever (dragons, coraniaid, wizard who keeps nicking all the food.)

The Dream of Rhonabwy

Rhonabwy is to Welsh mythology what Dante's Inferno is to Italian poetry: self-insert fanfic. Owain and Arthur play Gwyddbwyll and neither give a shit when Owain's ravens attack Arthur's men.

Macsen Wledig

Tinder but through dreams. And in Caernarfon. And with a roman emperor involved. It works.

Taliesin

Gwion bach gets reborn into Taliesin after Cerridwen eats him as a piece of grain.

Owain/Lady of the Fountain

Owain travels to a countess' domain after his brother-in-law narrates the most wackiest story you've ever heard, and then accidentally kills said countess' husband. The Lady's handmaiden, Luned, becomes besties with Owain and convinces her mistress to marry him. Owain then stays with his wife for about threeish years until King Arthur comes a-calling (it's actually Gwalchmai who comes a-calling but Arthur made him) Owain and the Lady divorce (it's actually Luned helping divorce proceedings by which I mean she gives Owain the Lady's ring back) and Owain gets depressed before an earl nurses him back to health. Luned gets herself into a spot of bother (read: almost executed) until Owain saves her alongside his new lion bestie and the countess remarries him.

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Hi everybody, a dear friend and I have made a petition for our local MP to vote against cuts to PIP (which is disability benefit in the UK), which is far she has confirmed she is voting in favour for.

This is like, genuinely so scary for people in the UK right now- especially North Wales where I am- because a higher percentage of people are on PIP here.

It would mean the absolute world to me if you could share and sign this petition. It's a change.org petition because this is for a LOCAL MP to change her vote, do NOT donate - this money won't go to me or my friend, it will go to change.org.

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Doing a stupid poll again to distract me from interview horrors so pls tell me ur fave mabinogion story!

Branch 1 - Pwyll

The worst identity crisis since Freaky Friday, Pwyll almost fumbling The Hottest Maiden in all of Dyfed's Cantrefi, Rhiannon, who later gets NCIS'd medieval Wales style when she's accused of eating her son. Teyrnon becomes dad to a fool AND Gwri Gwallt Euryn only for him to discover Gwri is actually the missing son of Pwyll and Rhiannon. He reunites mam, dad, and son and Gwri changes his name by deed poll to Pryderi (Pryder is 'to worry' which honestly never has there been a more apt description of a mythological character ever.). Pwyll dies. Pryderi takes over and gets a wife, Cigfa!

Branch 2 - Branwen

Irish king, Matholwch, tries his luck at 12th century Love Island by going to Harlech and asking for High King Bendigeidfran’s sister, Branwen. Bendigeidfran accepts but his half-brother Efnisien gets pissed off he wasn't consulted and immediately slices up Matholwch's horses. Pissed, Matholwch tries to leave - no word on whether he took Branwen with him considering they're married at this point - but Bendigeidfran and his brother, Manawydan, convince him they didn't know Efnisien would do such a grievous act by giving him the Pair Dadeni: a cauldron perfect for all ur resurrection needs. Matholwch accepts, goes back to Ireland with Branwen in tow where he then becomes abusive to her even though they have a son, Gwern. She gets sent to the kitchens and gets a box on the ear and no ships can go to Britain lest news spread. Branwen teaches a starling to send a message to her bros who react accordingly (war, if ur asking). Bendigeidfran unlocks his bridge powers, Efnisien crushe soldiers heads in after being told their flour and then chucks Gwern onto the fire!!! But it's okay, he breaks the Pair Dadeni by pretending to be dead and getting chucked in so his heart bursts. Bendigeidfran’s mortally wounded, has his head chopped, Branwen dies of a broken heart, and Manawydan is left without any family members which leads to...

Branch 3

Dan and his bestie Pryderi go home to Dyfed where Pryderi plays matchmaker and has Dsn marry Rhiannon. Everything's fine and dandy until it ain't. Dyfed becomes a wasteland and Rhiannon, Pryderi, Dan, and Cugfa are the only for Welsh people left. They go to England making saddles, leaving a village when the craftsmen try to kill them, try to set up shop making shoes in another village, only to be threatened with death again and rinse and repeat. Then they go back to Dyfed, hunt a wild boar, Pryderi goes into a fort and forgets every scrap of common sense he possesses and touches a magic bowl, Manawydan tells Rhiannon who bollocks him and goes in search of her son only for her to also touch the magic bowl and be spirited away. Dan and Cigfa live their farming life only for mice to severely hamper them. Dan captures a mouse and tries to hang it, resulting in Cigfa thinking he's having a mid-life crisis. Dan then gets a visit from a Bishop asking for the mouse and the two manage to come to an agreement that Dan will give him the mouse once Pryderi, Rhiannon, and Dyfed are restored.

Branch 4 - Math

Math is a bit part in his own tale, you should probs call it 'Gwydion Being a Shithammer.' Gwydion is Math' nephew who is basically The Worst (not affectionate) and sparks a war between Gwynedd and Dyfed leading to Pryderi's death (rip king) and his brother, Gilfaethwy, assaulting their uncle's footholder, Goewin. Goewin tells Math what's happened and he shapeshifts his nephews into various animals for three years and then releases them. Gwydion suggests his sis, Aranrhod, be their uncle's new footholder only for Aranrhod to give birth and discard her kids. (Dylan Ail Don, who Math adopts, and Lleu Llaw Gyffes who Gwydion keeps.) After tynged shenanigans, Lleu gets a wife made out of flowers, Blodeuedd, and is then murdered by her and her lover, Gronw Pebr. Gwydion nurses Lleu back to health and humanity (cuz he became an eagle) and the two get their revenge by spearing Gronw and transforming Blodeuedd into Blodeuwedd (owl.) Jokes on Lleu though, he doesn't have an heir and Gwynedd is probs in pieces.

Peredur

Boi wants to become knight, boi travels to King Arthur's court and deals with bad knight who threw wine at Gwenhwyfar. Reads like what I write high on painkillers and coffee. Also, deals with colonialism. Gwalchmai and Peredur hold hands and probably fucked in a tent. Peredur Baladr Hir, indeed.

Geraint ac Enid

Geraint is nastiness personified. Enid saves his life and is basically treated like dog shit by him. Save her.

Culhwch ac Olwen

Pig Quest Fever Dream. Fairy tale wrapped up in heist movie aesthetics. Culhwch is pig boi now to me. Also, his father-in-law is a giant and his cousin is King Arthur. Shame he doesn't even participate on his own fuckin quest. Dumb ass.

Lludd and Llefelys

Twinsies who have to deal with the worst house guests ever (dragons, coraniaid, wizard who keeps nicking all the food.)

The Dream of Rhonabwy

Rhonabwy is to Welsh mythology what Dante's Inferno is to Italian poetry: self-insert fanfic. Owain and Arthur play Gwyddbwyll and neither give a shit when Owain's ravens attack Arthur's men.

Macsen Wledig

Tinder but through dreams. And in Caernarfon. And with a roman emperor involved. It works.

Taliesin

Gwion bach gets reborn into Taliesin after Cerridwen eats him as a piece of grain.

Owain/Lady of the Fountain

Owain travels to a countess' domain after his brother-in-law narrates the most wackiest story you've ever heard, and then accidentally kills said countess' husband. The Lady's handmaiden, Luned, becomes besties with Owain and convinces her mistress to marry him. Owain then stays with his wife for about threeish years until King Arthur comes a-calling (it's actually Gwalchmai who comes a-calling but Arthur made him) Owain and the Lady divorce (it's actually Luned helping divorce proceedings by which I mean she gives Owain the Lady's ring back) and Owain gets depressed before an earl nurses him back to health. Luned gets herself into a spot of bother (read: almost executed) until Owain saves her alongside his new lion bestie and the countess remarries him.

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