Project Hiraeth | Stories from Welsh Patagonia (original) (raw)
Unearth this fascinating history of the
Welsh experience in Patagonia
Our Mission
Project Hiraeth explores, documents and celebrates the stories of the Welsh colony in Patagonia, Argentina.
Project Hiraeth unearths the fascinating history of the Welsh experience in Patagonia in time to celebrate the 150th anniversary of their voyage. This is a story about Welsh hardship, courage and the descendants of those who set sail all those years ago.
Explore the history, watch, read and journey through our large collection of stories from Welsh Patagonia. We want to share our excitement for this inspiring and little known story that deserves to be told, the story must be shared and we're passionate and committed to telling it in an accessible and unique way.
Intro
During the first half of the 19th century, individuals in Wales were inspired by the idea of establishing a Welsh colony. This was driven by founder of the Welsh Colony, Michael D. Jones.Play
They wanted to leave for numerous reasons; to escape poverty, to seek religious freedom and to establish a new country where Welsh would be the language of religion, government, trade and education. In Wales at that time, it was not possible as Wales was gradually being absorbed into England.Play
For these reasons a group of 153 Welshmen and women were inspired to set sail for a new life in Argentinian Patagonia to save and hold on to what they believed in, their religion, dying language and culture.Play
Welsh people had previously ventured to Israel, North America, Brazil, and Australia. These attempts failed due to other language and cultures influencing the Welsh and diluting the Welsh identity. In Patagonia there were only the Tehuelches Indians - who they lived alongside with in peace.Play Play
May 28th
They began the long journey to Patagonia - aboard a tea clipper called Mimosa
Following unexpected difficulties in securing funds, and drawn out negotiations with the Argentine government, the first group of Welsh settlers finally departed from Liverpool.
July 28th
The settlers set foot on the shores of Puerto Madryn, Patagonia.
This day of landing is celebrated annually as ‘Gŵyl y Glaniad’ (Welsh for Festival of Landing).
In the beginning they had a very difficult life and suffered great hardship.
They had left everything in Wales, arriving to dangerous and distressing conditions; no houses, no food and to a painfully cold Patagonian winter.
**The Welshmen dug holes in the caves and built huts for shelter.**The women and children lived there for the first few weeks whilst the men searched on foot for food and water
August
The first birth and death took place in these caves.
The settlers struggled to cultivate the arid and barren land which led to a failed harvest in the Chupat Valley.
November
Rachel Jenkins discovered that the land could be irrigated by diverting water from the Chupat River. By flooding the land, it enabled them to grow crops and to raise animals.
The population of the Welsh Colony fell to 90, mainly due to people moving to other parts of Argentina.
Wheat was produced from the Colony for the first time. This allowed them to make bread. ’Bara’ (Welsh for bread) was the first word the Tehuelche Indians learnt to say.
During the next 3 years the population increased to 300.
This was the peak of the Welsh Colony and secured a bright future.
The first Welsh school book was created by Richard Jones Berwyn. This was used to educate children of the colony.
December
Llwyd ap Iwan, son of Michael D. Jones was murdered by bandits at the co-operative store in Nant-y-Pysgod, near Esquel.