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Welcome to the official Penglaz website - home of the Penglaz Cooperative who work to safeguard and ensure the continuation of the Penglaz Tradition in Penwith

Penglaz is the Penzance 'Obby 'Oss first described in the 19th century following mummers, dancers and guisers at high holidays and feast days. The modern Penglaz, revived in 1992, appears late at night (She is a Nightmare) to beguile and frighten the Golowan revellers.  Based on the description of Penglaz by Penzance antiquarians the 'Obby 'Oss is surrounded by secrecy and myth and is now a tradition jealously guarded by Penzance folk.

Penglaz also visits the recently revived Montol Midwinter festival thereby confirming her status as a Solstice ‘Oss governing Death/Rebirth. 

Penglaz is accompanied by a Teazer, also known locally as the Bucca.  Dependant on the time of year, this character appears as Bucca Gwidden (White - Midsummer) or Bucca Dhu (Black - Midwinter)

Over the years Penglaz has become an iconic feature of the Solstice Festivals, however no one knows when or where she will appear lurching, dancing and snapping out of the darkness. Penglaz is a wild, anarchic figure and cannot be tamed, and was once described as ‘the most frightening folklore image’.

In the ‘shop’ you can find a range of official Penglaz related items available in support of this unique Penwith tradition.

News from the ‘Oss’s Mouth
(AKA The Teazer)

Followers of Penglaz have noticed a few changes at this year’s Mazey celebrations and as a consequence may have been left bewildered and confused.  Let me clarify the situation…

In April 2008 after 16 glorious years, Penglaz made the decision to retire.  Once we got over the initial shock it was decided that a new Penglaz would be constructed and the Penglaz Cooperative was created to provide funding for this.  Many talented folk are working hard to produce another Penglaz in time for the Midwinter Montol festival.  So if you are walking the old streets of Penzance at this time you may well come across our Night Mare once again – rejuvenated following Her rebirth.

However, in the meantime another ‘Oss (this time a stallion, or maybe a gelding – impossible to tell) and Teazer has stepped into the gap that has appeared, so we could be in the interesting position of having two ‘Osses to contend with.  This is by no means a unique situation as the two ‘Osses of Padstow gives us a good example of how traditions can evolve.  Many old festivals and folk customs are based on conflict and rivalry.  Maybe there will be an ‘Oss Off’! 

Penglaz memorabilia has sold well this Mazey weekend and we thank all who have helped us by their contributions towards continuing the Penglaz tradition.  Remember that between the Solstice festivals you will shortly be able to purchase Penglaz items from our online shop.

Thank you everyone for your continued support.

Cassandra
Penglaz Teazer