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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.