Save the Holy Headland: April 2014

Saturday, 26 April 2014

AN LAVAR GOTH, YU LAVAR GWYR.

Cornwall, or Kernow, has been recognized by the European Union as a minority nationality. According to the British Government, this means it can now be treated in the same way as

Wales

Scotland

and

Ireland

. If history is anything to go by, this may not be such a good thing… However, it is certainly a significant step towards greater autonomy and self-determination. It is also a great opportunity for the Cornish people to revitalize and enjoy the ancient Cornish culture and language.

The ‘Old Ones’ who spoke Kernewek (Cornish) in former times left us a proverb: ‘An lavar goth, yu lavar gwyr.’ ‘He who loses his tongue, shall lose his land.’ Only by the spread of the language can the real culture of Kernow be regained and kept alive. Language is the key and it is in our hands.