In honor of Women’s History Month, Atwood Magazine has invited artists to participate in a series of essays reflecting on identity, music, culture, inclusion, and more.

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Today, Welsh rising star Mali Hâf shares how her latest single reimagines the Welsh National Anthem, flipping the perspective to honor and celebrate the contributions of women, in a special essay for Atwood Magazine’s Women’s History Month Series!

Hailing from Cardiff, Wales, Celtic Soul singer/songwriter Mali Hâf is not just here to entertain, but to challenge and reshape how the world perceives Welsh culture. She is intent on breaking stereotypes and showing the rich diversity of her homeland through bold, modern sounds. Released March 7th, her latest single “H.W.F.M” is a bold feminist reimagining of the Welsh National Anthem, “Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau” (Old Land of My Fathers). The song flips the perspective to celebrate and honor the contributions of women, reframing Wales as the ‘Old Land of My Mothers.’

Playful and cheeky in its homage to the original anthem, the song goes deeper, expressing a heartfelt longing for Wales (and all lands) to be places of true equality safe havens for women and nurturing spaces for everyone. It challenges listeners to think beyond traditional gender roles and stereotypes, calling for empathy, care, and compassion as the defining values of a nation.

Listen to “H.W.F.M” wherever you stream music, and ready Mali Hâf’s Women’s History Month essay below!

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H.W.F.M

A Song for Women in Wales & Everywhere

by Mali Hâf

“Hen Wlad Fy Mamau” is the hook and title of my latest single. It’s a twist on the Welsh national anthem, Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau – which translates as “Land of My Fathers.”

But in my song, it’s changed to “Land of My Mothers.”

If you’ve ever met a Welsh person you‘ll know soon enough that they’re not English! Our pride can run deep. We even have a word, in Cymraeg, “hiraeth, ” to describe the longing we feel for our homeland. It’s a feeling only a fellow Welshy can truly understand.

But Wales isn’t just a land of song and poetry; it’s also the poorest of the four UK nations. That exploitation and hardship has shaped us. (Btw I don’t buy the rubbish of blaming the Welsh government of the last 25 years- it’s the result of 200 years of exploiting our resources and social neglect!!) I’d like to think it’s made us a country that values support for the weakest and social fairness. That’s why, when I sing in Welsh, I feel those powerful values come through in my music.

Yet, as much as I love my country, I’ve had to ask myself: If I’m so proud of Wales, is Wales proud of me? Is it a safe and equal place for Women and anyone who is vulnerable?

Reality for a Welsh Woman:

I wish I could tell you that being a woman in Wales is like something out of Tolkien’s world: wandering through magical hilly landscapes like elves with flowers in your hair! respected for being wonderful and strong mothers. And sometimes, caught up in my own reality, it can feel that way. But mostly, it really doesn’t and hasn’t.

I was born and raised in Cardiff. Sometimes to impress my Mamgu (Grandma) I put on a West Wales accent to impress her and make her proud. But it’s southeast Wales that shaped me, and my experiences as a Woman here have been far from enchanting.

There was nothing safe about growing up in this city. I’ve been chased down alleys, had to hide in parks, experienced revenge porn, sexual assault, and I’m sorry to say the horrors of organized rape. My teenage years and early Womanhood…like those of so many girls I know …were not something to celebrate.

Even in my early twenties, when working in childcare, I saw mothers drop their children off at nursery with black eyes and bruises on their faces. More times than I care to count.

I don’t allow myself to feel anger easily. I suppress it. I’ve always been known for my chilled, away with the fairies, happy-go-lucky attitude, and I suppose I don’t want to lose others’ admiration for that. But when I write songs, when I step onto a stage and perform…that’s when I can let it out.!! Safely. Purposefully. Creatively.

Wales and Women’s Rights: Where Are We Now?

This song was born out of frustration, reflection, and hope. Because as much as I love my country, I can’t ignore the contradictions. We celebrate Welsh identity, but can we really be proud if we turn a blind eye to inequality, continued high levels of domestic violence, ineffective societal responses and tolerance of sexually aggressive teenage behaviour. What I have described above is something to be ashamed of/ something that needs to be addressed with a sense of urgency.

But here’s where the hope comes in. Why can’t Wales with our still relatively new Senedd (parliament) lead the way? What if we could be a nation that truly champions Women’s rights? What if we could be the change we want to see?

This song is my way of holding up a mirror to the country I actually love. Asking: Can we do better? Are we truly the land of song, of poetry, of talent and social justice? If so, don’t we need to hear all our voices, including the vulnerable, for that to be true? Doesn’t creativity and culture thrive in an atmosphere of safety, support and love? We need reminders again and again and again… – Mali Hâf

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:: connect with Mali Hâf here ::

:: connect with H.W.F.M here ::

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