Efnissien: a Cymric Anti-hero of the Mabinogi (Troubled)

Synonyms: Efnysien
Brezh: Troubled

Efnissien is the son of Euroswyd and Penarddun, brother of Nissien and half-brother of Brân the Blessed. His mythos is found in the Mabinogi of Branwen ferch Llŷr where he can be considered as the trickster counterpart to his diplomat brother. Indeed, whereas Nissien's name means 'peaceful' Efnissien's name literally means 'not-peaceful' and can be interpreted as meaning 'troubled'. Effectively he is the cause of strife, as can be seen throughout the tale of Branwen ferch Llŷr.

In the tale of Branwen ferch Llŷr it is Efnissien who is the source of all the strife between the Cymry and the Gwyddel. Desirous to forge an alliance with the Irish Brân marries his sister, Branwen to Matholwch the king of Ireland. However, their brother Efnissien was not well pleased with the match and in outrage he maimed the Irish horses at the wedding feast by cutting off their lips and ears, causing grave offence. In response to this Brân felt obliged to give his magic cauldron to Matholwch. Though the Irish king was pacified with this offering and despite Branwen giving him a son, Gwern, his courtiers persuaded him to banish her to the kitchens to perform the most menial tasks. She, however, had a pet starling and she sent this across the waves to alert her brother to her predicament.

On learning of Branwen's plight Brân immediately gathers an army and leads them across the Irish sea. He bestrides the waves, the poets and bards of his court upon his shoulders as the remaining warriors progress in ships behind him. Fording many rivers, in which course Brân utters the famous statement boed ben bïd bont (he who is the leader must be their peoples' bridge). Brân's men won the ensuing battle and Matholwch was forced to accept terms ’ that he would abdicate in favour of Gwern and that for the victory feast a house would be built that would house Brân himself (not a small feat because of his prodigious size). However, at the ensuing feast the Iris hid themselves in flour sacks to attack the Cymry. Efnissien, sensing treachery threw the flour sacks onto the celebratory pyre and then he threw Gwern atop the sacks. As a result, battle was rejoined. Using Brân's cauldron the Irish were able to re-animate their dead, though they could not speak as a result, and the fighting was fiercer than ever. However, in recompense for his misdeeds Efnissien threw himself into the cauldron, managing to destroy it and himself in the process. Thus he redeems himself.

Nissien and Efnissien can be considered as an echo of the mytho of the cosmic twins. One dark, causing strife and misfortune, the other light, seeking peace and accomodation.

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