At this time of year, and at Easter, we expect to see Morris dancers in our villages, outside our Pubs, and generally in town squares. They have become a part of English culture, dating back possibly to around 1450.
I've always rather liked the Britannia side, who have the strange habit of beginning their dance by cupping their ears to unheard voices, then wagging their fingers at each other. I believe the 'blackface' refers to their coming from a mining community.
I've not seen any live Morris dancing for many years, but when I was young we saw them often. There's nothing 'refined' about their dances, but I think that's what makes them such fun.
So, here are the Bacup Coco-Nutters strutting their stuff. If you know nothing of Morris Dancing, these lads are a fine example.
I watched two such videos and was speechless...
ReplyDeleteVery English, and rather peculiar!
DeleteEeee lad, that were grand!!
ReplyDeleteIf you've never seen it, here's a film you might like to find and watch...
"Morris: A life with Bells on"
A lovely comedy "mockumentary"
This is the trailer...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7FEldXtdXI
I was surprised to see Derek Jacobi in there. Thanks for that, it was fun.
DeleteI have never seen this before. This video is from 17 years ago. It prompted me to look for more. They are still dancing, the latest performance taking place in April last year. Good to keep up the tradition.
ReplyDeleteOne of England's well kept secrets.
DeleteEven though your own morris-dancing years are probably behind you, you would look so cool strolling around Brighton dressed exactly like one of the dancers in the video.
ReplyDeleteI thought so too, they look like the Greek Guards at the Vatican.
DeleteIt's straight out of "The Two Ronnies"!
ReplyDeleteEven the very good sides are vaguely comical. It IS supposed to be fun.
DeleteI love all of our old traditions and hope they never disappear. I'm surprised they are still allowed to ' black up ' even though it's referring to mining. XXXX
ReplyDeleteThere are several sides who 'black-up', it's an old tradition which has nothing to do with racism.
DeleteThe CoCo Nutters are not strictly Morris Dancers. They're a Folk Dancing group, who actually do Clog Dances!
ReplyDeleteThey don't really do the bells around their knees, flowers in their hats, (we have real men up here in the north) or wave sticks about.
They parted ways with the National Association of Morris Groups a few years ago, when they were told to stop using 'blackface'. They use 'blackface' to celebrate being from a mining community, it has absolutely nothing at all to do with race or ethnicity!
Morris Dancing is a poor substitute for 'reet proper' Lancastrian Clog Dancing! X
I like the Nutters, they are very amateur, very old, and very funny.
DeleteI wonder what my great grandmother would have thought of seeing this (she was born in Swansea.)
ReplyDeleteShe would have loved it, I'm sure.
DeleteWe have the Cambridge Revels and they perform in Harvard Square and Boston, MA. Like you, I rather like them.
ReplyDeleteIf you don't like Morris Dancers, you don't like life!
DeleteThere should be Morris..or rather Moorish...dancers in Brighton..after all it is in Sussex
ReplyDeletesusfa.interfolk.co.uk
ReplyDeleteI'm sure there are. We need to visit some of the nearby country pubs where they probably perform.
DeleteYou could start a local walking morris group. Like walking football, but morris.
ReplyDeleteWhat on earth is 'Walking Football'? It sounds like something designed for elderly Yorkshire men.
DeleteThat was interesting. I'd say performing that several times a day would keep off a few pounds.
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't seem to have worked for some of them.
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