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 | | Anyone who visits an English village in the summer months is likely to see a small group of men performing an age-old ritual that, at first sight, appears very odd. This is England’s unique tradition of Morris Dancing - a folk custom dating back over the centuries. But where exactly did these strange set of dances originate? What is their meaning? Why do the dancers wear distinctive clothes? And why do they perform such distinctive if ridiculous rituals? Many researchers suggest that the word “Morris” derives from the word “Moorish” or “Morisco”. If this is true, Morris dancing is in some way linked to the traditions of the Islamic caliphate of |
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El Andaluz or Andalucia in Southern Spain, some eight to ten centuries ago. Historical records from the late Middle Ages refer to Morris dancers as “Morisco” dancers. Despite this intriguing reference, there is no specific evidence to prove that Morris Dancing came into Britain from Moorish Spain. Similarly, there is no evidence that Morris dancing has any connection with Britain’s pre-Christian pagan festivals. What is not in doubt is that Morris dancing flourished in Britain under the Tudor and Elizabethan courts in the 15th and 16th centuries. In particular, Britain’s Tudor kings promoted the connection between Morris dancing and the country’s ancient May Day revels. This connection continues to this day.
There are many variations within Morris dancing traditions but “Cotswold” is the most common Morris dancing form alive today. The Cotswold Morrismen dress all in white, with ribbons, bells, and hats with flowers. They perform a series of dances whilst holding either sticks or white handkerchiefs in their hands. Many of the Cotswold Morrismen attribute details of their dances to Cecil Sharp, the early 20th-century folk music collector who set down many Cotswold traditions in the early 1900s. Sharp linked many Morris dances to the late spring festivals around Whitsuntide – a time linked to marriage and new beginnings. Cecil Sharp also formed the English Folk Dance and Song Society (EFDS), which has enormous support today.
Modern Morris dancing is almost an all-male affair. This probably reflects Victorian values. However, there is evidence that early Morris dancing involved women and men together. Traditionally, Morris teams belonged to “Guilds” or professional performers. Once selected to become a member of a Morris team, an individual needed to follow the strict regulations of the Guild. Each team guarded their own particular dances with great secrecy. The most prolific areas for different dance types were Cornwall, Somerset, Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire.
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Glossary
Caliphate (n)
the country or period of rule of a caliph (head of state).
Pagan (adj)
relating to ancient religions. Handkerchief (n)
a small square piece of cloth. |
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Last Updated ( Monday, 16 November 2009 13:31 )
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