Marcus Chen
Morris dancing is an English folk tradition that dates back to at least the 15th century. It involves intricate dances with sticks, swords, and handkerchiefs, often accompanied by live music. The dancers typically wear distinctive costumes, including face paint, and sometimes include a dancer dressed as a 'beast' or 'fool'. With roots in the courtly setting, Morris dancing has evolved over the centuries, with various regional styles emerging, such as the Cotswold Morris and the Welsh Nantgarw tradition. While the tradition faced marginalization, it has recently seen a revival, attracting young people with its blend of ancient rites and modern creativity.
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Face paint and costumes
Morris dancing costumes vary depending on the style of dance and the region from which the dance originates. For example, Appalachian clog dances from the USA, now performed in Britain, are often performed with dancers wearing tatter coats and painted faces. The North West tradition of Morris dancing, which has featured mixed and female sides as far back as the 18th century, typically involves dancers wearing various styles of shoes or boots, although clogs are also common. Cotswold Morris is a collection of dances from a particular area that have something in common, such as steps, arm movements, and dance figures. Dancers performing the Cotswold style often wear Regency costumes and use acoustic instruments appropriate to the period.
The tradition of rural English dancers blackening their faces is thought to be a form of disguise or a reference to the Moors or miners, although the origins of the practice are unclear and debated. In June 2020, the Joint Morris Organisation called for the discontinuation of black makeup in response to the Black Lives Matter movement. Groups that previously used black face paint changed to blue, green, or yellow and black stripes.
Some Morris dancers wear costumes with a particular symbol or theme. For example, MAYDAY Morris, an offshoot of a Devon-based Border side, uses the dandelion as a symbol of "resilience, playfulness, health, and hope." Their face paint is inspired by anti-facial recognition designs, and their jackets resemble the high-vis tabards worn by labourers and stewards.
Morris dances are often accompanied by people dressed as 'fools' or 'beasts' such as hobby horses to add to the spectacle. These 'beast' costumes are usually worn by dancers who interact with the audience, especially children.
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History
Morris dancing is a traditional form of English folk dance that has experienced a revival in recent years, particularly among young people. It is often associated with May Day celebrations to welcome the spring, and dancers typically wear bells and costumes adorned with ribbons. The earliest references to Morris dancing date back to the 15th century, placing it in a courtly setting. By the late 16th century, it had become part of performances for the lower classes.
The tradition of blackening their faces is a subject of debate, with some suggesting it is a form of disguise or a reference to the Moors or miners. In 2020, the Joint Morris Organisation called for the discontinuation of black face paint due to the Black Lives Matter movement. Groups have since adopted blue, green, or yellow and black stripes as a replacement. Morris dancing is also often associated with sword dances, although these are not actual swords but implements made specifically for the dance, with one end held by each dancer.
Morris dancing has various regional styles, including the Cotswold Morris tradition, which consists of dances from a particular area with common steps, arm movements, and figures. The North West tradition, named after the region in England, has featured mixed and female sides as far back as the 18th century. The Nantgarw tradition, originating from a small village in the Taff Valley, is a distinct Welsh version of Morris dancing. Appalachian clog dances from the USA are also related to English clog dancing, a style commonly associated with the Morris dance.
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Regional variations
Morris dancing costumes and their styles vary across regions, with each region boasting its own distinctive costume style and dance traditions. The Cotswold Morris tradition, for instance, is known for its white shirts, breeches, and bell pads, with colourful accents like ribbons and flowers. The Northwest Morris tradition, on the other hand, features more vibrant and eclectic costumes with elaborate headwear and accessories. The Northwest style is also more military in style and often processional, having developed out of the mills in the North-West of England in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
The Border Morris style, originating in the English-Welsh border counties of Shropshire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Gloucestershire and Shropshire, features darker colours, tattered clothing, and blackened or coloured faces. This style is also simpler, looser, and more vigorous. Carnival Morris is another style, primarily danced by girls in the North West of England, with its own separate umbrella organisations. It is related to English clog dancing and Appalachian clog dances from the USA, now performed by many teams in Britain.
The Long Sword dance style, originating in Yorkshire and southern County Durham, is danced with long, rigid metal or wooden swords, usually by six or eight dancers. The Cotswold and sword dances are usually accompanied by a single musician, while the Border and North West teams will often have a band, sometimes even a local brass band. The tunes are drawn from many sources, with some Cotswold tunes being very old, while others come from the music hall era.
The costumes and adornments in Morris dancing are not merely decorative attire. They embody centuries of symbolism, historical narratives, and cultural heritage. For instance, the intricate floral embroidery on Cotswold Morris waistcoats can represent the abundance of the countryside, while the blackened faces and ragged clothing in Border Morris reflect ancient traditions and the role of disguise in warding off evil spirits.
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Morris dancing today
Morris dancing is experiencing a revival, with young people embracing the tradition. This revival is particularly evident in the counties of Herefordshire, Gloucestershire, Shropshire, Oxfordshire, Northamptonshire, and Warwickshire, where the dance style originates. The dance style is also prevalent in the North West of England, where Carnival Morris, a style performed primarily by girls, is popular.
Morris dancing has traditionally been performed by all-male groups, but mixed and female sides have also existed for centuries. Today, there is a growing trend for all-female sides, such as MAYDAY Morris, a Devon-based group that performs at protests.
The costumes and face paint traditionally associated with Morris dancing are also being updated. While some groups still wear Regency costumes, others are creating new costumes that reflect their values and interests. For example, MAYDAY Morris wears face paint inspired by anti-facial recognition designs and high-vis jackets reminiscent of those worn by labourers.
The instruments used in Morris dancing have also evolved. While the pipe and tabor, and fiddle were traditionally used, today, the most common instrument is the melodeon, with accordions and concertinas also popular.
The dances themselves are also changing. While some groups still perform traditional dances, such as the maypole dance, others are creating new dances that reflect modern themes and issues. For example, Mark Morris's "Northwest" is inspired by Native American dance and includes elements of traditional Yup'ik dances.
Overall, Morris dancing is alive and well in the UK today, with groups embracing ancient traditions while also innovating and engaging with social justice issues.
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Instruments
Morris dancing is a traditional form of English folk dance, often performed with swords, sticks, and hankies. The swords used in Morris dancing are not real swords but implements specifically made for the dance. The rapper sword, for example, is a flexible strip of spring steel with a wooden handle at each end, while the longsword has a wooden handle at one end and a blunt tip. Dancers are usually linked to one another by these swords, holding on to the ends or to ribbons threaded through a hole in the sword's tip.
In addition to swords, sticks are also used in Morris dancing. The sticks may be accompanied by hankies, and dancers are often dressed in white with ribbons, baldrics, or waistcoats and decorated hats. The dances involve intricate movements, with the dancers weaving in and out of each other in what is known as "maze" or "garland dances".
The tradition of Morris dancing is often associated with May Day celebrations, which mark the arrival of spring. One traditional dance is the maypole dance, where dancers circle a tall pole and wrap ribbons around it in different directions and patterns. Morris dancing is also linked to mumming or mummers' plays, which combine music, dance, and sword fighting.
In terms of musical instruments, the pipe and tabor (a small drum) are commonly used, as well as the fiddle. The most common instrument in modern times is the melodeon, with accordions and concertinas also being popular. These instruments provide the lively accompaniment to the energetic and exuberant dance styles of Morris dancing.
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