Border Morris Dancing

[mushroom25]

an ancient tradition that just needs explaining to the modern audience?

or an unacceptably racist form of entertainment that needs consigning to history?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-38560968

[Answerprancer]

Has it really got anything to do with black people? I suspect it's more to do with chimney sweeping or something like that. There is a fair old mixture of morris dancing types, the two main types being "Cotswold" and "Bedlam" afaik both have their roots in pagan times but during the course of history outside influences have come in.

[Gromit]

The explanation that I recently read was that blacking up was done by argricultural workers who had to resort to begging in the winter. It was a disguise so that they would not be regonised and shamed.

This particular novelty act resurrected more recently when its ability to cause offense would be known. At a time when minstel shows and golliwogs were first being shunned, a group of drunken men decided it would be fun to black up and claim a traditional useage. In reality the practice had long died out. So it was meant to offend with the intention of getting publicity for themselves.

Whilst I see no harm in the novelty act itself, their proclamations of innocence are not believable.

[Mamyalynne]

It's interesting as said that the 'Blackface/Disguise' aspect has dipped in and out over the centuries it still survives in some groups.

One can understand someone not knowing the history taking it the wrong way.

//To avoid controversy, some modern sides wear masks or colour their faces in different colours.//

^ That seems a reasonable compromise to me.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Border_Morris#Disguise

[Jackdaw33]

Rather dangerous in the 18C.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Act

[Answerprancer]

"Cave paintings"?!
I doubt it goes back quite that far, what would they have used as accordions?
mammoth bladders? ;-)

[mikey4444]

I have always found it very difficult to take any chap seriously, who prances about, waving a hanky in the air.

[Answerprancer]

The Bedlam type morris dancers don't go in for a) white clobber and b) snot-rag waggling, their look is a bit more dark and crazy, hence the name.
My Mum used to play squeeze box for a Bedlam side and they all wore scary masks and shredded black raggy costumes.

[Answerprancer]

Here they are in action

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XaaQK_rs60

[Mamyalynne]

Totally agree, it's not worth protesting about but far better to learn what is buried within the history of a custom however unsavoury it's origins may be.

People aren't always logical sadly.

[Gromit]

Having watched the video above, it made me think that perhaps one of our more ethnically diverse inner city boroughs could promote Morris Dancing amongst our recent asian Immigrant communities. Burkhas could be worn and self flagellation encouraged. Better communication and understanding would be the result.

[EDDIE51]

Morris Dancing has been officially recorded from 1454 it existed at least 200 years before that.
Morris Dancing was discouraged by the church as it was seen as a way for men to 'break the sabbath' by dance and music. To avoid being recognized by Priests and Church elders some dancers took to disguise by blackening their faces with charcoal.
Those who today try to brand Morris sides as racist are just ignorant!
They have no idea of the origin or tradition and are just trying to 'score points' by their ludicrous allegations.
How many Afro Caribbean's were there in Europe in the 1200's when 'blackface' was started?
Another version of the story says that 'Morris' dancing is actually a corruption of 'Moorish Dancing' so the 'Blackface' is an attempt to imitate a 'Moor' who were perceived as being dark skinned.
NOTHING WHATSOEVER TO DO WITH RACISM !!!!

[Gromit]

// There's cave paintings depicting it as well. //

Were the Cave Men throwing spears at them?

[-Talbot-]

Trouble causing rabble-rouser picking on some strangely dressed old men.

[Gromit]

Divebuddy,

After extensive reasearch, I have managed to find the very cave painting depicting the first kill of roaming Moryses by our troglodyte ancestors.

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/ed/13/88/ed1388dacd6dee07ead8754ba6f8bfe2.jpg

[Gromit]

Thank you Mamyalynne and jackdaw for posting your interesting links.

[Mamyalynne]

Yes both interesting links and I too have learnt a bit more from them tonight.