what do you think you know? it’s a type of folk dancing, usually with music. handkerchiefs, sticks...
TRANSCRIPT
What do you think you know?
It’s a type of folk dancing, usually
with music.
Handkerchiefs, sticks and
sometimes swords are used!
English records show Morris
dancing occurring as far back as the late 15th century.
The term ‘Morris’ might have come
from the term ‘Moorish Dance’
(which connects the custom to Africa!)
Today, it’s thought of as ‘English’ but there are over 150 sides in the USA.
Sides are also found in New
Zealand, Australia, Canada, Hong
Kong, France and the Netherlands!
There are currently several types of Morris Dancing around Britain including…
…can you find out more about these styles of dancing?
How are they similar? How are they different? Where are they from?
DO YOU HAVE A LOCAL MORRIS SIDE? WHAT ARE THEY CALLED? WHAT STYLE DO THEY DANCE?
The rags representedpoverty as
early Morris Dancers were
poor.
The hats are often designed to reflect the side and the
person wearing it.
It is thought that thepheasant feathers were a snub to their bosses who owned the land the dancers poached the birds from.
The ‘black face’ wasa disguise as dancing for money was not allowed. Dancers did not want to lose their jobs or end up in jail.Soot from their fireswas used.
The bells have been worn by Morris
dancers for centuries and some say they are used to scare away evil spirits!
Sticks are used by Border Morris sides and are
usually cut from trees in local woods with
permission from the farmer / landowner
Click on the hotspots to find out more about the Border Morris kit…