Morris Dancing performed at the Wimborne Folk Festival 2006

[greenleafbrown]

I think it wonderful that the English continue their conditions will such vigor and pride. But those who say the black face of the dancers has nothing to do with race should do more research. It may be "just part of the costume" today but the term is derived from "moorish dance" and descends from pageants known as Moresca devised and performed under Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella to celebrate driving the Moors out of Spain. In the middle ages,"Moor" was the term used for black people.

[TheHappyHabitat]

@greenleafbrown btw, the word moore means open land/battlefield. It's thought to be where the term mourning comes from. The people you mentioned were called the moors because they were dark which is a sign of grieving. These dances were practiced by the druids way before the Granada War (which was about religion, not race). I know what wikipedia says, it's wrong.

[carnutter360]

I'm 19 and having been playing officially as chief musician for the last 3-4 years for Beggars Oak Clog Dancers (videos posted on my channel taken when I was ill) but I love doing it as I get to travel to new places & meet new people

[robcmoseley]

Love it!

[NorthernerMatty123]

Morris dancing= the gayest type of dancing ever XD England has Morris dancing, Ireland has the riverdance which owns this.

[LegoOnRS]

What has this got to do with race!?!?! The faces are black because of a costume i dont know why anything thinks its racist its nothing to do with race. For gods sake they are ravens. And people that think its racist get a dictionary and look at the word racist!

[deaglek]

¡Viva Inglaterra! lo maximo XD

[dandykiwi]

The stigma with morris dancing is completly wrong and i think anyone who thinks its stupid or "naff" or anything like that should give it a go. i thought morris dancing was rubbish and refused to start untill i had a go and found that a 70 year old was fitter than me and danced for two hours worth of training when i could only do 20 mins then another 20 mins. so give it a go anyone that whats to as its amazing and keeps you extremly fit (just remember that you are expected to drink) :D.

[dandykiwi]

im 17 now and started morris dancing when i was 13 i absolutly love it. its a great experiance and makes you feel part of a culture that i feel we are losing in a way. i have been with the Dorset Buttons (North West side) for 3 years adn has just started a new group called the Holly Copse Molly (molly side). both give me confidence to be myself and wear and do what i want without caring what people think.

[Hereticalable]

@dandykiwi - I'd love to give it a go. It should be part of the National Curriculum in Britain...

[gonzotheblithe]

Thanks for posting! Reminds me of sooo many morris dances of my youth.

[196Jonesy]

this is the best one i have seen on youtube. brilliant!

[andrewwigglesworth]

No fairys, fertility rituals, demons or pagan rites, just good old Morris dancing, isn't that enough?

:-)

[andrewwigglesworth]

Hankies make movements bigger and more dramatic. Watch a dance usually done with hankies done without and you will see the difference. Sticks make noises and are also dramatic. Bells emphasise the movements and like the rest contribute to the "show".

Yet people still invent cod histories for a dance that comes from the late middle ages way past the times of widespread paganism in England, that obviously shares it's roots with English country dancing and other forms dancing.

(...continued)

[andrewwigglesworth]

"Yet vital to any Morris dance are bells, handkerchiefs and sticks; visually attractive as they are, though their true purpose is to scare away troublesome fairies and demons."

^ from the description for this video.

Why do people write this stuff? Somehow despite the lack of *any* evidence they want it to be true.

(continued)

[britainrocks12345]

this is one of many millions of reasons im proud to be english

[bilinny09]

I'm young and I don't find it embarrassing I find it very interesting, in fact I think we should keep this traidition alive, it's special to us. I want to start morris dancing!

[chastemoon]

Hunters Moon always pull a large audience. There is a great DVD of them you can get from Morris Dancers of England website. HM also appear in the Dark Dorset book Calendar Customs which I recommend to anyone who is interested in traditions like morris dancing on May Day. See the Dark Dorset website if your interested.

[BethMercer]

hunters moon are well known in morris appriciating circles. i think the name morris comes from the 'moors' ..black people who came from the african up through spain .the dancers blacking out their faces to avoid being suspected of paganism( or skiving off )meant that they became 'moorish'. just my little theory. i loved this vid :D

[Funenbro]

Perhaps it's the origin of the term, but blackening faces goes right back through pagan bonfire celebrations were dancers rubbed the ash on their face in place of masks.

[wozza2341]

Moors (Spanish and Italian: Moresca) were the Arabs of Spain and Morocco. The term was used in the middle ages for any Muslim Arab. Apparently the style of dancing was learnt by the English during the Crusades. This is the most widely accepted account.

[andrewwigglesworth]

Go on, try to find a medieval dance from the areas that the Crusades went into that has any connection with Morris dancing... you won't, because there aren't any.

The Morris, however, even in the modern re-envisaged (re-invented) forms such as most Border Morris does have obvious connections with such things as English Country dance.

The idea that this is derived from Moorish dancing isn't the "most widely accepted account", it is in fact the "most widely discredited account".

[yelrihss]

Happy Beltane Day Everyone! And many thanks for this wonderful post.  Luverly.

[ShadesofScorpius]

AWESOME> This made my day!

[Lizzieful]

Thousands of people enjoy performing morris dancing and also watching it. Yes, I can see why teenagers would find it embarassing, but you were an adolescent once and surely you can remember how it felt? - often embarrassed and self-conscious. That doesn't mean nobody can enjoy morris dancing ...

[Morgana0x]

Thanks for the video and the interesting information you posted.

[akhla1]

this is 'moros y cristianos' english style.

[Vanatellumaiel]

I would love to see it live...

[jojoblow01]

i am looking to join something similar , i havent seen any other troups that dress like this . is it just the dorset posse`? .

any feedback warmly accepted

[Shem47m]

I think that style of dress is related to the border style of morris dancing which includes blackened faces and costumes decorated with loads of ribbons or strips of cloth.

[Shem47m]

Based on viewing videos of other groups and what I have read I think those costumes (and the blackface) are typical of the border morris dancing style.

[joss885]

I appreciate that Morris dates back and is a link to parish mumming and people debate if its from pre-christian but is the use of black here due to the name or is there a historical significance??

[jojoblow01]

joss885 , i have joined a morris dancing group in sussex and will invite you to join us very soon . i am growing a beard in keeping with the old ways and have found my self enjoying a pint or five of local real ale . i know you are keen , i dont want you missing out on some fun .

[palaiseaubrit]

I don't see that it's any more bizarre or embarrassing than, say, the rituals performed in thousands of churches and temples throughout the world. Some people do like to dress up and perform in public, and that's not abnormal.

[beaubrent]

I heard a story on NPR that the folks in charge of keeping Morris dancing alive are having real trouble finding interest among young people. They find it "embarrassing." So, I looked it up. I agree with the young people.

[amccaffree]

Just do us all a favor and let this tradition die. It's a testament to how lame western culture really is. Please save future generations the embarrassment.

[prictishluvsboys]

Save Morris Dancing.

[flowergrannyjanet]

I live in the USA and when I'm feeling homesick I watch your video. Many thanks

[PrincessFidelma]

woo! I LOVE scary stick thwacking morris dancers!!!

[cmmndrblu]

is that not a Dark Morris performed after Pratchett?

[ConveX91]

No, that one was apparently done in total silence. Thats the one i was looking for. It sounded amazing but unfortunately it's not here.

[Depnick]

Brilliant!

[bellinivernon]

Muy lindo ! Gracias ,desde argentina.

[DrVinko]

I find that racially insulting....most morris sides have dropped the black faces...no need to keep up insulting traditions

[skathi]

wtf its not rasict?! do some research. they blackened theyre faces so they wouldnt get recognised

[DrVinko]

they dont want to be recognised as its total rubbish...what bad music....played by tune a day idiots...rubbish dancing... there is good morris and this is So very...very...average...

[skintandminted15]

If you're going to be snarky and disparaging, at least post your own videos of the "real" Morris Dancing you keep harping on about. Some of us would be interested.

[cajunmart]

racist, lol. still, that childish school playground mentality is do be expected these days.

my wife calls me a pink pig lol, you dont see me running for the tissue box! please grow up audiolink!

id like to know this tune also, ive been trying to learn some moris tunes.

[DrVinko]

idiot

[Zilaart]

What Tune are they playing to? anyone know the name?

[DrVinko]

made up rubbish !...nothing traditional about it at all..this tune is an easy version of a proper Morris tune

[Zilaart]

Which type of morris is this?

[DrVinko]

Street entertainment Morris...its not proper morris at all

[Audiolink]

RACIST!!!!

[mysticbec]

How is this racist?

It is an old tradition?

[ShakiraC5]

I just love Morris Dancing and this must be the best Morris Dancing I have ever seen! Wonder if there is any chance that this group could perform in Ireland. Have watched this video hundreds of times!

[DrVinko]

ever seen real morris ?

[Hymnia]

That was certainly interesting and cheered me up :)

[folkiebush]

Brilliant! what's the name of the tune for the last two dances please, I'd love to play it myself. Ian CRMM

[WitchesSky]

I bought the DVD of this from the website for my Mum and its excellent! Perfect quality... recommend it!

[bluwooforme]

batty boys

[moseymama]

Very interesting. Wish they would come to Las Vegas. What a treat this would be downtown amidst the bright lights. And what an audience they would invite. Mari Ana

[maxusbb]

if you're in the UK, tomorrow (Easter Saturday) is coconut day in Bacup, Lancashire. An all day beer and mad dancing session round the town's pubs, its not Padstow but its a laugh

[FA9082]

morris dancing is like the coolest shit ever xD

[legaata]

Very beautiful!

[hisarrow]

Pretty cool. Glad my ancestors weren't completely boring.

[cajunmart]

great stuff.

[loneroze]

I have never seen Morris Dancing before, but now I am glad I have. Thank you for the fantastic video!

[umbongosidboatang]

wow them morriss dancings are well wicked!!!!

respect the morriss crew ... hold tight ... respect...you really owned them there !!!!

[cfalien]

I dont imagine they could sneek up on you easily

[mysticbec]

hi

i am a dancer with this group, hunters moon morris, i am also quite young and love carrying this tradition on !

and yes we do hit and knuckles and it hurts SOO much!! lol

[mongorich]

You must be the little guy, eh? Nice work, I enjoyed this video. Keep dancing!

[fellaaakalaa]

this is weird. it's kinda sinister

[saskatoonian]

Estos son los concheros británicos. Un baile lamentable como la Sardana. De vergüenza ajena el "Morris Dancing"

[Morris4beer]

It is border. I recognised the willy-wacking dance. Loved it.

[mongorich]

pardon my ignorance, but what is "border"?

[TheMisterFox]

A kind of morris dance from the English-Welsh border.

[elmstreet158]

The Morris is a wonderful rustic dance that for this English person transcends any analysis - it is pure mischief. Lovely!

[Loopyjuice]

I am from WIMBORNE wohoo! love this festival every year !

[Xequ]

Is that border?

[ChrisYonts]

Jesus.

[WitchesSky]

How brilliant! Always on the lookout for Morris Dancing in Norfolk and Suffolk but never seem to see any.. :(

[erzbet07]

Great. Morris dancing is not something we see here in the States but I love its lively nature and music. Glad there are folks who want to keep the tradition going. Thanks for posting.

[Zigither]

Excellent thanks!

[logibear64]

Glad there are some folk that keep these old traditions alive. If you don't like well as the late, Great, Benny Hill once said "You either like Picasso or you don't."

[thesicfreak]

the english rugby team should do a dance like that to scare the all blacks while they're doing the hake LOL! LOL! LOL!

[ladykalessia]

You might want to clarify that you're talking about the team "The All-Blacks" and not, you know, the race.

[mookindahouse]

how racist.

[hawkmoon03111951]

Nothing to do with race. The faces were blacked to avoid recognition by employers during things like the plough monday celebrations.

[andrewwigglesworth]

Half-blind employers at that. A bit of burnt cork on the face and you can't be recognised, pull the other one, it's got Morris bells on :-D

The most likely connection is, yes, a type of disguise but one that is linked to the whole idea of dressing up in kit and *becoming* a Morris dancer. Stepping away from your everyday persona and putting on another.

You can see it with many Mummers and dancers around the world.

That and the fact that modern people like dressing up in stage paints.

[Frottagecub]

@hawkmoon03111951 ummm, they are suppose to be ravens ... I hope those who watched were smart enough to notice and not make racial tension on this particular video posting

[hydra68]

Great Video and Great Website :)

[HenryFalkner]

I like that one. Good editing, too.

[Superapplefrog]

Because it's a traditional English dance, just like a traditional African dance, which is absolutely nothing like modern dance, makes Africans proud

[EllieStrong]

lmao ahhh the morris dancers.. i go evry year :)

[bluefool2]

all thats worst about this country, a bunch of muppets capering around for our "amusement"done by people who enjoy rambling,growing beards,folk music etc get a life you saddos.

[PaintedSilence]

people are allowed to enjoy life the way they like, your just jealous as you haven't figured out how to enjoy yours yet.

[WitchesSky]

Yes, if you dont like it, dont watch it... saddo's are people who trawl around youtube just to leave negative comments..

[rooney68]

a great advertisment of why cousins shouldnt marry although a great deal better than them skirt wearing blokes from the pipe and drums section...splitters

[XSEAWITCH]

I was at Chepstow's Twop Rivers festival today, lots of great border morris teams there, wonderful.

[darrensgirl22]

is it true that the folk festival is gonna be at canford next year instead of wimborne? there is a roumer going round... i am 22 and have been every year without fail x

[scattynim]

definately the best morris side..but then with such a great choreogrpher and fiddle player...!!! (sorry Long Man's!)

[neptown]

I was at wimborne folk thing today! 2007.

Do they ever hit their knuckles? if so it must hurt like hell! great day out today, keep up the tradition

[gospelandmore]

Lovely! Enjoyed very much, I've been to a workshop in Cecil Sharp School in London some years ago and loved it Alessandra

[kyokasuga]

Really interesting to no-english people like me! :)

[dazman55]

Makes me proud to be English

[nudeone34]

great tradition & rythmn...fun all round...thanks for letting us view...

[malsun74]

watch out for a big red bearded fellow called Colin,

his folk tunes in Dorset pubs are a sight to behold (the great ale helps too).

[TRATOLProductions]

Excellent work, keep on keeping our heritage alive!

[notsosmall]

That looks like fun!

[alabar1]

you can see the Shropshire Bedlams influence in alot of sides now - a Good Thing!

[squireluckyshot]

excellent job; excellent side!