Come to Thaxted in Essex on the first weekend of June, and see it done properly in a quaint olde village late in the evening, with a spooky tune on the fiddle rather than a jolly ditty.
Excellent, thank you. I was just reading about this, (the sort of thing I read :) ) and wondered if it was on YouTube. The origins are seemingly obscure, aren't they? I'm glad to have seen it. Thank you.
@ElunedLOTR hey the main reason (we believe) for the whole dance itself is it was a fertility dance hence why they used to go round to all the farms and dance there :-) but we dont go to that many farms now but there are a fair few
Everyone should visit this in September - it's a wonderful example of our heritage being kept alive. If you want to discover the true magic behind the ritual read - Dance for Deeron - by Jany E Winslade. See you there this year.
It doesn't have any particular meaning - it's just one of a number of odd British traditions. Google "Abbots Bromley Horn Dance" or see the Wikipedia article. Other such traditions are the game of "Haxey Hood" in Lincolnshire and the "Burry Man" of South Queensferry (both on YouTube). It just proves that we are an eccentric breed!
Well, yes of course - but the English have no monopoly of eccentric British customs. Note that I mentioned the "Burry Man" of South Queensferry (in Scotland).
That could well have been the original purpose, though (as Wikipedia suggests) the use of antlers might have had something to do with hunting - to ensure a plentiful catch etc. I only wish I could be at Abbots Bromley today. Anyway, as I live within a good bowman's shot of Haxey, I'll be there in January for the Haxey Hood game!
See Benedict le Vay's book "Eccentric Britain" for details of these odd customs (ISBN 1841621226 - well worth reading).
@Wadsleyite those particular antlers are over 1000 years old as we got them carbon dated a while back and the carbon dating wasnt very accurate then but it said the antlers are at least 1000 years old. i love being so in touch with history as i am one of the dancers myself :-)
Come to Thaxted in Essex on the first weekend of June, and see it done properly in a quaint olde village late in the evening, with a spooky tune on the fiddle rather than a jolly ditty.
GodzillaMonstaMan 1 month ago
So, what'd they play before the advent of the accordion?
Jcolinsol 1 year ago
Excellent, thank you. I was just reading about this, (the sort of thing I read :) ) and wondered if it was on YouTube. The origins are seemingly obscure, aren't they? I'm glad to have seen it. Thank you.
ElunedLOTR 1 year ago
@ElunedLOTR hey the main reason (we believe) for the whole dance itself is it was a fertility dance hence why they used to go round to all the farms and dance there :-) but we dont go to that many farms now but there are a fair few
mikegreb 1 year ago
Everyone should visit this in September - it's a wonderful example of our heritage being kept alive. If you want to discover the true magic behind the ritual read - Dance for Deeron - by Jany E Winslade. See you there this year.
jaynEwinslade 1 year ago
Great Guys keeoing Traditiona alive! Appearing at Uttoxeter Mayfest on Sunday 2nd May 2010
UttoxeterMayfest 1 year ago
I heard this dance is ancient and shamanistic. I don't understand...what is this supposed to mean or represent.
RainbowBrite80 2 years ago
It doesn't have any particular meaning - it's just one of a number of odd British traditions. Google "Abbots Bromley Horn Dance" or see the Wikipedia article. Other such traditions are the game of "Haxey Hood" in Lincolnshire and the "Burry Man" of South Queensferry (both on YouTube). It just proves that we are an eccentric breed!
Wadsleyite 2 years ago
English
Wyrdtimes 2 years ago
Well, yes of course - but the English have no monopoly of eccentric British customs. Note that I mentioned the "Burry Man" of South Queensferry (in Scotland).
Wadsleyite 2 years ago
Eccentric behaviour is everywhere pretty much. England, Scotland &Wales' being a small countries, seems to have a lot though. Let it continue!
radiodarkhorse 2 years ago
isnt it to help the crops grow or somin?
fromagefreya 2 years ago
That could well have been the original purpose, though (as Wikipedia suggests) the use of antlers might have had something to do with hunting - to ensure a plentiful catch etc. I only wish I could be at Abbots Bromley today. Anyway, as I live within a good bowman's shot of Haxey, I'll be there in January for the Haxey Hood game!
See Benedict le Vay's book "Eccentric Britain" for details of these odd customs (ISBN 1841621226 - well worth reading).
Wadsleyite 2 years ago
@Wadsleyite those particular antlers are over 1000 years old as we got them carbon dated a while back and the carbon dating wasnt very accurate then but it said the antlers are at least 1000 years old. i love being so in touch with history as i am one of the dancers myself :-)
mikegreb 1 year ago
That's Lintake Drive, opposite the fire station LuvDaDoc. I was born and (inter)bred just round the corner and only ever missed one horn dance.
twodot85 3 years ago
which road is this in i live in bromley but dont recognise it
LuvDaDoc 3 years ago
No idea! only been there once, and that was for a couple hours only over a year ago - apologies!
ShropshireTraveller 3 years ago
@LuvDaDoc It's Lintake Drive
radiodarkhorse 1 year ago
@LuvDaDoc its next to the fire station isnt it :s
iiJoshbromley 4 months ago
Awesome - certainly beats the crap out of the other so-called 'Abbots Bromley Horn Dances' on YouTube - beware of imitations!
sabrinaeden 4 years ago
Yep!...when you've seen the real thing, some of the others are really quite dreadful! Thanks for the warning!
mikeartist 4 years ago
Never seen this before...thanks for sharing! Full marks!
mikeartist 4 years ago
it's fantastic, isn't it? Just on this Monday morning gone; next one I think is 8th Sept in 2008, when all being well I'll follow them all day.
ShropshireTraveller 4 years ago