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…