Morris Dancing: A brief overview
There are many styles and traditions within morris dancing. Here's a short introduction to the wonderful world of Morris.
North West Morris: From the North West of England, North West morris is traditionally done in clogs. A strong style of dance with high impact, it focuses on the shapes, or figures, created by the side. Frequently danced in sets of 8 with a 'caller' at the front, although there are dances with other configurations.
Cotswold Morris: From Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire, Cotswold Morris is danced with bells around the dancer's calves and either hankies or sticks. At one time, every village in these areas would have had their own side, dancing in a style unique to the village. This is still true of many villages, including Bampton, Headington and Kirtlington.
Border Morris: From the English/Welsh border, border morris is traditionally done in rag jackets and faces are sometimes painted in bright colours. Danced with sticks, it is another high impact tradition, often accompanied by shrieks and whoops.
Molly Dancing: Found in the Cambridgeshire Fens, Molly is also often done with brightly coloured faces. A very angular style of dancing it is very high energy.
Rapper Sword Dancing: From the North East of England and linked to the mining towns, rapper is danced in sets of five using flexible double handled swords. Very fast and furious, it is also highly competitive with the Dancing English Rapper Tournament (DERT) held every year.
Longsword Dancing: Most commonly found in Yorkshire, longsword is danced in sets of 6 with rigid, single handed swords. A more stately style, longsword can have a mesmerising effect on the audience.
Mummers Plays: Traditional plays, often based on the characters of the black knight and St. George. A mix of comedy and singing, they are associated with winter time and celebrate the coming of new life and the New Year.
North West Morris: From the North West of England, North West morris is traditionally done in clogs. A strong style of dance with high impact, it focuses on the shapes, or figures, created by the side. Frequently danced in sets of 8 with a 'caller' at the front, although there are dances with other configurations.
Cotswold Morris: From Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire, Cotswold Morris is danced with bells around the dancer's calves and either hankies or sticks. At one time, every village in these areas would have had their own side, dancing in a style unique to the village. This is still true of many villages, including Bampton, Headington and Kirtlington.
Border Morris: From the English/Welsh border, border morris is traditionally done in rag jackets and faces are sometimes painted in bright colours. Danced with sticks, it is another high impact tradition, often accompanied by shrieks and whoops.
Molly Dancing: Found in the Cambridgeshire Fens, Molly is also often done with brightly coloured faces. A very angular style of dancing it is very high energy.
Rapper Sword Dancing: From the North East of England and linked to the mining towns, rapper is danced in sets of five using flexible double handled swords. Very fast and furious, it is also highly competitive with the Dancing English Rapper Tournament (DERT) held every year.
Longsword Dancing: Most commonly found in Yorkshire, longsword is danced in sets of 6 with rigid, single handed swords. A more stately style, longsword can have a mesmerising effect on the audience.
Mummers Plays: Traditional plays, often based on the characters of the black knight and St. George. A mix of comedy and singing, they are associated with winter time and celebrate the coming of new life and the New Year.
