Crosswords0 min ago
Border Morris Dancing
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an ancient tradition that just needs explaining to the modern audience?
or an unacceptably racist form of entertainment that needs consigning to history?
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or an unacceptably racist form of entertainment that needs consigning to history?
http://
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Has it really got anything to do with black people? I suspect it's more to do with chimney sweeping or something like that. There is a fair old mixture of morris dancing types, the two main types being "Cotswold" and "Bedlam" afaik both have their roots in pagan times but during the course of history outside influences have come in.
The explanation that I recently read was that blacking up was done by argricultural workers who had to resort to begging in the winter. It was a disguise so that they would not be regonised and shamed.
This particular novelty act resurrected more recently when its ability to cause offense would be known. At a time when minstel shows and golliwogs were first being shunned, a group of drunken men decided it would be fun to black up and claim a traditional useage. In reality the practice had long died out. So it was meant to offend with the intention of getting publicity for themselves.
Whilst I see no harm in the novelty act itself, their proclamations of innocence are not believable.
This particular novelty act resurrected more recently when its ability to cause offense would be known. At a time when minstel shows and golliwogs were first being shunned, a group of drunken men decided it would be fun to black up and claim a traditional useage. In reality the practice had long died out. So it was meant to offend with the intention of getting publicity for themselves.
Whilst I see no harm in the novelty act itself, their proclamations of innocence are not believable.
It's interesting as said that the 'Blackface/Disguise' aspect has dipped in and out over the centuries it still survives in some groups.
One can understand someone not knowing the history taking it the wrong way.
//To avoid controversy, some modern sides wear masks or colour their faces in different colours.//
^ That seems a reasonable compromise to me.
https:/
One can understand someone not knowing the history taking it the wrong way.
//To avoid controversy, some modern sides wear masks or colour their faces in different colours.//
^ That seems a reasonable compromise to me.
https:/
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Having watched the video above, it made me think that perhaps one of our more ethnically diverse inner city boroughs could promote Morris Dancing amongst our recent asian Immigrant communities. Burkhas could be worn and self flagellation encouraged. Better communication and understanding would be the result.
Morris Dancing has been officially recorded from 1454 it existed at least 200 years before that.
Morris Dancing was discouraged by the church as it was seen as a way for men to 'break the sabbath' by dance and music. To avoid being recognized by Priests and Church elders some dancers took to disguise by blackening their faces with charcoal.
Those who today try to brand Morris sides as racist are just ignorant!
They have no idea of the origin or tradition and are just trying to 'score points' by their ludicrous allegations.
How many Afro Caribbean's were there in Europe in the 1200's when 'blackface' was started?
Another version of the story says that 'Morris' dancing is actually a corruption of 'Moorish Dancing' so the 'Blackface' is an attempt to imitate a 'Moor' who were perceived as being dark skinned.
NOTHING WHATSOEVER TO DO WITH RACISM !!!!
Morris Dancing was discouraged by the church as it was seen as a way for men to 'break the sabbath' by dance and music. To avoid being recognized by Priests and Church elders some dancers took to disguise by blackening their faces with charcoal.
Those who today try to brand Morris sides as racist are just ignorant!
They have no idea of the origin or tradition and are just trying to 'score points' by their ludicrous allegations.
How many Afro Caribbean's were there in Europe in the 1200's when 'blackface' was started?
Another version of the story says that 'Morris' dancing is actually a corruption of 'Moorish Dancing' so the 'Blackface' is an attempt to imitate a 'Moor' who were perceived as being dark skinned.
NOTHING WHATSOEVER TO DO WITH RACISM !!!!
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Divebuddy,
After extensive reasearch, I have managed to find the very cave painting depicting the first kill of roaming Moryses by our troglodyte ancestors.
https:/
After extensive reasearch, I have managed to find the very cave painting depicting the first kill of roaming Moryses by our troglodyte ancestors.
https:/
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