morris dancers
Bells and handkerchiefs
Morris dancers are performers of morris dancing, a traditional English folk dance characterized by rhythmic stepping, choreographed figures, and the waving of handkerchiefs or clashing of sticks.
Dancers typically wear bells on their shins and distinctive costumes—often white with colorful sashes.
The tradition dates to the fifteenth century and persists at village fairs and folk festivals: The morris dancers performed on the green.
English sheep-country region
Struck metal sound-makers
- ribbonsNarrow fabric strips
- sashesDecorative fabric bands worn
- rosettesCircular ornamental clusters
- tabardsSleeveless emblazoned overgarments
smocks · breeches · clogs · top hats · bowler hats · feathers · hankies · handkerchiefs
Slender wood pieces
- hankiesCloth nose wipers
- swordsEdged fighting weapons
- ribbonsNarrow fabric strips
- hobby horseToy mount on pole
antlers · concertina · melodeon · accordion · fiddle · tambourine · drum
Tall ribbon-wrapped post
- solsticeDay of maximum tilt
- equinoxSun crosses celestial midline
- harvestGathering mature crops
- fertilityCapacity for reproduction
spring · pagan · blessing · seasonal · ancient · revival · ceremony · procession
Emergency radio cry
- wassailingFestive door-to-door singing
- mummersCostumed folk play performers
- folk revivalTraditional music movement resurgence
- village greenShared central lawn
Cotswold
English sheep-country region
longsword · Lancashire · Yorkshire · Oxfordshire · Gloucestershire
bells
Struck metal sound-makers
tabards · smocks · breeches · clogs · top hats · bowler hats · feathers · hankies · handkerchiefs · armbands
sticks
Slender wood pieces
hobby horse · antlers · concertina · melodeon · accordion · fiddle · tambourine · drum
maypole
Tall ribbon-wrapped post
fertility · spring · pagan · blessing · seasonal · ancient · revival · ceremony · procession
May Day
Emergency radio cry
- wassailingFestive door-to-door singing
- mummersCostumed folk play performers
- folk revivalTraditional music movement resurgence
village green · pub · ale · squire · bagman · fool · foreman · side · team · kit
jig
Spirited folk dance
- reelWinding cylinder or dance
- steppingMoving on foot
- processionalCeremonial entrance music
figures · hey · capers · galley · sidestep · leaping · stamping · clash · wave · circle
- village fetetombola, raffle, coconut shy, hook a duck, hoopla
- parade participantsmarching band, floats, drum majors, majorettes, baton twirlers
morris dancersbreakdancers
Hip-hop acrobatic performers
flamenco dancers · Bollywood dancers · samba dancers · belly dancers · hula dancers