The Morris Federation also includes members who perform similar forms of traditional dance or customs from the UK and further afield. Appalachian Rather than sewing ribbons onto a t shirt I decided to add ribbons to two bands that N could slip over his head and across his body in a cross shape.

Review of the online talk given by Chloe Middleton-Metcalfe on Saturday 7th November 2021, to an audience of over 40 people on Zoom. It would be remiss of this historian to write about Morris dance but not talk about the live music that often accompanies the dancers. Morris bands utilize traditional instruments ( concertina, fiddle, melodian, accordion, pipes, tabor) and are percussion driven. Bands can range in size from a single musician to tens of people, depending on the style of dance and the preference of the side. Musicians often dress to match the dancers and are an integral part of the performance.Cotswold [ edit ] Cotswold-style Morris dancing in the grounds of Wells Cathedral, Wells, England – Exeter Morris Men If it was a minstrel type of show, that’s a different sort of context and we might have a different opinion.” In 1924, members of the Cambridge Morris Men (as the Travelling Morrice) toured some of the villages where Sharp had collected morris dances. They danced in these villages and met many old dancers, who taught them more dances, tunes and steps. In subsequent years more tours were made through the area, resulting in additional morris dance material being collected. The Morris Federation started out as The Women’s Morris Federation with an aim to give support to female Morris sides. There had been a rise in the number of women publicly performing Morris dances, and although this is perfectly acceptable, male Morris sides dominated the scene. Wright, Lucy (2018). ‘Girls’ Carnival Morris Dancing and the Politics of Participation’, The Histories of the Morris in Britain, Vaughan Williams Memorial Library Press, pp. 295 – 312. https://media.efdss.org/docs/HOM/HOM%20Wright%20Girl%20Can%20Morris%20Dance.pdf

Hankies – square cloths used as props for the dance to accentuate the gestures; an abbreviated form of a handkerchief N’s definitely not a performer, but he is one of those children who expects everything to be just right, and knows everything that’s going on (or should be). He knew what everyone’s characters should be doing, many of their lines, and who’s on next. Maybe he should be a director in future.The historic sight of Handsworth sword dancing can still be seen to this day on Boxing Day morning in Sheffield in front of St Mary's Church. Rapper The name "Morris" is generally seen to be as a corruption of the Spanish word "Morisco," referring to the Arabs who occupied Southern Europe throughout much of the Middle Ages. This has led many historians to assume that Morris dancing has its roots in the traditional dance of the Moriscos. However, as Morris dance bears minimal resemblance to Moorish traditional dance this theory has been discarded by modern historians. Baby Jesus got thrown down, meaning laughter from the audience, with Mary looking confused and wondering why The Women’s Morris Federation was inaugurated in October 1975. In 1982, the federation started welcoming mixed sides. It, later on, evolved into The Morris Foundation where Morris dancers unite, regardless of gender. During the late 1920s and early 1930s, morris and sword clubs were being formed throughout England. In 1934 six of these sides came together to form the Morris Ring, the oldest morris organisation in England. The founding sides came from Cambridge, East Surrey, Greensleeves, Letchworth, Oxford University and Thaxted. In November 1947 Princess Elizabeth (now the Queen) and Prince Philip honeymooned in the USA, and in 1951 they had a State visit to Canada. They were photographed square dancing. This, along with the Festival of Britain celebrations and the Queens Coronation, led indirectly to a further interest in folk and morris dancing, and more sides were formed. The popularity of morris has continued with new sides still being formed today. Morris Sides and Styles

Throughout its history in England, morris dancing has been through many manifestations. Five hundred years ago it was a dance for one or two; today it is for four or more. Accounts of morris dancing can be found throughout England, making it a nationwide phenomenon. It is probable the term morris developed from the French word morisque (meaning a dance, the dance), which became morisch in Flemish, and then the English moryssh, moris and finally morris. Flanders in the fifteenth century was an innovative cultural centre, and strongly influenced European culture in general. The earliest confirmation of a performance of morris dancing in England dates from London on 19 May 1448, when Moryssh daunsers were paid 7s (35p) for their services.Mumming or mummers’ plays are a type of folk play performed by troupes of amateur actors known as mummers or guisers (also by local names such as rhymers, pace-eggers, soulers, tipteerers, wrenboys, and galoshins). Known in many areas of Europe but particularly common in England, Scotland and Ireland, plays combine music, dance, and sword fighting in episodes involving the death and revival of a character or characters. North West Morris