Posted on 06/29/2009 1:20:24 PM PDT by vimto
A troupe of morris dancers were prevented from performing at a school because they blacken their faces, they have claimed.
Members of Motley Morris group, who are based in Dartford, Kent, smear black make-up across their faces as part of their traditional costume.
They were meant to perform their routine at Chantry Primary School in Gravesend on Friday but were asked not to attend due to fears they could cause offence.
Spokesman Simon Ford said: "Our style of morris dancing originates from the Welsh/Shropshire borders. Our blackened faces are a form of disguise. Traditionally they used burnt cork, which came out black, but if it had come out red then we would have had red faces, that's all it is. It's part of our English culture which goes back hundreds of years, it's an age-old tradition."
(Excerpt) Read more at uk.news.yahoo.com ...
If you have never seen the Morris men dance with swords you are missing out on life!!!
Hey, Vim....I used to get a hoot out of them marching through the middle of our Yorkshire town in flowers and bells during the ‘solstice’.
They just looked like a bunch of crazy, old hippies (which I’m sure they were) to me. LOL!
Today we have to respect everyone’s traditions — except our own.
There are Morris dance groups here in San Diego
to keep up British traditions.
They wear the typical outfits and fun to watch.
We’ve had Morris dancers in our July 4th parade (”world’s shortest parade”) for several years. They really are a treat to watch.
whoever made this administrative decision should be reprimanded and forced to drug test and pass an IQ test
it is frightening to think that people like this are brainwashing the youth of america
But, dancing been berry berry gud to me.
Lived in Beverly, near Hull. GREAT place.
Try to go to York, if you can. Go to ‘Betty’s Tea Room’ and try to eat a ‘Fat Rascal’. Oh, and have a few pints for me! ;-)
Thanks for that enjoyed every second.
San Diego covers your whole basic neighborhood.
A Major St. George’s Day each year at the
Episcopal Cathedral in San Diego.
Several Brittish, Scottish and Irish dance groups.
Also many who are schools for young people to learn
their traditions here in San Diego
Last weekend was the huge annual Highland Games here.
We also have several large pipe bands,
One of the largest St. Patrick’s day parades in the U.S.
here.
Oh I enjoy York - the railway museum is amazing - but I haven’t hit Betty’s Tea Room - but next time I’m there I’ll go and raise a glass to you and all at FR.
BTW Hull is an unlovely place eh? Not been to Beverly - useually around Leeds, Bradford and surrounding areas.
A few years back a DC dweeb who used a perfectly good word took a lot of heat, because the hearers chose to take offense rather than expand their knowledge (vocabularies). D.C. aide in 'niggardly' flap will return to City Hall
The rate it's going we'll have to ban every entry from "Niger Congo" to "nigrosize". How dark. (Even that statement is probably open to censure.)
It sounds great - actually it sounds more British than we are(though St Patrick’s Day is pretty big here in Wales, - my father playes in an Irish folk band and always ahs bookings).
I was in Liverpool recently about 1000am and a guy came out of the Irish Pub and said ‘come in for a pint’. I said it was too early. He looked sad and said ‘It isn’t like this in Ireland’.
Three neighbor friends a block up are from Surrey, Yorkshire and Liverpool.
The three together with the different dialects are
fun to hear.
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