The History of Folk Dancing

Most people do not realise how many folk customs and traditions England has . Just as they fail to appreciate how wide spread traditional dancing is or how far back in history it goes. English traditional dances although in many ways unique should not be seen as an isolated tradition. Comparisons have been made and similarities have identified between Cotswold Morris and the traditional dances of countries like Tunisia or Iran. Comparisons have also been made between our own longsword dances and the traditional sword dances of Germany, Belgium, Italy, and Spain. Suggesting that Morris dancing can be seen as part of a world wide group of traditional dances. Common themes among these world wide dances are the disguise often used, and the fact that the dances are predominantly danced by men. England and Britain as a whole is particularly lucky as it has an especially rich and diverse set of traditional dances. With many different types and variations of English traditional Morris and Sword Dancing surviving into the 2nd millennium AD.

The earliest reference to a predecessor of modern Morris dancing is a rock carving in upper Egypt dating from approximately 3400 BC. There is also written evidence from Latin and Greek authors who talk about dancers who's job it was to call in the spring . Just as dancers still do today. On the 1st May , dancers still rise at dawn to help welcome in the summer and make the land fertile. These early writings also refer to bells and the clashing and banging of sticks .Examples of which can still be seen today in Morris dancing.There are also some written references to Morris dancing in

Shakespeare.Which indicate that the custom was considered ancient at that time. During the Interregnum many traditions were banned by puritans. However the restoration of Charles II in 1660 saw a revival. Indicating how important it was to rural culture. Morris dancing came under threat again during the industrial revolution in the late 19th century , when social change meant that people moved from rural communities into towns and cities , leaving behind them the tradition of Morris dancing. However due to the efforts of people like Cecil Sharp many of the traditional dances were rescued from the brink of extinction, and preserved so that new generations could enjoy them. Many Morris sides like the Southport Swords were formed in the folk revival period of the 1960's and 1970's.

We know that these dances originate from a pre-Christian time and contain in them pre-Christian themes. For example the theme of death and resurrection that is evident in many longsword dances. The sword lock is placed over a dancers head then , all the swords are then pulled out simultaneously and the Dancer falls down as if to mimic death. He is then subsequently revived .

Although in many ways we are unable to explain the full or exact meaning of many of our traditional dances we can suggest possible explanations. The unbroken sword dances like rapper may Signify the unbroken ring of life. The lock raised at the end of the dance is often seen to represent the sun in some form of worship or fertility rite. We can also suggest many symbolic reasons behind Cotswold Morris dances. The bells are said to scare away or ward of evil sprits or demons and the banging of sticks on the ground is said to awaken mother nature and make the ground fertile.The white hankies are sometimes said to be a sign of purity, but it has also been said that the waving of hankies is an effort to attract the good spirits of spring and summer. The clashing of

sticks in these Cotswold Morris Dances is often seen as a symbol of the eternal battle between good and evil , or summer and winter.
It is thought in many cases that all types of Morris dancing may be seen as a way of influencing and paying respect to the powerful natural forces which govern our lives not only in the past but also in modern society.

The word Morris also has doubt surrounding its roots. It is claimed that it came from the word Moorish indicating that the dances may have originated from Africa. However, it is possibly more likely that it is derived from the Latin word Moris. Meaning custom or tradition.