(Photo by Alan Wilkinson) If the thought of middle-aged or elderly English gentlemen cavorting around with their pants tucked into long socks, waving handkerchiefs or brandishing sticks, fills you with horror, you'd better look away now. Today we're featuring the much-maligned English folk tradition called morris dancing. Some say it dates back to the 15th century. Actor William Kempe was drawing pictures of the folk dance back in 1600, so its medieval roots are certainly undeniable. Roll on to the 21st century, and morris dancing is still going strong, and it's danced the world over. It even has its very own Wiki, so there's progress for you. Whatever you think about this strange phenomenon you'll certainly be in plentiful company should you ever choose to try it out for yourself. Morris men (and women) of the world, we salute you, despite the bizarreness of your costumes, and the strangeness of your dancing. Suggested Sites... What Is Morris? - a primer, in brief. The Morris Ring - ever expanding. YouTube: Morris Dancing Videos - has to be seen to be believed. Morris Dancing Wiki - probably more than you'll ever need to know. BBC News: Confessions of a Morris Dancer - no, not those kind of confessions.

Directory categories: Morris Dancing, Morris Dance Teams, Folk and Traditional Dance, United Kingdom

Archived under: Cultures, Dance, Morris Dancing, Regional, United Kingdom

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