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| Sunday 23 March, 2008 |
The Origins of Morris DanceA little word on the origins of Morris Dancing byDavid Dunham There are many different types of Morris Dancing being performed across the country, some of them adhering closely to tradition by using notations taken from the early part of the 20th Century, and others that have used the traditional styles as a starting point for creating something new. Morris dancing, officially, harks back to the 15C, with church records using the term, or something very close to it, for the first time when accounting for money handed out for materials. There obviously must have been some sort of build-up to this, and many suggest that the major influence was from the Moors of Northern Africa, who colonised Spain and parts of Southern Europe. There are also those who speculate that the origins go back further than that on our own soil, though that is not to count out the many incoming influences that would have affected the living tradition. So, could it be that Morris Dancing is a natural progression of celebrating around a fire after a stag has been killed to feed the tribe for a week or two? Over years, perhaps, as tribes become organised into workforces and communities, were these spontaneous celebrations formalised into a custom or tradition which grew and changed with every year and cultural intrusion. The fact that traditional dance developed across the world in practically every culture would suggest this to be close to the case. Though, when trying to find a root to Morris Dancing, we can often seem to demand too strict a pathway to the past. Do we find it so difficult to get to an absolute source because it is too deeply a part of us, with the Morris Dancing we perform today only and echo of the original purpose? That would indicate that the real spirit of the first Morris Dancing is in the Night Clubs and Festivals of today. As for the name, and please don't ask which one of us is Morris, there are a couple of ideas on that too: first of all, that it is a direct descendent from the term Moorish, meaning of the Moors; and then there is the idea that it is a variation of the word mores (pronounced morays), which is an English word meaning 'the customs and manners of a local group'. Personally, I believe the latter, which also seems to fit in with the idea of an evolving tradition that is part of a developing community. Not that the topic of Morris origins is a moot point, but I should point out that my personal opinions do not reflect that of Woodside Morris Men as a whole, or even in part! Just about everyone has their own idea... |
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Morris Dancing is an aerobic form of dance which provides healthy exercise and social activity. Woodside's Foreman, Dave Pearse, is an expert instructor, having trained Morris Dancers, both new and experienced, for over twenty years, as well as being a folk dancer of nearly four decades' experience. During the Winter, Woodside Morris Men meet at 8.00pm on Wednesday nights in the Colne River Rooms at the Pump House Arts Centre Watford. You would be most welcome to come along. |
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