Morris dance - a traditional folk dance among the English.

'as with many folk customs, the origins are hidden in the mists of time and coloured by later perceptions, which may or may not have been correct', Alun Howkins

 Morris dance is a traditional folk dance among the English.  Since its first recorded inception during the 1400s, Morris dance has become a stable of English folk heritage that has reached across the globe for English people who continue to the tradition as well as introduction of the tradition in new forms.

 By the early 16th century morris dancing had become a fixture of Church festivals. In mediaeval and Renaissance England, the churches brewed and sold ales, including wassail. These ales were sold for many occasions, both seasonal and sacramental - there were christening ales, bride's ales, clerk, wake and Whitsun ales - and were an important means of fund-raising for churches.

 Later in the century the morris became attached to village fetes, and the May Day revels; Shakespeare says "as fit as a morris for May Day" and "a Whitsun morris dance. . William Kemp danced a solo morris from London to Norwich in 1600. Morris Dancing was popular in Tudor times. However under Cromwell it fell out of favour and was actively discouraged by many Puritans. The ales were suppressed by the Puritan authorities in the seventeenth century and, when some reappeared in the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries, they usually had associated dancing.

 Morris dance consists of simple rhythmic gestures with sticks, swords, ankle bells and colorful scarfs. Over the course of time, Morris dance has evolved to include women; however, originally it was a cultural performance for men. Some of the gendered divisions still apply, both in England and abroad, as Morris dance is a tool of social cohesion, comradery, and connection to heritage that single gendered groups utilize to strengthen psycho-social communications

 The dance being performed such as May Day, Christmas, and Whitsun

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 As Morris dance has traveled due to English expansion and immigration, Morris dance has entered into new frontiers and cultural mellitus. In the USA, Morris dance has experienced opportunities to be a part of efforts to celebrate multicultural heritage and a way to connect Americans with a variety of English traditions. It’s visible, participatory, and entertaining display is ideals for showcasing uniquely regional flavors, and serves as a vehicle to explore the differences between English regional expressions in their nuances as thoughtful demonstration

THANKS TIM for WONDERFUL PHOTOS