Morris dance

Morris dance Page issues Cotswold Morris with handkerchiefs A small statue of a "Moriskentänzer" made by Erasmus Grasser in 1480 for Old Townhall in Munich, one of a set of 16, of which only 10 remain. This dancer has an appearance which would be described at the time as "moorish", but all the other nine surviving carvings are fairer-skinned. All wear bells on their legs. Morris dance is a form of English folk dance usually accompanied by music. It is based on rhythmic stepping and the execution of choreographed figures by a group of dancers, usually wearing bell pads on their shins. Implements such as sticks, swords and handkerchiefs may also be wielded by the dancers. In a small number of dances for one or two people, steps are near and across a pair of clay tobacco pipes laid one across the other on the floor. The earliest known and surviving English written mention of Morris dance is dated to 1448, and records the payment of seven shillings to Morris dancers by the Goldsmiths' Company in London.[1] Further mentions of Morris dancing occur in the late 15th century, and there are also early records such as bishops' "Visitation Articles" mention sword dancing, guising and other dancing activities, as well as mumming plays. While the earliest records invariably mention "Morys" in a court setting, and a little later in the Lord Mayors' Processions in London, it had assumed the nature of a folk dance performed in the parishes by the mid 17th century. There are around 150 Morris sides (or teams) in the United States.[2] English expatriates form a larger part of the Morris tradition in Australia, Canada, New Zealand[3] and Hong Kong. There are isolated groups in other countries, for example those in Utrecht and Helmond,[4] Netherlands; the Arctic Morris Group of Helsinki,[5] Finland and Stockholm, Sweden; as well as in Cyprus.[6] Name and origins History in England Styles Music Terminology Evolution Kit and