The Morris is a form of English folk dance based on rhythmic stepping and the execution of choreographed figures by a group of dancers.
Unlike most folk dance, the Morris is not a social dance: it is not a form of social interaction between the genders for their personal pleasure. In this sense, the Morris is probably better described as a ceremonial, or ritual, dance.
The earliest known reference to the Morris is from 1448. Mention of it also occurred in the late 15th century. These early references invariably mention "Morys" in a court setting but, by the mid 17th century, it had adopted the nature of a folk dance performed by local church parishes. Today, there are hundreds of morris dance sides (or teams) all over the world.
Associated with the Morris are other folk customs including theatre (mumming plays) and song which the Vancouver Morris Men include in their repertoire.
Unlike most folk dance, the Morris is not a social dance: it is not a form of social interaction between the genders for their personal pleasure. In this sense, the Morris is probably better described as a ceremonial, or ritual, dance.
The earliest known reference to the Morris is from 1448. Mention of it also occurred in the late 15th century. These early references invariably mention "Morys" in a court setting but, by the mid 17th century, it had adopted the nature of a folk dance performed by local church parishes. Today, there are hundreds of morris dance sides (or teams) all over the world.
Associated with the Morris are other folk customs including theatre (mumming plays) and song which the Vancouver Morris Men include in their repertoire.
July 1-3 2022 saw us celebrating 40 years of morris dancing in Vancouver! Here we are at our 40th Anniversary ale (a..k.a. The Growler) with our Pacific Northwest morris friends. (Check out our Media Archive for more photos & videos of this event.)
