Border Morris

Border Morris

The border in question is the English-Welsh border. The style of dancing from this area is characterised by men who blacken their faces as a disguise, and often wear rag jackets. The dances are generally stick dances, and the emphasis tends to be on enthusiasm and spectacle rather than the grace and precision of cotswold morris.

Silurian Border Morris at Saddleworth Rushcart c.1993 Photo ©John Adams

Here's an item about the history of the practice of Blacking Up, which some Border sides use, and which has been recently controversial:-

‘Blacking Up’: English Folk Traditions and Changing Perceptions about Black People in England

Submitted for the degree of Master of Philosophy by Patricia Bater

National Centre for English Cultural Tradition March 2013 PDF