Border

Border Morris, aka Bedlam Morris, aka Dark Morris, originates from Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire and dates back to the 17th century. Wild dances, raucous dancers, driving rhythms and enthusiastic crashing of sticks. Stand well back! Dancers generally wear black with masses of highly colourful rag ribbons and elaborate hats, often featuring tall pheasant feathers. Traditionally Border dancers had blackened faces conferring anonymity on the dancers who were supplementing their income by a bit of illegal dancing and begging. The disguise was necessary so the performers were not recognised and then prosecuted for begging, or victimised by their landlords. Today, dancers usually have a variety of colourful face paints