Morris Dancers practice at Morgenster Cafe in Utrecht, The Netherlands
- 2 yıl önce
Morris is one of the oldest types of dance known, with variations traced through various regions of Europe. The earliest reports date from the middle ages, but these indicate that the Morris must be much older. Despite its advanced age, the Morris is an extremely energetic and spectacular type of dance. The Morris is danced with handkerchiefs, sticks and bells, but there are, for instance, also dance styles that make use of wooden swords and flexible metal 'rappers'.
Actually the Morris is originally not uniquely English. The exact origin of the dancing and all its traditions are difficult to trace. For example, there is talk of "Moorish" or "Moresc dance". The name "Morris" probably comes from the French "Morisque" or "Morisco", which means 'dance'. The question of whether the Morris dance is then French, Spanish, Moorish (or from Morocco), English, or even has other roots, however, remains unanswered by this. It is certainly clear that in the past the Morris was not exclusively English! The oldest references date from around 600 years ago.
The Utrecht Morris Team (UMT) is a team of men who perform traditional Morris dances from the Cotswolds in the southern Midlands of England. They meet once a week in the centre of the city of Utrecht to practice. However, regardless of how much fun it is sometimes, real hard work goes into practicing the Morris dances before they can be performed in public.
Actually the Morris is originally not uniquely English. The exact origin of the dancing and all its traditions are difficult to trace. For example, there is talk of "Moorish" or "Moresc dance". The name "Morris" probably comes from the French "Morisque" or "Morisco", which means 'dance'. The question of whether the Morris dance is then French, Spanish, Moorish (or from Morocco), English, or even has other roots, however, remains unanswered by this. It is certainly clear that in the past the Morris was not exclusively English! The oldest references date from around 600 years ago.
The Utrecht Morris Team (UMT) is a team of men who perform traditional Morris dances from the Cotswolds in the southern Midlands of England. They meet once a week in the centre of the city of Utrecht to practice. However, regardless of how much fun it is sometimes, real hard work goes into practicing the Morris dances before they can be performed in public.