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One theory is that the word "Morris" comes from "Moorish"
and that there are links with Africa via the moors in Spain. Some
say this is why some traditions black their faces, others say that
this merely comes from a convenient way to disguise your face with
soot from the chimney. Do the sticks represent swords or are they,
and the bells, making noises to frighten away evil spirits?
Back to reality; Glory of the West is part of a long revival of
Morris that happened in the 70s. Today there are four main forms
of the Morris, each with its own style and traditions.
The main one that people think of when they think of Morris men
and the one that we do, is Cotswold Morris, based, would you believe,
in the villages of the Cotswold region. Each village had its own
style, and dances are performed with hankies ("Wavers")
and sticks, with bells worn on the feet or legs. The styles that
we dance are from the villages of Ilmington, Wheatley and Ascot.
Then there is Northwest Morris, performed wearing clogs and associated
with the mill towns of North West England. The dancers often use
items such as Bobbins from the cotton mills, and are often accompanied
by large bands with very loud drums.
Border Morris comes from the Welsh Border regions and this is the
tradition that involves blacking the face. Lots of yelling and exuberance
usually comes into it as well.
Lastly is Molly Dancing which comes from East Anglia, performed
like Border with Black faces but without the bells.
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