Wednesday 19 October 2011

There He Goaz



Another picture from the  York Traditional Dance Festival. These are long sword dancers and likely to be a local group as this form of folk dancing is performed mainly in Yorkshire. The dancers often wear a military type costume, and make a series of intricate movements whilst holding wooden handled swords. The dance is completed when the six swords are locked together to form a star which is held aloft by the dance captain.

There He Goaz in the background was taking the hat round collecting money as the dancers performed. He has a plough sewn onto the back of his coat, long sword dancers often perform at plough blessing ceremonies in their local church.

1 comment:

  1. Not seen this type of folk dance before. Not heard of plough blessing either.

    ReplyDelete

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