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acroyearblackface-like greasepaint masks have been a common feature of welsh-border morris and other western morris-like traditions for centuries. it has nothing to do with racism or the "blackface" of early 20th century american entertainments. it has far more to do with the "all look the same" aspect of being dirty from coal mining, tin mining, and chimney sweeps. Think the soot-covered sweeps in Mary Poppins and you get the idea.
Well, in spite of the centuries-old history of blackface morris, which as far as anybody knows goes back further in time than any actual black person living in those parts of Britain, the Police decided to do a massive surveilance operation of one festival to determine of the activity was illegally racist, even when the local racial councils have not received a single complaint about the festival (nor has any other border morris team ever received or been the subject of such a complaint).
long story short: if anybody ever tells you that morris dancing or any other british paint-wearing tradition is related to "moors" or in any other way is derived from african traditions, they are wrong or they are lying. there has never been anything racial in these practices, and such fears that the ignorant have come from being over-exposed to American history out of context of their own traditions.
'Blacking up' festival-goers face police race inquiry - By Richard Savill
(Filed: 25/02/2005) - from the "Daily Telegraph"
Organisers of a centuries- old Cornish festival known as Darkie Days, in which locals "black up" and tour the town of Padstow singing minstrel-style songs, could be prosecuted for an offence under the Race Relations Act.
A file on this year's event, together with video footage taken by police during a surveillance operation, has been submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service to assess whether a crime, including inciting racial hatred, has been committed.
Darkie Days celebrations take place in the fishing town each year on Boxing Day and New Year's Day to raise money for charity.
The origins are unknown but there are several theories. They include the possibility that the festival dates back to the travelling mummers of medieval times. Locals dispute another theory that it dates from residents witnessing dancing slaves aboard a ship which called into port.
This year, campaigners from the Cornwall Racial Equality Council in Truro complained to police about the event. Police declined to specify the precise nature of the complaint.
However, as a result, officers filmed the celebrations and have forwarded the footage to the CPS. A spokesman for the CREC could not be contacted yesterday.
Some participants in the event have complained that the police operation was a waste of resources. Local councillors have asked the police for a breakdown of the cost. Participants said it was a peaceful event and raised money for the parish church.
Linda Reynolds, 50, who runs a newsagent in Padstow, said there was "no trace" of racism. She said: "I have always gone out to Darkie Day. It's a tradition I grew up with. If it was even vaguely racist I would be the first one to stand up and shout about it. I used to have a relationship with a black man.
"I can't think of anybody who has a racist thought on Darkie Day. It's a traditional event where people get blacked-up faces. They are not imitating black people."
A pub landlord, who plays the accordion at the event, but did not want to be identified, said the police presence at the festival was unnecessary.
"This year they must have had three or four police vans here, with video cameras and everything," he said. "It makes you wonder where taxpayers' money is going."
Marian Sedgwick, the clerk of Padstow town council, said police had consistently turned down the council's requests for extra officers for general duties on the grounds that the crime rate was too low. About 370 crimes were committed in the town last year.
Devon and Cornwall Police declined to give details of the cost of the Darkie Days operation. A statement from the force confirmed that it had received a complaint about this year's event.
"As a result of that, officers made video recordings of the activities. This tape has been forwarded to the CPS to establish if any offences have been committed. It is not appropriate to comment further."
The Commission for Racial Equality said it had no links with the Cornwall Racial Equality Council.
A CRE spokesman said it was not aware of the Darkie Days festival. "We have never received a complaint about it," she said.
Well, in spite of the centuries-old history of blackface morris, which as far as anybody knows goes back further in time than any actual black person living in those parts of Britain, the Police decided to do a massive surveilance operation of one festival to determine of the activity was illegally racist, even when the local racial councils have not received a single complaint about the festival (nor has any other border morris team ever received or been the subject of such a complaint).
long story short: if anybody ever tells you that morris dancing or any other british paint-wearing tradition is related to "moors" or in any other way is derived from african traditions, they are wrong or they are lying. there has never been anything racial in these practices, and such fears that the ignorant have come from being over-exposed to American history out of context of their own traditions.
'Blacking up' festival-goers face police race inquiry - By Richard Savill
(Filed: 25/02/2005) - from the "Daily Telegraph"
Organisers of a centuries- old Cornish festival known as Darkie Days, in which locals "black up" and tour the town of Padstow singing minstrel-style songs, could be prosecuted for an offence under the Race Relations Act.
A file on this year's event, together with video footage taken by police during a surveillance operation, has been submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service to assess whether a crime, including inciting racial hatred, has been committed.
Darkie Days celebrations take place in the fishing town each year on Boxing Day and New Year's Day to raise money for charity.
The origins are unknown but there are several theories. They include the possibility that the festival dates back to the travelling mummers of medieval times. Locals dispute another theory that it dates from residents witnessing dancing slaves aboard a ship which called into port.
This year, campaigners from the Cornwall Racial Equality Council in Truro complained to police about the event. Police declined to specify the precise nature of the complaint.
However, as a result, officers filmed the celebrations and have forwarded the footage to the CPS. A spokesman for the CREC could not be contacted yesterday.
Some participants in the event have complained that the police operation was a waste of resources. Local councillors have asked the police for a breakdown of the cost. Participants said it was a peaceful event and raised money for the parish church.
Linda Reynolds, 50, who runs a newsagent in Padstow, said there was "no trace" of racism. She said: "I have always gone out to Darkie Day. It's a tradition I grew up with. If it was even vaguely racist I would be the first one to stand up and shout about it. I used to have a relationship with a black man.
"I can't think of anybody who has a racist thought on Darkie Day. It's a traditional event where people get blacked-up faces. They are not imitating black people."
A pub landlord, who plays the accordion at the event, but did not want to be identified, said the police presence at the festival was unnecessary.
"This year they must have had three or four police vans here, with video cameras and everything," he said. "It makes you wonder where taxpayers' money is going."
Marian Sedgwick, the clerk of Padstow town council, said police had consistently turned down the council's requests for extra officers for general duties on the grounds that the crime rate was too low. About 370 crimes were committed in the town last year.
Devon and Cornwall Police declined to give details of the cost of the Darkie Days operation. A statement from the force confirmed that it had received a complaint about this year's event.
"As a result of that, officers made video recordings of the activities. This tape has been forwarded to the CPS to establish if any offences have been committed. It is not appropriate to comment further."
The Commission for Racial Equality said it had no links with the Cornwall Racial Equality Council.
A CRE spokesman said it was not aware of the Darkie Days festival. "We have never received a complaint about it," she said.
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Re: Interesting ...
Date: 2005-02-27 09:30 pm (UTC)otherwise, the only other traditional english custom in a circle dance (besides some country dances) would be the maypole itself, but that has origins in celtic reel figures, "heys" in english terminology. basic pass on the left, then pass on the right, which is pretty darn universal.