Britannia Coconut Dancers…it’s a long, strange tale indeed!
Alan Dearling shares his very first experience with them on a 7 mile musical clog dance around the boundaries of Bacup…Racist or nay? The roots are over 150 years old and have roots in Mumming and mining communities blowing off steam. Black face? Banned! BACUP dancers banned themselves from the Morris Dancing league! Only the British could do this!
While carrying on dancing!
Britannia Coconut Dancers…it’s a long, strange tale indeed!
“Dear fellow Al.
The issue of Blackface in the Morris tradition is a real pain in the arse.
Much has been made by the politically correct brigade about how unacceptable it is even though its roots don’t seem to have any racial context. More likely coal mining dancers’ self image, or, for dis’Guising’ when out collecting/begging.
The Morris Ring/Federation have bowed to current social pressure and banned it for its members. Bacup expelled themselves… very Bacup!
All the other Blackies have adjusted to different colours or gone to half-face.
Even I have been reprimanded for posting historical photos of our Mummers.
Who dares be a rebel in these conforming times?”
MARTIN FROST MBE
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