Really interesting article about surviving/reviving West #Cornwall tradition of guise dancing. Sad that I still won’t be able to make it to my first #penzance #montol winter solstice celebration this year #intangibleculturalheritage #culturalheritage
#kernow #culture #livingtraditions

https://tradfolk.co/customs/customs-customs/guise-dancing/

Guise Dancing: the Christmastime mumming tradition of West Cornwall - Tradfolk

Folk culture now

Tradfolk
@laurhod Glad that you enjoyed the article. Guise dancing, despite the large numbers still doing it in Penzance at least, rarely features in studies or popular folklore. This is my attempt to redress the balance, and show that there's more to Cornwall than tourism.
@tom I wonder why it gets left out in folklore? Just not part of the narrative…
@laurhod I think it’s just never been talked about outside of the Cornish circles. Some have been very surprised to hear of literally hundreds of mummers out in the streets. Like a big and wonderfully disguised secret.
@laurhod A shame you won't make it this year! It's great fun. You can always plan a 'visit' guise dance to friendly houses after Xmas. I'd love to see unorganised groups doing it again (besides me & friends!).
@tom I’m not sure how my neighbours would react…!
@laurhod You’d need to pick neighbours who are up for it, that’s for sure! The places we go invite us and often have children (who love it!) or Xmas parties on and we burst in and provide a bit of merriment, music, and a dose of curiosity. Some of the older folks remember it from their childhood. But most Montol participants don’t realise that what they’re doing has a name or is ancient. I’d like people to know, at least.
@laurhod the late John Dudding features in a couple of those photos. We miss him, since he died shortly after May Horns 2021 (another reviving tradition for you).
#Kernow #Cornwall #Penzance #Montol