THE UTRECHT MORRIS TEAM

What is Morris?

The Utrecht Morris Team (UMT) is one of the thousands of groups throughout the world who perform Morris dances.

Morris is one of the oldest types of dance known, with variations traced through various regions of Europe. The earliest reports date from the middle ages, but these indicate that the Morris must be much older. Despite its advanced age, the Morris is an extremely energetic and spectacular type of dance. The Morris is danced with handkerchiefs, sticks and bells, but there are, for instance, also dance styles that make use of wooden swords and flexible metal 'rappers'.

Within the Morris, there are various identifiable regional variations. Distinctions are made between Cotswold Morris, (Welsh) Border Morris, (East Anglian) Molly Dances, North West Clog Morris, Longsword and Rapper. The commonest form of Morris dancing comes from the Cotswolds, mainly from Oxfordshire. The UMT dances Cotswold Morris, but has recently started to practice Rapper dancing that originated in Northeast England.

Each Morris side has its own style. Apart from the costume, which varies for each side, this is also apparent from the interpretation of how each dance is performed. The majority of (Cotswold) Morris dances are for six dancers, although exceptions do exist. The dancers assemble in two rows or columns and dance in various patterns, using handkerchiefs or sticks. Tremendous movements, high jumps and capers, graceful gestures and lots of jingling of bells attract people's attention to the Morris dancers.

In addition to the dancers there are naturally the musicians, because it is difficult to dance without (live!) music, of course. Commonly used instruments are the melodeon (a diatonic button accordion) or piano accordion, concertina, violin, flute or penny whistle, but you will occasionally see other instruments too, such as the traditional pipe and tabor (a three-hole whistle and small drum hung from the wrist and played with the free hand).

Nowadays the Morris is predominantly an English folk dance, which flourishes and is enjoyed mainly in England and former English colonies, such as Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong and North-East America. On mainland Europe there is only a handful of Morris sides.

Actually the Morris is originally not uniquely English. The exact origin of the dancing and all its traditions are difficult to trace. For example, there is talk of "Moorish" or "Moresc dance". The name "Morris" probably comes from the French "Morisque" or "Morisco", which means 'dance'. The question of whether the Morris dance is then French, Spanish, Moorish (or from Morocco), English, or even has other roots, however, remains unanswered by this. It is certainly clear that in the past the Morris was not exclusively English! The oldest references date from around 600 years ago, and there are even illustrations of it found in the margin of a so-called "History Bible" in Utrecht from 1443!

In England, the Morris has continued to survive and has therefore become "typically English". At the end of the 19th century the Morris appeared finally to be threatened with complete extinction in England. But, on Boxing Day 1899, Cecil Sharp was visiting family in Headington, near Oxford in de Cotswolds, when he chanced to see the Morris dancers from Headington dancing. For the music teacher from London this was the start of an extensive collection of tunes and dance descriptions. Through his work, among others, numerous dances and tunes were written down and preserved. At the beginning of the twentieth century there followed a revival of folk dancing and songs, as a result of which the Morris also blossomed again.

There are also numerous stories told about the meaning of the Morris. One explanation that especially appeals to the imagination is that Morris dancing is derived from ancient heathen rituals and the changing of the seasons. Seeking favour from heathen gods to receive a fruitful year and driving away evil spirits are therefore part of this myth. Even today in England, a Morris dance may sometimes be performed during a church service! But the Morris as a special social group, popular entertainment and source of income are also mentioned. The Morris nowadays is mainly a special leisure activity that internationally is a source of old and new friendships!

Down the ages, for centuries, the Morris has clearly changed and the tradition is still evolving. These days there are also new dances, tunes and styles being developed. Each Morris side has its own performance, costume and customs. The Utrecht Morris Team is part of this "living tradition"!

The website of The Morris Ring contains on this and this page more information about the Morris.

Contact us if you would like to know more about the Morris!

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