Morris dance

Morris dancing is a form of English folk dance. It is based on rhythmic stepping and the execution of choreographed figures by a group of dancers in costume, usually wearing bell pads on their shins and/or shoes. A band or single musician, also costumed, will accompany them. Sticks, swords, handkerchiefs, and a variety of other implements may be wielded by the dancers.

Morris dancing first appeared in England in the 15th century. Its earliest surviving mention dates to 1448 and records the payment of seven shillings to Morris dancers by the Goldsmiths' Company in London.^[1] The term "Morris" comes from a Flemish form of "Moorish", although Morris dancing has no known historical connection to the Moors.

Three prominent groups organise and support Morris in England: Morris Ring,^[2] Morris Federation^[3] and Open Morris;^[4] all three organisations have members from other countries as well.

There are around 150 Morris sides (or teams) in the United States.^[5] English expatriates form a large part of the Morris tradition in Australia, Canada, New Zealand^[6] and Hong Kong. There are relatively isolated groups in other countries, for example those in Utrecht and Helmond,^[7] Netherlands; the Arctic Morris Group of Helsinki, Finland^[8] and Stockholm, Sweden; as well as in Cyprus^[9] and St Petersburg, Russia.^[10]