Somewhere, in a past of harsh winters, out-of-work labourers would dance for their supper by dancing in the street or at big houses, even travelling to other villages and towns to get by. Black faces would disguise the wearer from recognition should the mayhem and begging lead to some local 'misunderstandings' !!
As such "Blackface" was not racially motivated, but purely a disguise. Silhill Morris have always been inclusive and never racist, but in recognition of the possibility of misunderstandings, we no longer fully blacken our faces but do retain some black to continue the disguise. Older photos may show members with fully black faces.
An energetic and (in Silhill's case) colourful spectacle the border tradition involves rousing tunes, sticks, rag jackets, bells and disguised faces. The noise and colour are said to ward off bad spirits, welcome good ones and improve fertility in still mysterious ways that even we do not fully understand.
Following a revival in the 1970s many variations of “border” can now be seen all across the country with sides developing their own styles and dances based loosely on the limited records which remain.
As such "Blackface" was not racially motivated, but purely a disguise. Silhill Morris have always been inclusive and never racist, but in recognition of the possibility of misunderstandings, we no longer fully blacken our faces but do retain some black to continue the disguise. Older photos may show members with fully black faces.
An energetic and (in Silhill's case) colourful spectacle the border tradition involves rousing tunes, sticks, rag jackets, bells and disguised faces. The noise and colour are said to ward off bad spirits, welcome good ones and improve fertility in still mysterious ways that even we do not fully understand.
Following a revival in the 1970s many variations of “border” can now be seen all across the country with sides developing their own styles and dances based loosely on the limited records which remain.