What is Carnival Morris?
Carnival Morris (also called Fluffy Morris) bears little resemblance to what most people think of when they hear the expression Morris dancing. Like Entertaining, it is a form of troupe dancing, ie again traditionally associated with Carnival. Also like Entertaining, nowadays it is mostly done in competition. It is found in many parts of the north west of England and north Wales. I believe it began in the 1920s in Cheshire. The style is very different to that of Entertaining. The hallmark of the dancing is the use of cheerleader-style shakers (hence the Fluffy). The dancing is hard to describe. When done well (which it usually is), it looks tremendous. Why photograph Morris Dancers? I encountered Carnival Morris when photographing Entertaining troupes. I have come to regard it as nothing short of a national treasure. The main point, however, is exactly as with Entertaining – it is an activity involving children which I regard as worth supporting.
