Maypole Dancing is a vibrant and joyful folk tradition, deeply rooted in community celebrations and springtime festivities. This guide will introduce you to the basics of maypole dancing, exploring its steps and some popular dance figures. Whether you’re a complete beginner or looking to expand your maypole repertoire, understanding the fundamental movements and dances will unlock the fun and beauty of this captivating activity.
Understanding the Basics of Maypole Dance
Maypole dancing is characterized by dancers circling a tall pole adorned with colorful ribbons. Each dancer holds a ribbon, and through a series of choreographed steps and movements, they weave intricate patterns around the pole. Traditionally performed in spring, maypole dancing is associated with the celebration of nature’s renewal and community spirit.
Performance and Introductory Steps
Often performed for an audience, maypole dances can incorporate elements of display and visual appeal. A common starting point is for dancers to gather in a circle around the maypole. As music begins, they move forward to take hold of their ribbon, ready to start weaving.
For music with a jig or reel rhythm, a light walking step or skip is typically used, adding a buoyant quality to the dance. If the music follows a hornpipe rhythm, a step-hop pattern, alternating feet, provides a more pronounced and rhythmic movement. For waltz music, dancers can use three even paces for each bar of music, creating a smooth and flowing motion around the maypole.
A simple introductory dance involves the circle formation. In time with the music, dancers take four steps towards the maypole, and then four steps back, repeating this sequence for a count of eight to complete the circle movement. As they move towards the pole, dancers can raise their arms gracefully, lowering them as they step back, adding a visual dynamic to this basic step.
First Plaiting Dance: Creating a Closed Plait
Moving beyond basic steps, the first plaiting dance introduces the core technique of ribbon weaving. Most maypoles feature a static crown at the top, meaning the ribbons plait directly onto the pole as dancers move in a circle. This type of weave is known as a closed plait, where the ribbons wrap inwards towards the maypole. In contrast, open plaits, such as in the “Gypsies’ Tent” dance, involve ribbons weaving outwards, away from the pole.
To begin a plaiting dance, ensure all dancers are facing the same direction around the maypole, holding their ribbon in their right hand. The left hand can be used to manage any excess ribbon length. Start the music and have everyone dance in a circle in the same direction, being careful not to overtake each other. As dancers circle, the ribbons will wrap around the maypole. Continue until the ribbons are fully wound and there is no slack left. At this point, a signal is given to reverse direction. By retracing their steps and unwinding in the opposite direction, dancers can successfully unravel the plait. A successful first plaiting dance is achieved when the ribbons are unwound without any knots or tangles.
The Grand Chain: Weaving with Partners
The “Grand Chain” dance introduces партнерство and more complex weaving patterns. To perform this dance, divide the dancers into two equal groups, Team A and Team B. Pair each member of Team A with a member of Team B. Arrange the pairs alternately around the maypole, with each Team A dancer facing their Team B partner.
As the music starts, each Team A dancer passes right shoulder with their first Team B partner, then left shoulder with the next Team B dancer encountered in the circle. Dancers continue alternating shoulders, moving around the circle without turning back on themselves. This sequence continues until all ribbon length is used and the maypole is fully plaited. As dancers pass each other, they should rhythmically raise and lower their right arm to guide their ribbon smoothly over the other dancer, ensuring a neat and even plait.
To unwind the Grand Chain, dancers must carefully retrace their steps. They begin by passing their last partner first, and then continue alternating shoulders in reverse order until all ribbons are unwound. Maintaining a consistent pace and avoiding overtaking is crucial for a successful and visually appealing Grand Chain. Variations can be introduced by having pairs or groups of dancers, arm-in-arm, weave together in each direction, adding complexity to the pattern.
After each dance, take a moment to appreciate the beautiful and unique pattern created on the maypole by the woven ribbons.
The Gypsies’ Tent: Creating an Open Plait
“The Gypsies’ Tent” dance offers a different weaving technique, creating an open plait that expands outwards from the top of the maypole, forming a web or tent-like structure. In this dance, each Team A dancer stands beside their Team B partner. When the music begins, Team B dancers remain stationary. Their Team A partners initiate the movement, dancing around their own Team B partner, then weaving to the right around the next Team B dancer in the circle. They then return to weave around their original partner again, and proceed to the Team B dancer to the left, finally returning to their own partner to complete the sequence for one round. To unwind the Gypsies’ Tent, dancers simply reverse these movements, carefully retracing their weaving path.
Numerous variations of the Gypsies’ Tent exist. In some versions, teams take turns moving, or one team might pass two members of the opposing team before weaving around them. Experimentation is encouraged, keeping in mind the primary goal: to be able to unwind the ribbons cleanly and without knots after the ribbons are fully wound during the dance.
