FOLKLORE : Britain
Endless inspiration and a real sense of wonder...
"Britain provides a bounty of interesting folklore, festivals & customs. From ancient rituals to mass participation games and peculiar traditions, this country provides endless inspiration for documentary storytelling. I've met some amazing characters and unearthed powerful recurring themes relating to tribe, identity, and our relationships with nature."
- Dave Brewis
An island like no other...
Where pride meets place...
Many folklore events such as Rushbearing in Sowerby Bridge (pictured) were revived in the 1970s and are today thriving. Rooted in the annual practice of delivering fresh rushes to cover the floors of churches at harvest time, the event provides both a fascinating spectacle and a deep connection to the past.
Where tradition meets community...
Certain customs such as The Burry Man of South Queensferry (pictured) can be considered unique. This centuries-old ritual features a local man encased in burrs parading through the town and consuming large volumes of whisky, gifted to him by local people, in exchange for bringing them good luck.
Where nature meets dance...
Morris dancing is a form of English folk dance with earliest written references dating from the 15th Century. The Morris ring was formed in 1934 and in the 1950/60s there was an explosion of new dance teams, representing different traditions.
Where the seasons are marked...
Traditional customs fall across the calendar and mark the seasons. The Allendale Tar Bar’l in Northumberland (pictured) is a fire festival held annually on New Year's Eve. Forty-five local men known as guisers carry whiskey barrels filled with burning hot tar in a procession through the town.
Where games are still played...
Britain enjoys some of the most interesting traditional games, many which appear raucous and violent in nature, but are often subtle and unique. The Haxey Hood (pictured) is an ancient game played in Haxey and Westwoodside in North Lincolnshire. The game, surrounded by storytelling and myth, features a large scrum (the 'sway') which guides a leather hood to one of four pubs to be 'goaled'.
Where customs refuse to die...
The town of Ottery St Mary in Devon is the stage for Flaming Tar Barrels (pictured) - an annual tradition carried out around 5 November (Guy Fawkes night). The custom dates from the 17th century. Barrels weighing up to 30kg are soaked in tar, set alight and carried aloft through the town by residents.