There are so many things I can tell you about Bacup. Firstly there is the Wiki dull and official version telling us Bacup is a Lancashire town of just on 13,000 people that emerged as a settlement following the Anglo-Saxon inhabitation in the Early Middle Ages. For centuries it was part of the woollen cloth production that dominated northern England and many of the original weavers' cottages survive today as listed buildings.
Or there is the Bacup that is the family home of my nephew's English family.
But best of all there is the Bacup that is host to the annual Britannia Coconut Dancers. Now I am just going to let you digest that for a bit. Northern England - coconuts - what is the connection?
The Britannia Coconut Dancers, also known as the Nutters, are a troupe of clog dancers who perform on Easter Sunday dancing the 11 kilometres across the town. Local legend tells us the custom was brought to the area by Barbary pirates who settled in Cornwall in the 17th century, became miners and then moved to work in quarries in Lancashire.
The dancers frock up Morris-dancer style in distinctive outfits sporting white turbans with blue plumes, red and white skirts, white hose and black clogs. As if this was not enough, taped to their knees, waists and wrists are wooden nuts made from the tops of bobbins which the dancers use as castanets. But best of all - and please do not judge me here, I am only recounting the story for you so do not shoot the messenger - they black-up. Deep breath, that is what I said: their faces are blackened.
As you can imagine this is a cause for comment and debate each year. The issue
caused controversy in 2014, when local politician Will Straw was photographed
with them. He defended the custom, "...it’s traditions from the past which
give communities a sense of common identity for the present and the future. May
the Coconutters continue for many years to come."
| The Britannia Coconut Dancers |
Even the sheep in Bacup go blackface
Perhaps Border will take up this tradition soon. meanwhile here's the news:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.canberratimes.com.au/national/public-service/militarized-not-us-say-department-of-immigration-and-border-protection-bosses-20160512-gou51z.html
By the way, that looks like a Lonk sheep. The black face (with bits of white) is their natural state. Genetics...I'll explain it to you one day :)
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