Aloha,
On 1/24/2006 at 4:26 PM Sabina Magliocco wrote:
>Whatever it is, it's not the "dancing-around-the-maypole-weaving
>ribbons" type of maypole that is part of the Berkeley NROOGD celebration.
1.) Your comment about the *climbing-for-prizes* sort of pole made me
wonder about the pole in the Lomax short. Might the large ring on that pole
have some connection. (Note: I'm just asking. I don't have access to the
entire
film, where there may be some informational shots.)
2.) Somewhere along this thread on the Berkeley event, some recollections
stirred. During my childhood in the SF Bay Area, and elsewhere I'm
guessing,
folk dancing was a common school and day camp activity, Maypole dancing
included. (In my hometown, at least, nobody thought this folk dancing was
anything but general fun, and I was a little surprised when I got to
college
in Michigan to discover that everybody had not picked up some Tagalog
style clapping bamboo dancing as a kid.)
Anyway, although I never thought to ask, I just figured that some of the
Oss/Maypole organizers had previous knowledge of Maypole dancing
from childhood. Or from their general studies of English folk customs. At
least
a few of the NROOGD folks steeped themselves in folk customs.
3.) Although I think that the *Pagan English-ness* of the Oss/Maypole
dancing
has some significance to the ritual organizers and principal actors, during
the
event itself, the dancing works mostly to get most of those attending
actively
involved, regardless of any *historical culture* meaning. It's a Neo-Pagan
seasonal celebration more than a recreation of *the old country.*
Musing Day Camp Folk Dancing Left Its Footprints On Me! Rose,
Pitch
<<My sources are unreliable, but their information is fascinating.>>
--Ashleigh Brilliant: Brilliant Thoughts
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