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Though Morris is famous as an English tradition, that is known to have existed since the 1400s, its heartbeat has a Mediterranean rhythm. The name itself is an echo of the 15th-century Moresca—a dance of the 'Moors' that once flourished across the Iberian Peninsula. Today, as we dance in the plazas of the Vega Baja, we aren't just performing an English folk dance; we are bringing a global tradition of stick, bell, and movement back to its ancient cousin-land .
The English Morris
The English Morris
Our Tradition
While many associate Morris with the soft vales of central England, our repertoire draws from the more robust regional styles. We primarily perform Border Morris, originating from the English-Welsh border—known for its vigorous stick-clashing and ragged kit—and North West Morris, a powerful, processional style from the industrial towns of Lancashire and Cheshire. This "Modern Tradition" approach allows us to keep the ancient energy alive while adapting it for the vibrant plazas of the Costa Blanca.
Image: Costa Blanca Morris in action, 2025
The Spanish Palateo
The Spanish Palateo
The Local Cousin
Found across Spain, from Aragon to Andalusia, Paloteo involves intricate stick-clashing and group formations remarkably similar to Morris.
Image: José Ortiz Echagüe, CC0, Spanish Palateo dancers, c. 1900 via Wikimedia Commons
Around The World
Around The World
Global Cousins
A Universal Language The urge to strike wood and dance in rhythm is a global phenomenon. From the Cossante of Portugal to the Stick Dances of India and the Cibi of Fiji, communities have used these traditions for centuries to celebrate harvests, tell stories, and build bonds.
While the styles vary—some using long staves and others short batons—the core remains the same: a display of precision, strength, and communal joy. By dancing here in Spain, we add our own chapter to this ancient, worldwide story of movement and music.
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Image: Kolattam dancers in Southern India. CC- PDM
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