Guise Dancing

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Guise dancing (sometimes known as goose or geese dancing) is a folk practice celebrated between Christmas Day and Twelfth Night (traditionally also Plough Monday, and some parish feasts) in Cornwall, UK. The principal activity associated with the guise dancing was the performance of a 'traditional' Christmas (or other) play with the players were dressed in a disguise to hide their identity allowing them to perform in an outlandish or mischievous manner in the hope of receiving payment of food or money. Guise dancing was observed in the late 19th century by Cornish antiquarian M.A. Courtney who reported that the practice had been largely eliminated by 1890 in Penzance, but continued to be observed in St Ives. It is believed that in 1936, the BBC made a recording of the plays and music associated with Guise dancing however this recording has subsequently been lost. Performances associated with this practice include 'St George and the Turkish Knight'and 'Duffy and Devil.' Each performance allegedly ended with the 'Turkey Rhubarb' dance, the origins of the name of this dance are not known. Some have noted that the practice of 'Darkie Day' in Padstow may have had its origins in guise dancing. Furthermore, there is considerable continuity between guise dancing and the Hal an Tow celebrated in Helston during the Furry Dance. Guise dancing is practiced as part of the St Ives feast celebrations by local group Bagas Porthia.