Padstow Blue Oss in the Woods
by Terri Waters
Title
Padstow Blue Oss in the Woods
Artist
Terri Waters
Medium
Photograph
Description
Padstow, a small north Cornish fishing port, has for centuries celebrated Mayday in a unique way, and the custom that has been carried out by Padstonians over centuries has not been allowed to die out. The exact origins of the tradition is unknown, but like other festivals during spring it is thought to be connected with the ancient Celtic festival of Beltane.
Padstow's narrow streets and ancient harbour are extravagantly decorated with flowers, flags and greenery, the focus of which is a tall and colourful May Pole. What follows is a grand procession, usually attended by thousands, in which two groups of dancers, accompanied by drums, triangles and marching accordion players, make their way through the town, one of each team dressed in a stylized recreation of a horse and wearing a striking and faintly terrifying mask. These are the Old Red Ribbon and the younger Blue Ribbon Osses, both of whom have stables from which they emerge in the morning and to which they return at night.
Uploaded
March 21st, 2018
Statistics
Viewed 218 Times - Last Visitor from New York, NY on 04/21/2024 at 5:22 PM
Embed
Share
Sales Sheet