maypole

What exactly is a maypole?



"The maypole is a tall wooden pole (traditionally of hawthorn or birch), sometimes erected with several long coloured ribbons suspended from the top, festooned with flowers, draped in greenery and strapped with large circular wreaths, depending on local and regional variances. What is often thought of as the "traditional" English/British maypole (a somewhat shorter, plainer version of the Scandinavian pole with ribbons tied at the top and hanging to the ground) is a relatively recent development of the tradition and is probably derived from the picturesque, Italianate dances performed in mid-19th century theatricals. It is usually this shorter, plainer maypole that people (usually school children) perform dances around, weaving the ribbons in and out to create striking patterns."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maypole

"The ceremony of the maypole and maypole dancing, is symbolic of renewed life. In folklore, the common practice was to bring a new pole into the village every year representing that year's incarnation of the spirit of all growing plants - hopefully encouraging a good harvest.

The tradition of dancing around the maypole is widespread through the UK, North America and Europe. Each dancer holds a ribbon and by dancing around the pole and weaving in and out of one another, the dancers gradually wind the ribbons in an intricate pattern down the pole. "

www.rosiespitutorials.com/mayptut.htm

Weaving a maypole:

"Introduction
On May Day eve, folks once went into the woods to collect branches and "go a-Maying." In the morning, they would emerge and the men would bring a live hawthorn tree to the village to make a maypole. Everyone from the highest-ranking official to the lowest peasant participated in the celebration as equals. The holiday evolved and now May Day, which once represented the beginning of summer, life, fertility and renewal, is now celebrated in most countries as International Labor Day.

Instructions
Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You'll Need
Streamers
Audiotapes
Portable Tape Players
Flagpole
Flower Bouquets
Wooden Poles
Poles

Steps

Step One
Choose a pole that has plenty of room around its base. The taller, the better.

Step Two
Fasten an even number of streamers to the top of the pole. They should be about 1 1/2 times the height of the pole.

Step Three
Use different-colored streamers. Alternate two different colors or use many.

Step Four
Give each person decorating the maypole the end of a streamer. They may also want to hold a bouquet of flowers.

Step Five
Have every other participant face clockwise, the rest face counterclockwise.

Step Six
Play the selected music and let the dance begin.

Step Seven
Alternate between passing the person coming toward you on the left and on the right.

Step Eight
When the pole is wrapped, lay the bouquets on the ends of the streamers to hold them in place.

Tips & Warnings
Make sure everyone understands the instructions well in advance.
Nylon streamers are great - crepe paper tends to tear too easily for a very tall maypole. "

http://www.ehow.com/how_17056_decorate-maypole.html



Random stuff about maypoles & may day:
http://www.earthwitchery.com/maypole.html