Ragged Band Border Morris formed in 2005. We are a group of mixed (men and women) Morris dancers and musicians based in Brisbane. We aim to bring ancient traditions, magic and mystery to life in our enthusiastic presentation of dance spectacle.
This dance form originates in the United Kingdom and has evolved over many centuries into different regional traditions of styles. The origin of the name Morris is uncertain but might have come from the dancers blacking/painting their faces as a form of theatrical disguise, the only black people known to the population of the times were Moors, hence Moorish dancing – Morris dancing. Morris Dancing was clearly regarded as a very ancient custom in Shakespeare’s time – he mentions it in several plays – and although the first written reference is 15th Century, it seems likely to have roots in Anglo-Saxon or Celtic times.