I couldn't make this stuff up if I tried. From ExpressandStar: Hundreds join ancient dance date.
It is one of Britain's oldest rituals. And yesterday it seemed as popular as ever as hundreds of enthusiastic visitors turned out for the Abbots Bromley Horn Dance.
It involves a merry band of men carrying ancient reindeer antlers for around 12 hours, usually walking twice the distance.
The ritual definitely dates back to 1226 - the dance was performed at the three-day Barthelmy Fair in that year - but many believe it is much older than that, and it has survived and continues to flourish in the Staffordshire village.
The massive horns have been carbon dated back to 1,000 years ago, and are carried aloft by the dancers every Wakes Monday.
Six costumed men dance the horns around the village and its surrounding smallholdings - and before Lady Bagot at Blithfield Hall - stopping traffic in their wake and performing the dance scores of times.
Meanwhile, the jester bashes unsuspecting onlookers with his pig's bladder, which is supposed to bring fertility, and two accordion players keep the music going with delightful ease. [full article]
Here's more from the BBC, and still more from AbottsBromley.com. Photos and everything!
Posted on September 9, 2003 07:38 AM. Filed under: history & archaeology.