Morris dancers have celebrated the ancient pagan custom of wassailing by donning black make-up and leading a procession in a bid to prepare orchards for the New Year.
The tradition through the villages of Much Marcle and Dilwyn in Herefordshire involves people pouring cider over tree roots, singing songs, making loud noises and making toasts.
It has been performed with black make-up since the origins of the dancing tradition in the 16th century.
Fire, cider and faces painted black: Morris dancers celebrate ancient pagan custom of wassailing as they prepare orchards for the New Year
By Scott Campbell For Mailonline
7 January 2018
Herefordshire
Morris dancers have celebrated the ancient pagan custom of wassailing by donning black make-up and leading a procession in a bid to prepare orchards for the New Year.
The tradition through the villages of Much Marcle and Dilwyn in Herefordshire involves people pouring cider over tree roots, singing songs, making loud noises and making toasts.
It has been performed with black make-up since the origins of the dancing tradition in the 16th century.
One theory is that it started when impoverished farm workers had to conceal their faces in a bid to avoid being recognised while begging during winter as asking for money was illegal.
It is hoped that the procession will bless trees with a good crop and frighten away any evil spirits who could blight the annual harvest.
The ceremony involves placing a cider-soaked piece of Christmas cake on the branches of an apple tree and sprinkling cider around its roots while dancing and singing the Wassail Song.
Wassail
"Wassail" comes from Anglo-Saxon "Wæs þu hæl", meaning "be thou hale"— "be in good health". The correct response to the greeting is "Drinc hæl."
The bizarre pagan ceremony has been performed with black make-up since its origins in the 16th century
The tradition involves people pouring cider over tree roots, singing songs, making loud noises and making toasts
A major part of the ceremony is carrying lit torches through the streets - before all the participants join together to ward off any evil spirits who may be lurking near the apple orchard threatening cider output
During the wassailing procession, morris dancers don black make-up and lead a procession through the villages of Dilwyn and Much Marcle in Herefordshire
It is hoped that the procession will bless trees with a good crop and frighten away any evil spirits who could blight the annual harvest
One theory on why the ceremony is performed in black make-up is that 16th century farm workers had to conceal their faces in a bid to avoid being recognised while begging during winter as asking for money was illegal
The ceremony involves placing a cider-soaked piece of Christmas cake on the branches of an apple tree and sprinkling cider around its roots while dancing and singing the Wassail Song
While some people choose to turn up in modern clothing, this man has opted for traditional black make-up and a head-dress made of foliage
The cider-loving participants came out in full force and were taking no risks when it came to protecting the apple harvest
Other outfits are more elaborate, with this attendee wearing a suit and bow tie while carrying a canister to help light his flame
The tradition, which has been running for hundreds of years, creates a major spectacle of light every year
Some of the clothing worn by those taking part is extremely elaborate and designed from intricately-patterned fabrics
It is not only cider-drinking adults who take part annually - with some locals bringing along their children for the pagan fun
Each year the parade attracts dozens of revellers who come from across Herefordshire and further afield. Pictured is the event in Dilwyn
The elaborate outfits help the members of the procession to cope with the chilly winter temperatures as they herald in the New Year
Read more: Morris dancers celebrate pagan custom of wassailing | Daily Mail Online
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
The tradition through the villages of Much Marcle and Dilwyn in Herefordshire involves people pouring cider over tree roots, singing songs, making loud noises and making toasts.
It has been performed with black make-up since the origins of the dancing tradition in the 16th century.
Fire, cider and faces painted black: Morris dancers celebrate ancient pagan custom of wassailing as they prepare orchards for the New Year
By Scott Campbell For Mailonline
7 January 2018
Herefordshire
Morris dancers have celebrated the ancient pagan custom of wassailing by donning black make-up and leading a procession in a bid to prepare orchards for the New Year.
The tradition through the villages of Much Marcle and Dilwyn in Herefordshire involves people pouring cider over tree roots, singing songs, making loud noises and making toasts.
It has been performed with black make-up since the origins of the dancing tradition in the 16th century.
One theory is that it started when impoverished farm workers had to conceal their faces in a bid to avoid being recognised while begging during winter as asking for money was illegal.
It is hoped that the procession will bless trees with a good crop and frighten away any evil spirits who could blight the annual harvest.
The ceremony involves placing a cider-soaked piece of Christmas cake on the branches of an apple tree and sprinkling cider around its roots while dancing and singing the Wassail Song.
Wassail
"Wassail" comes from Anglo-Saxon "Wæs þu hæl", meaning "be thou hale"— "be in good health". The correct response to the greeting is "Drinc hæl."
The bizarre pagan ceremony has been performed with black make-up since its origins in the 16th century
The tradition involves people pouring cider over tree roots, singing songs, making loud noises and making toasts
A major part of the ceremony is carrying lit torches through the streets - before all the participants join together to ward off any evil spirits who may be lurking near the apple orchard threatening cider output
During the wassailing procession, morris dancers don black make-up and lead a procession through the villages of Dilwyn and Much Marcle in Herefordshire
It is hoped that the procession will bless trees with a good crop and frighten away any evil spirits who could blight the annual harvest
One theory on why the ceremony is performed in black make-up is that 16th century farm workers had to conceal their faces in a bid to avoid being recognised while begging during winter as asking for money was illegal
The ceremony involves placing a cider-soaked piece of Christmas cake on the branches of an apple tree and sprinkling cider around its roots while dancing and singing the Wassail Song
While some people choose to turn up in modern clothing, this man has opted for traditional black make-up and a head-dress made of foliage
The cider-loving participants came out in full force and were taking no risks when it came to protecting the apple harvest
Other outfits are more elaborate, with this attendee wearing a suit and bow tie while carrying a canister to help light his flame
The tradition, which has been running for hundreds of years, creates a major spectacle of light every year
Some of the clothing worn by those taking part is extremely elaborate and designed from intricately-patterned fabrics
It is not only cider-drinking adults who take part annually - with some locals bringing along their children for the pagan fun
Each year the parade attracts dozens of revellers who come from across Herefordshire and further afield. Pictured is the event in Dilwyn
The elaborate outfits help the members of the procession to cope with the chilly winter temperatures as they herald in the New Year
Read more: Morris dancers celebrate pagan custom of wassailing | Daily Mail Online
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
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