Museum of British Folklore
We dance the Sword Dances, spin ribbons round Maypoles, hail seasonal kings and queens and run from the 'Obby Oss. The ancient cultural traditions of these islands are esoteric, mysterious, strange mixes of the pagan and Christian, dances of life and death. Alive and well in some parts, in other places forgotten and forlorn, these traditions are still a deeply embedded and familiar part of who we are, and what we use to make ourselves and our mythologies.
Whilst local history museums contain many artefacts of folkloric interest, whilst there are projects such as 'The Other Within' at the Pitt Rivers which emphasize folkloric items, it has for a long time struck me as odd that an institution dedicated to native British traditions appears to be missing. But perhaps this might change soon. Recently, I stumbled upon a website called The Museum of British Folklore, which seeks to drum up support for such a centre. Go to the site, visit, learn, and perhaps support the cause. I for one would love to see such an institution arise. The cultures that I understand as deep parts of myself, parts of me that came from Derbyshire and dressed wells, that Wassailed apple trees and knew the stories of the Green Man, deserve a place to be honored and remembered.
Whilst local history museums contain many artefacts of folkloric interest, whilst there are projects such as 'The Other Within' at the Pitt Rivers which emphasize folkloric items, it has for a long time struck me as odd that an institution dedicated to native British traditions appears to be missing. But perhaps this might change soon. Recently, I stumbled upon a website called The Museum of British Folklore, which seeks to drum up support for such a centre. Go to the site, visit, learn, and perhaps support the cause. I for one would love to see such an institution arise. The cultures that I understand as deep parts of myself, parts of me that came from Derbyshire and dressed wells, that Wassailed apple trees and knew the stories of the Green Man, deserve a place to be honored and remembered.
Comments