Rapper
Rapper
Where
Rapper is another type of English sword dance which comes from Durham and Northumberland (see also Longsword).
Context
Rapper dance developed in the 19th century after the invention of sprung steel which meant that the blunt dance swords could be bent and knotted into highly intricate shapes under a lot of physical stress without snapping dangerously. The ‘swords’ used for Rapper dance are now made especially for dancing, however it is likely that in the past a range of suitable items were used from mining tools to steel bed lats (which supported the mattress). Historically Rapper developed in coal mining villages and is considered to be the coal miner’s dance. Originally it was danced in the winter months, when the mines would have been shut for the winter and would have provided extra money for the dancers and their families. The teams were a focus for community pride, some pit owners would even give the dancers days off work so that they could perform.
What
The clothing worn for Rapper in the late 19th century was very similar to the Northwest morris and Clog competition costumes which would have been worn by dancers in the north of England at that time. Teams which could afford to wore fancy black breeches, smart shirts, velvet Zouave style waistcoats, coloured sashes and black shoes. Earlier teams or teams with less money instead attached ribbons and rosettes to their shirts and danced in breeches, perhaps with team socks. In the 1930s many teams wore fashionable/everyday trousers, probably for economic reasons because it was cheaper than having items specially made. They also danced with neck ties which were a part of regular ‘smart’ clothing. Today many teams compete at the annual Dancing England Rapper Tournament (DERT) making sure that their kit looks at its smartest for the competition. Most teams choose a plain white or black shirt, some have team waistcoats which add colour to their costumes. They wear hoggers, trousers or breeches and a sash. Often they have one or two fools which accompany the action (see The Fool).
Hoggers
Many Rapper teams today wear long straight shorts called hoggers which expose the knees of the dancers when the leg is bent. This is the modern form of the hoggers which were worn by miners. The mines were very hot places to work, men brought long shorts or else cut down trousers to create hoggers. These are different from breeches because they do not touch the skin underneath the knee but are loose. Dancers today often wear hoggers because these garments are unique to Rapper dance (unlike breeches which are worn by morris dancers) and because they are a visual link back to the original hard working miners who created this beautiful dance.
Sash
A wide sash wrapped around the waist is considered to be traditional for Rapper costumes. Most Rapper teams wear a sash, many sashes have a long tie at the side, which often has the team emblem on it.
Women: Women started dancing Rapper in the 20th century, today there are many female and mixed gender teams. Women not only have the choice of hoggers or trousers but short skirts (including kilts) are also popular which show the movement of leg.
Key words
Breeches, Emblem, hoggers, kilts, ribbons, rosettes, sash/es, ties, velvet, waistcoat/s, Zouave.
