Sword dancers thrill Cardiff crowds

A miners’ sword dance tradition has swashbuckled into Cardiff, with the new dance team creating a buzz in the city.

Taff Rapper perform in the Pen and Wig. Their sashes are green and red to represent the colours of the Welsh Flag

Taff Rapper sword dancers perform their routines in packed pubs, wowing punters by tumbling and twisting round short swords made of sprung steel.

The dances were originally created by 19th century miners in the north-east of England who turned their mining tools into swords, and Taff Rapper are planning to wow audiences at the Ruff Ceilidh, Heath Hospital, on 15 January.

Founder, Edwin Dyson, 40, said, “I love performing because it’s a little bit dangerous, particularly with somersaults. 

“Taff Rapper enjoy showing Cardiff’s punters something new – there’s nothing better than seeing the surprised look on people’s faces when we start, before hearing the applause for a dramatic finish.”

Taff walk round alt Cardiff week 6 culture

Five people are needed to perform a dance routine, with each person holding a sword in either hand, so that the dancers are linked together

Click here to see Taff Rapper in action during a workshop held on October 18 in Albany Road Baptist Church.

http://bit.ly/rapperworkshop

The Dance

Sword dancing, or to use its correct name, rapper sword dancing, is a traditional dance form originating from the coalfields of County Durham and Northumberland. It is fast paced, dynamic and frequently acrobatic and is danced to a good jig usually in 6/8 time. It is performed at a speed of between 120 and 160 beats per minute.

History

Mr Dyson said, “Suitable steel for the making of rapper swords wasn’t really in production until at least 1855, so the modern tradition can be dated to then. Previous to that, it is though that the dance originated by miners using tools to dance with, perhaps by filing off the points of long saws.   

“There were lots of pit villages that had teams, combating the stress and danger of work underground with dancing and other community activities like chess clubs, vegetable growing and more. The dance was also performed for monetary reward and in competitions like the North of England Musical Tournament, held annually in Newcastle upon Tyne.  

“By the start of the 20th century it had started to die out but folk dance collector, Cecil Sharp, acquired notations and tunes of morris and rapper sword dances. There was also a revival after the first world war. It declined again after the second world war but students and teachers collected dances from mining families and started another revival.  

“This continued into the early 1970s with another revival and it’s still going strong. There are approximately 35 rapper teams in the UK, with more worldwide, and many more morris sides that also perform rapper sword dances.”

Why not join Taff Rapper and give sword dancing a try?

Mr Dyson said, “You could always come to our practices at the Owain Glyndwr pub, High Street Arcade, on Thursdays from 7.30pm until 9pm. 

“On 21 November we’re performing in Bristol pubs and on 7 December we’re off to take part in Oxford’s Mabel Day of dance.

“We’ll be crawling around Cardiff pubs in January or February too, so keep an eye on the website for more information.”

http://bit.ly/TaffRapper