The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

BLEZDINGELE (HOUSE MARTIN)

THIS IS A DANCE DANCED WITH A WHITE HANDKERCHIEF, BY 12
GIRLS. IT SYMBOLIZES THE ARRIVAL OF WINTER, WHEN THE
BIRDS ARE FLYING SOUTH. THE GIRLS REPRESENT THE BIRDS
OR THE SPRING, FOR THEY WAVE THEIR HANDKERCHIEFS IN A
FAREWELL FASHION. THE MUSIC IS SLOW BUT BEAUTIFUL, THE
STEPS ARE SMALL, SLOW AND GRACEFUL.

Submitter comment: THIS DANCE IS DANCED ONLY AT THE BEGINNING OF WINTER OR
DURING THE EARLY MONTHS OF WINTER.

James Callow comment: DANCED ONLY AT THE BEGINNING OF WINTER?

Where learned: NOT GIVEN