punkfolkrocker, there's nothing childish about traditional costume and face-paint for dancing.

Women as well as men dance in border Morris sides, and paint their faces too.

No-one in a border Morris side would be seen dead waving a hanky. That's Cotswold Morris.

I know quite a bit about W African traditions, and painting the face is practised there in almost every culture.
Ivorian spirit dancers paint their faces white to look gruesome and strange, which adds to the sinister aspect of their dancing. Nothing about them could be described as cute or childish, it can be quite frightening and intimidating, (as it's intended to be).

I don't much like your tone to be honest. A bit sneery and demeaning to men... don't you like watching Morris dancing? (or men??)