I went on a course on teaching folk dance some years ago, and failed to have a discussion about two issues. One was women's morris. I was told, shortly, that women have their own ceremonial dances. I was not given any information about how to get in touch with any groups doing them.

The other was having boys dancing together in folk dances, which was verboten, without explanation. As it is stated in the books of the EFDS on the subject, the reason is obvious. Not to me, with a class overheavy on the male side, doing the sort of dances which down't demand delicate hand holding.

The people concerned couldn't see the paradox.

Then they taught all of us a sword dance of the knot forming variety.

Penny