Do a Maypole Dance

Traditionally, the Maypole Dance is a dance performed in celebration of May Day, the first day of May. This article is an overview of how to perform this dance.

Steps

1. Put the Maypole together. Unless you have access to a Maypole that has already been made for the purpose, you will need to make your own. Find a tall pole and attach ribbons or strong streamers at the top of the pole. These ribbons will need to be an even number, the same number of ribbons as there are dancers.
2. Divide the dancers into two groups. For example, you might have them count off one, two, one, two, one, two around the circle, or A, B, A, B, etc. The A's can go clockwise and the B's go counterclockwise. The dancers go alternately right and left of the dancers going in the opposite direction.
3. Develop a pattern. The pattern the dancers should keep in mind is over, under, over, under, over, under etc.
   • On the count of "over", the dancer raises his ribbon slightly so the dancer coming in the opposite direction can duck under his ribbon.
   • On the count of "under" the dancer ducks under the ribbon of the dancer coming in the opposite direction.

Tips

• The dance can be done walking, but skipping is preferable.
• Plastic or cloth ribbons, or streamers may be used, according to availability and personal preference. Crepe paper streamers could be used but are more fragile and must be handled carefully and cannot be used very many times.
• The height of the pole can be left to your own judgment. The height depends to a certain extent on the height of the dancers and the number of dancers.
• The dance can be done with or without music. The music used depends largely on personal preference but the most traditional music that could be used would be in 6/8 time. Jigs or reels are good.
• It is traditional to decorate the top of the Maypole. Use wreaths and decorative ribbons as wished.

Things You'll Need

• Ribbons or strong streamers
• Pole
• Pin or nail for attaching ribbons
• Dancers

Related Articles

• Ballet Dance
• Break in Hardshoes for Irish Step Dancing
• Do a Shuffle in Tap Dancing
• Dance an Irish Jig
• Irish Dance

See also

• Dance Traditional Cumbia Colombiana
• Swing Dance
• Become a Southern Belle
• Two Step
• Dress for Swing Dancing
• Dance Hula
• Dabke
• Do the Country Two Step

What links here

• Celebrate May Day
• Celebrate the Summer Solstice
• Swing Dance