Manx Dance Lesson: The White Boys Dance
Channel: Culture Vannin
Date: 10/12/2021

A short video instruction of how to dance the traditional Manx dance, The White Boys Dance.
This sword dance for six people is performed at the conclusion of the traditional Manx mummers play performed around Christmastime, the White Boys. This folk play named by the strange costumes and concerning saints fighting, killing each other and being resurrected by a Doctor has been performed for over 200 years in the Isle of Man.
The dance at its conclusion is not only performed with the play, but at many displays of Manx dancing also.

A written form of these dance instructions can be found in 'Rinkaghyn Vannin' produced by Sleih gyn Thie, generously made available amongst the download resources here: https://culturevannin.im/manxfolklore/the-white-boys-505782/

More information about the White Boys play and tradition is here: https://culturevannin.im/manxfolklore/the-white-boys-505782/

More information about the music and dance of the Isle of Man is available here: www.manxmusic.com/

More Manx dance lesson films in this series are available here: https://culturevannin.im/watchlisten/videos/manx-dance-lessons-579863/

This instructional film is presented by Gráinne Joughin and the dancers of Skeddan Jiarg.
Skeddan Jiarg is a traditional Manx dance group based in Peel. Other groups are based elsewhere on the Isle of Man, including Ny Fennee, Perree Band and the Manx Folk Dance Society.
More information about all of these Manx dance groups is available here:
manxmusic.com/group_index_74464.html

This film was produced by Culture Vannin.
Culture Vannin exists to promote, support and celebrate the culture of the Isle of Man.
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