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| The Egg Dance |
The Egg Dance
History
is a bloody horror. Between war, politics, brutality, plagues,
intrigue, and so much other parts of inhumanity in post-Crusades, the
common people suffered incredibly miserable and hard lives.
Very
few times of pleasure and joy existed. Love, sex, family, and
successful amounts of food to eat were about it. But there had to be
more to life.
Communities
pulled together in whatever hell was going on around them. With this
unity and great imagination, they found other ways to raise their joy in
different ways.
The
English are truly creative in this. I know that all countries are as
well, but the information on the English is readily available. Crazy people, them.
Cooper's Hill Cheese Rolling and Wake: Competitors must race down a steep hill, chasing and trying to catch a round of cheese (preferably a double Gloucester cheese) as it rolls and plummets to the bottom of the hill.
Dwile Flonking: Competitors use a pole to launch beer-soaked cloth at opponents. Missing a target twice results in the flonker must quickly down a pot/pint of ale before the opposing team can pass a soaked cloth to each other.
Ferret Legging: Ferrets are trapped in trousers worn by the participant. The winner is the last one to release his/her ferret.
Wellie Wanging: Competitors must hurl a Wellington boot as far as possible within boundary lines from a running or standing start.
Shin-Kicking or hacking or purring (from the early 17th century): Two contestants attempt to kick each other in the shins, to force their opponent to the ground.
Numerous
YouTube videos are available to elaborate on these games. Although
these community games date back centuries, interest has resurged and
have developed a following along with rules and awards.
So,
the games that were designed by humble village people as a diversion
for their lives have now developed as part of the 21st century. Not
video games or dependence on electronics, but this involves interaction
with real people in real time settings.
History has taken some detours and games have evolved. Good or bad. But people have always known how to party.
This is a post from 2021, I think. I have to respect my hand and the surgery. So, I must post previous literary gems.
well now, i am thinking any one is just plain stupid to try kicking each other. but it doesn't surprise me that our now loves to hurt each other. that said i guess it is about the same as a game of football. don't like that either... i did not know any of this and thank you Lord i did not live back then, or in the 1700, or 1800 ... I love our NOW
ReplyDeleteAnd don't forget bog snorkelling when you are thinking of weird and wonderful? British customs.
ReplyDeleteI have heard of bog snorkeling. People .
DeleteSo, stupid TikTok challenges are nothing new...
ReplyDeleteTikTok challenges are nothing compared to a ferret.
DeleteI'd say people have always invented ways in which to play and have fun, although the ferret business does not sound pleasant!
ReplyDeleteKeep healing, Susan!
Entertainment is important to sanity.
DeleteI've heard of the first one, but animal rights activists would have something to say about the ferret one...
ReplyDeleteThe ferret competition would be great entertainment.
DeleteI think I'd be avoiding the shin kicking and ferret games and probably just be a spectator for the others too.
ReplyDeleteI would be okay with the cheese rolling thing.
DeleteAin't gonna do no Shin-kicking by gravy. Down south it would be shi=-kicking.
ReplyDeleteSherry & jack on the first coast.
By gravy!
DeleteI love a bit of history. I can't say that any of these sound fun but I guess you do with what you have.
ReplyDeleteyup, go with what you got.
DeleteOuch! Kicking shins? I'd give in immediately. You wouldn't want me on your team. The beer slinging game seems to be easier to swallow..ha! I'm sure after a few misses, nobody will even care who wins! I can think of some crazy games we played growing up that we made up along the way. I can only think of one thing a little similar to these games. At our county fair they used to have skillet tossing during ladies day. I don't think they have ladies' day anymore!
ReplyDeleteSkillet tossing?
DeleteWhen life's hard, you take your entertainment wherever you can find it, I guess.
ReplyDeleteThat's what the country folk have always done .
DeleteThat flonking one sounds fun! The ferret, not so much...
ReplyDeleteThat could have some possibilities in certain social circles.
Delete