Maypole Dance
It is funny how some memories stick in your mind from long
ago and others are forever lost. As May arrives, I remember being a
student in the second grade. We were taught to weave the maypole in
a dance that was presented as a school program. We were dressed in
frilly spring dresses, possibly all white, with patented leather shoes and
lace-trimmed knee socks. The boys were also dressed in fancy spring
attire. I don’t remember as many details as I thought I did, but I do
remember performing the Maypole dance and how it made me feel. We
practiced our parts for weeks. The pole was in the middle as we
gathered in a large circle around it. The circle was painted on the
ground with each of our spots designated. The pole was tall and had
a wide base so as not to turn over. Beautiful pastel-colored wide
ribbons draped down from a circular disc at the top of the
pole. When we retrieved our individual ribbons, we formed a teepee
shape. The song was an instrumental folk song as I
recall. After searching I’m going to predict it was the “Maypole
Dance by RCA Victor Folk Dance Orchestra” or something similar. It
was held outside in front of the school in the parking lot, and the song was
blasted over a loudspeaker.
When the dance first started, we went in unison in and out
toward the pole to the beat of the music. Then we turned and went to the left
for a while and then to the right, equally spaced from each other creating a
twirling umbrella effect. At the opportune time, we began to weave
the ribbons by alternating going under and then over the people who were
moving in the opposite direction. Every other person was assigned to travel,
either clockwise or counterclockwise, and in doing so, we caused the ribbons to
braid down the pole. It was so fascinating to be a part of this
celebration as a child. I remember being mindful about not dropping
my ribbon as I raised the ribbon high over my head then lowered it. Again and
again, I went under one ribbon and over the next drawing closer and closer to
the pole. There were probably four Maypoles or more being woven at the same
time that day as all the students in the second grade participated.
That performance made a big impact on me. Nearly 60
years later and I am still joyful when I think about that dance. My current research states that it was a
celebration of spring that originated from ancient pagan fertility
rituals. I suppose the Maypole dance held on May 1st is
still being practiced somewhere around the world. I am just happy
that I had the chance to experience it as a child and have it become a core
memory of mine.
Tammy Harvey
4/9/2026
