The Coconutters plan to continue using full-face black makeup
The Britannia Coconut Dancers and The Morris Ring will split up at the end of the year over a dispute about the coconutters' use of full-face black makeup.
In a statement issued this week by the Bacup Coconutters, they said that they are “unable to find a compromise that would be suitable for both the Britannia Coconutters and the Morris Ring”.
They said this follows “several press statements" over the last few weeks from the Morris Ring concerning the use of full black/skin tone face makeup.
A meeting was held on July 20 by executive members of the Britannia Coconut Dancers to discuss the new rules outlined by the Joint Morris Organisation (JMO), which no longer permits blackface.
The Coconutters said: “We were saddened to receive this statement as it perceives that we and other teams who these bodies represent have a tradition that is not fit for the modern day.
“The Britannia Coconutters have evolved within our community upholding a folk dance and music which is honest and unique.
“Our age old tradition is embedded in the hearts and souls of the people of Bacup, Rossendale and overseas.
The Coconut have “unanimously” decided to continue the use of blackface as part of their “unique mining tradition” saying it is connected with “ethnicity nor any form of racial prejudice.”
They said: “As a team we have discussed the use of black face makeup in great detail and have come to a unanimous decision that this will continue to be part of our unique mining tradition, removing any part of our costume will take away the mystique of who we are.
“The dances were devised by local miners.
“Since they all had permanently black faces on working days, from the outset it became an essential part of the tradition that they also performed with black faces.
“This tradition has now been maintained continuously for more than a century. It has no connection with ethnicity nor any form of racial prejudice.”
They added that they hope the JMO “understand and respect the decision.”
They added: “We as a team have concluded that our membership of the Morris Ring will cease at the end of this year and trust that the JMO will understand and respect our decision to continue with the integrity and respect as we have for many centuries.
“We would like to wish all members of the JMO the very best for the future and hope to one day work with The JMO.”
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