Morris Lets Norway off Hook

As a Norwegian, I’m more than used to certain nationalities using “Norway” as “the weirdest, most bizarre thing you can think of”, in books, articles and speech. Whenever I say where I’m from, out comes “pining for the fjords,” “nil points” (nobody talks about Norway’s many stunning victories in that greatest cultural event of the year, the European Song Contest) and of course “heurdi beurdi beurdi” – the Muppet Show chef, who is of course Swedish. But hey, those Scandis are so lump-togetherable.

But there’s one cultural phenomenon more frequently brought up as the funniest and weirdest thing ever than “Norway”, and that is MORRIS DANCING.

I had never witnessed this thing, so naturally jumped on the chance yesterday when I was invited to a May Day Extravaganza at the Kowloon Cricket Club.

It was riveting. Vigorous. And with a strong martial element (bashing sticks together) it was much more muscular than I think most people know.

Unfortunately I don’t have time to join the Morris Society right now, but I think they accept new members.

挪威 Lo/La Wai (Norway)
木球 Muk kau (Wood Ball/Cricket)
九龍木球會 – Gau long muk kau wui (Kowloon Cricket Club)