Dawns Glan Mai
Back Next

Of the Nantgarw dances proper, the first was 'Dawns Blodau'; also known locally as 'Dawns Glan Mai'. This is a floral dance to the traditional summer carol 'Nos Galan'. It has indications of having been danced round a Maypole or 'Fedwen Haf'. In her first description of this Mrs.Thomas wrote :-

"Eight people danced this. It was necessary for the women to wear a wreath of flowers around the neck and a posy of flowers with long stems to throw round the boys' necks, Sometimes handkerchiefs were used instead.

bullet1. Standing in a bunch together, holding hands upwards. When the harp starts everyone turns in a circle, three times, walking in a large circle.
bullet2. Turn to the right, and plaiting with slip steps, then a circle to the left, and eight paces.
bullet3. Facing each other in two rows, running three steps, curtsying and making a movement with both hands as if lifting wreaths of flowers. Three paces back as rising from the curtsy, throwing flowers to the boys. This was done twice. The third time they went to the centre and instead of the curtsy they lifted their partner's hands, holding them high. The two first running forward three paces, the last pair doing the same; the four in the centre taking three paces backwards and three forwards.
bullet4. Turn, put hands on shoulders and move in a circle to the right and then to the left. Two rows again, facing each other, holding one hand this time, boy and girl, boy holding the girls' waist (or wrist).
bullet5. A circle again, this time holding right hands above their heads, the hand over the shoulder, slip steps.
bullet6. Everyone standing in a circle, making a curtsy; at the same time bringing the hands down to meet the hands opposite, then rising to their feet and bending knees to pick flowers, about eight times; wild and uneasy; then standing in two rows.
bullet7. In a circle holding hands and moving in a circle, in the same direction, faster and faster. Then standing in two rows; the harp comes to a stop and the dancers stop and curtsy to each other."

Since that time, Mrs. Thomas has amplified and corrected much of this. It appears that in 4 and 5 the dancers polka round with a ballroom hold. Also in the linked circles "It is necessary to go like the sun".