Oss Oss Wee Oss! (1953)
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Padstow, a fishing village on the coast of Cornwall, celebrates May Day with an ancient custom: two osses (hobby-horses) dance through the town streets accompanied by drums and accordions. All Padstownians participate in the event, which has now become a tourist attraction drawing over tens of thousands of annual visitors. Folklorists Alan Lomax and Peter Kennedy and filmmaker George Pickow collected footage at the festival in 1951, producing a pioneering work in the use of sound, low-light photography, and conversational presentation of narrative. A favorite of Margaret Mead, who used it in her classes, the film circulated widely and continues to have influence today, especially in the neo-Pagan community.
The film is available on DVD through Media Generation (media-generation.net) alongside the following shorts:
Oss Tales (2007) 25 min: Re-engages the Padstow May Day in 2004. The film includes footage from Oss Oss Wee Oss and commentary by Peter Kennedy and Ronald Hutton, and people of Padstow.
Oss Oss Wee Oss Redux: Beltane in Berkeley (2004) 14 min: a portrait of a contemporary pagan group in Berkeley, California, that yearly re-enacts the custom of the hobby horse as part of its May Day revelries.
About the Oss Films (2007) 11 min: George Pickow and Peter Kennedy talk about making the 1953 film and John Bishop and Sabina Magliocco discuss the making this DVD.
Пікірлер: 125
Back every Mayday to watch this. Happy Mayday all!
@harrietharlow9929
Ай бұрын
Happy May Day (Beltane)!
We must never lose these old customs.
I was actually there in 1965 or 1966 and hypnotic is exactly what is was.
This is absolutely hypnotic. Whoever downvoted this should be sacrificed to ancient gods.
@greendiesel6869
4 жыл бұрын
Dr Parnassus OSS OSS ... Good ta see others watchin :-)
Missed this year due to illness but have been going every year for at least 10 years
Fabulous. A Britain long gone.
@MarkLaw-xy9vf
5 ай бұрын
Old Oss still takes place every year
@brendaflower7790
Ай бұрын
Still there,just have to look for it.
This was my first May Day. I was 7 months old but over the years I've made the Journey Back to be in padstow on this day gladdens the heart a little slice of paradise. When you're here summer is a-coming song the world stops for that moment is hustle and bustle and there you are transported back in time once you've heard that music it never leaves your heart and mind. And there's one point in this video where you see proper breakdancing you boy.❤
@Templeborough
5 ай бұрын
Thank you Padstowe for sharing this with us. Possibly from a time before England even existed.
English folk customs are so adorable and mad. I love it. I want to bring that sort of thing back in Canada.
@keithlightminder3005
2 жыл бұрын
Maybe good to remember that there indigenous cultural customs here already, and the English tried to colonize Cornwall out of its ways as they tried here too.
@pseudonamed
2 жыл бұрын
@@keithlightminder3005 Well yes there are indigenous cultural customs here already but if you are not indigenous then you shouldn't practice them without being invited to.. so in that case better to connect with your own ancestral customs
@RicTic66
2 жыл бұрын
@@keithlightminder3005 If you'd been colonised out of your culture you would have no record of it. So what's to remember? You are obviously bitter but I don't think it's got anything to do with the English.
@Wotsitorlabart
2 жыл бұрын
@@RicTic66 It's always something to do with the English. It's a given.
@greendiesel33
Жыл бұрын
CORNISH NOT ENGLISH!!!
Proud to be a Celt and born on May day.
@hiccacarryer3624
4 жыл бұрын
me too !
@TehminaGoskar
4 жыл бұрын
Simpletown Worx Happy Birthday! Penbloodh Lowen!
@drparnassus2867
4 жыл бұрын
Happy Birthday sir!
@greendiesel6869
4 жыл бұрын
HAPPY BORNDAY OSS OSS
@zingzangwallawalla
4 жыл бұрын
Penn-bloodh Lowen rag de!
I love this film. Thanks for uploading this cheeky but important document.
@athulfgeirsson
5 жыл бұрын
Well this came in handy eh?
@calvinmondrago7397
3 жыл бұрын
England lives!
@aldrintoscano
3 жыл бұрын
@@calvinmondrago7397 it's Cornwell
@calvinmondrago7397
3 жыл бұрын
@@aldrintoscano An Italian correcting me about who is English? Jog on, son.
@aldrintoscano
3 жыл бұрын
I'm Indian, actually
Still going strong, I used to live in Padstow as a youngster while my mother was ill, and we attended several times, picking up again in the 1970s and 90's, not been some several years, but always in my thoughts in May. A curio from the past that must be treasured for the future, it means so much to the locals.
@kololikate
4 жыл бұрын
maybe not this year. SO sad.
The Oss lads dancing in the pub on 1st of May eve are like the forebears of punk
@thebaronofbelco2615
21 күн бұрын
I thought the exact same thing!
Beautiful. Visceral. Love it. Nothing staged about this.
what an absolutely beautiful tradition and an outstanding film
Thank you : )
Hail the old ones!
OSS OSS! Sincere thanks for this upload. My Dad was born in Padstow in 1946 and my late Gran who was born in 1916. Dad will be thrilled to watch this and I'm quite sure he will recognise a few people!
I see that modern rave/trance dancing was invented in that pub. Amazing. Love it.
This is sure a great film, telling the story of the Padstow Oss. I absolutely love the tradition and always want to be there. Every year, it makes Spring
I may just like everything posted to this channel. I'm gonna be loosing some long blocks of time over here now.
Born on May 1st 1953 loved living in Cornwall got a free party every birthday LOL
Not seen this before and I really enjoyed it , Im not Cornish but I lived in Padstow for 28 years ,my children were born there and took part in May Day when they were younger .we moved away from Padstow but the drums still call to us ...
so much culture and spirit would be gone to many without Allen and John Lomax. I am always so grateful for all the rare recordings.
A ‘sexy, savage, springtime rite’ - no kidding!
Oh for a land long gone, I am now just a pilgrim in a land I once called my Home
First saw this film in the 1960s in Liverpool, we went forbthevfirst time in 1991, it was worth waiting to go to see it., ,
A good tune that is, a good tune that is.
I have always wondered what sort of dancing took place in ancient pagan celebrations/ceremonies,so it’s fascinating to see the way the two young men dance,which looks more ‘tribal’.I hope folk traditions (as well as carrying on)in England and Cornwall get more ‘gutsy’,as they seem to be getting tamer by the year!
Watched this, by chance, on the 1st of May. Lovely ritual and one I had never heard of before. Thanks for posting.
My god that child has true Padsta blood running though his veins....tis 'ansome!
@LOL-it1pu
5 жыл бұрын
He was a joy to behold!
Truly magical
What a wonderful film and a brilliant archive!
@greendiesel6869
4 жыл бұрын
kololikate KERNOW BYS VYKEN frm Cornwall
Fabulous! Thankyou
Good Ole Mack! OSS OSS!!
How insteresting, by the way, the males´ colored bandanas are really charming! Shared, meur ras/ trugarez mad dit!!
Superb!
"i said do what ya can for me ya killjoy" - too many of them these days
OSS OSS WEE OSS!!!
They knew how to get into it then; some of the videos I've just watched of their Mayday now are tame in comparison. Culture is fascinating sometimes. Also, when I used to drink, that's exactly how I'd dance, heh.
KERNOW BYS VYKEN CORNWALL FOREVER OSS OSS WE OSS ... OUR KERNOW WILL STAY A TREASURE FOREVER. OUR TREASURE. THIS SIDE OF THE TAMAR !! . ENJOY YOUR CELEBRATIONS . 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Kala' Me lowen dhewgh hwi oll... yma hav ow tos hedhyu :3
@greendiesel6869
4 жыл бұрын
zingzangwallawalla OSS OSS ...
@greendiesel6869
4 жыл бұрын
zingzangwallawalla Kernow bys Vyken frm Cornwall
Wheres little Willie now? Does anyone know or can they follow it up? Does Willie still live in Padstow and dance the oss?
I wonder what ever happened to "Willie" he must be in his late 60s or early 70s by now. I hope he is still involved.
@dragonjdgirl
6 жыл бұрын
Willie is still going, his son Jamie has taken over from him though.
The kids in this video will all be in their 70's and 80's now. Tragic to think it won't happen this year. Or will it?
@greendiesel6869
4 жыл бұрын
kololikate Or will it ... OSS OSS
@jabdbx1327
4 жыл бұрын
It definetly did! I heard the music all day i was overjoyed, so i put on my whites and blue scarf and sung my heart out in the back garden and did a bit of mayday dancing too! Honestly I am so hyped that people decided to do a bit of singing!!!
@greendiesel6869
4 жыл бұрын
J aBDbx ♥♥♥ Meur ras Meur ras YOUR A ★ . Thats put the biggest smile on me face it really has I had faith that the spirit of the Obby Oss would prevail .
@kololikate
4 жыл бұрын
@@jabdbx1327 wonderful!
Brilliant. Who were those "influential people" trying to keep the 'oss' from coming out?
@greendiesel6869
4 жыл бұрын
The right honourable Matty Mc Hoon LOOKS LIKE SOMEONE ELSE TOOK THAT HAM
Shame this won’t be able to take place this year.
@greendiesel6869
4 жыл бұрын
D-777 ITS MORE N SHAME ITS A BLEDDY DISGRACE .... ID BE OUT DANCIN N SINGIN IF WAS IN TOWN
@jabdbx1327
4 жыл бұрын
Id definetly did! Well ish! I wa so upset when they cancelled it but some legends played music in their whites and bandannas and I sung my heart out and did may dancing all day on facetime to friends!!
Will not so little Willy be leading the dance this Sunday?
KERNOW BYS VYKEN ONEN HAG OLL OSS OSS .. Told propa aswell .
@greendiesel6869
4 жыл бұрын
Kernow Kid ت中木؛ ه CORNWALL IS A COUNTRY OSS OSS WE OSS N SUMMER IS STILL COMMIN ...THEY BLEDDY AVIN ACLAFF THE OSS SHOULD STILL BE OUT DANCIN N BEING TEASED . OSS OSS
@fedyno4reviews
2 жыл бұрын
Cornwall is a vassal state of Wessex.
@greendiesel33
Жыл бұрын
OSS WE OSS KERNOW BYS VYKEN CORNWALL FOREVER 🏴☠️
That fisherman looks like Jude Law.
Reposted on Cornish Giants
@greendiesel33
Жыл бұрын
Kernow bys vyken Cornwall forever 🏴☠️
imagne this in 1080P HD
Creiddylad, daughter of Lludd Silver Hand, is a lady living at the court of King Arthur at Celliwig in Cerniw. Considered to be the most beautiful girl in the British Isles, she is loved by two of Arthur's warriors: Gwythyr father of Gwenhwyfar and Gwyn Ap Nudd king of Annwn. Her rival suitors are thrust into conflict when Gwythyr abducts her from her father's house, to which Gwyn retaliates by kidnapping her from Gwythyr. Due to Arthur's intervention in the ensuing feud, the lady Creiddylad is returned to her father and an arrangement (a dihenydd, or "fate")is made that forces the adversaries to engage in single combat for the object of their love every May Day - Kalan Me-while she is destined to remain with her father, unmarried-until a final battle on Judgement Day, which will determine who keeps her forever. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gwyn_ap_Nudd en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culhwch_and_Olwen
la référence en Blues c'est Alan Lomax c'est pour vous
If it wasn't for Padstonians, we wouldn't have had the Village People.
@Psmith-ek5hq
2 ай бұрын
Is there a YMCA there?
So, who exactly is Ursula Birdwood? Can anybody tell me?
Does this still happen in cornwall now?
@RicTic66
5 жыл бұрын
Yes yes always has and always will, the origins are lost in the mists of time, but it predates Christianity. Get yourself to Padstow on May morn and experience something rather special : )
@oakashthorn5714
5 жыл бұрын
RicTic66 absolutely I have been looking at lots of this type of thing recently. strange with what's happening politically in Britain & on the continent many people are starting to look towards their own heritage & culture again..technology etc might move forward but you can't take away something that lives in the people.!!..
@RicTic66
5 жыл бұрын
@@oakashthorn5714 England has lots of regional folk rites and lore from the coconut dancers of Bacup Lancashire, Abbots Bromley Horn Dance Staffordshire, Hungerford Hocktide Festival & Tutti Men Berkshire, Helston Floral dance Cornwall, Well dressing Derbyshire plus lots of ancient cross country Shrovetide ball (football) matches too many to mention lol but the most famous is the Royal Shrovetide Football Ashbourne in Derbyshire. The Sedgefield Shrovetide Football Co Durham is probably the most violent, but all in good fun with no malice ; )
@oakashthorn5714
5 жыл бұрын
RicTic66 excellent thank you...I know the well dressing as it's close to me, the others I'll enjoy researching Thanks for the tips
@jabdbx1327
4 жыл бұрын
It blooming well does! Padstow would NOT be Padstow without Mayday! Lowen Mayday
As a Canadian. I'm curious do you pronounce Padstow like "Pad-stow" rhyming with "how" or is more like "Padst-Oh-we" rhyming with "Hoe"
@fionamcmillan7147
3 ай бұрын
Pad Stow or pads toe end with an O sound as in toe. The w is silent. The emphasis is on the a in Pads a as in apple. Th ending is sort of swallowed, and not emphasized.
Did the children carry on the tradition?
@alexgreen1712
7 жыл бұрын
Kurt Davis oh hell ye
@ArchibaldRobinson
7 жыл бұрын
I was there yesterday! got some great pictures
@TehminaGoskar
4 жыл бұрын
Very much so in a big way. Shame about this year.
@greendiesel33
Жыл бұрын
Kernow bys vyken Cornwall forever 🏴☠️
This film was made in 1953 not 1951.
It is a shame that In the USA in the catholic community we no loger practice the tradishenal May day celibrations like these all we have are women's and workers rights protests and marches instead of Trafishenal religious / folk proceshions or you have staunch religious saying peopol saying that customs like these are too "Un Christian" it is just a shame I really do wish we hade celibrations like these revived in the USA again amoung the Christian Communitys.
@alexanderwagner4587
3 жыл бұрын
Exactly where in the Bible does it advocate dressing like a horse and dancing around phallic symbols to welcome Summer/nature's rebirth? The only reason Catholics would celebrate May Day is because Catholicism is essentially 90% Paganism and 10% Judaism, whereas Protestantism simply removed the Paganism from their version of Christianity to make it more Jewish. May Day/Beltane/Walpurgisnacht is 100% PAGAN!
@Wotsitorlabart
11 ай бұрын
@@alexanderwagner4587 You need to read up on the history of the hobby horse and the maypole. And May Day is neither pagan nor Christian it is secular - it has no religious significance. It is simply a time for celebrating the warmth of spring after the cold dark months.
Mohammed won't like this.