Noze looan
Encyclopedia
Noze looan is a style of Cornish-Celtic
dance
, and associated music and events similar to the Breton
Fest Noz
. Noze Looan is late Cornish
for "happy night" .
Noze looan is a relatively recent development in Cornish music and dance and may be a reaction to the more formal approaches of traditional dancing. It was initially spearheaded by the Cornish group Sowena, and traditional dancers. It places greater emphasis on simpler dances, such as snake dance
s and furry dance
s, in order to increase participation and the remove need for a caller. The movement has enjoyed a fair reception amongst the youth of the region, but has been criticised by some traditional dancers. The traditional name for a Cornish ceilidh
is a troyl
.
While noze looan is essentially a dance style, an associated style of music has grown around it which is generally more progressive than many folk bands, possibly to appeal to a younger audience. It also places more emphasis on rhythms and longer songs in order to produce the tribal trance-like state associated with the repetitive dances. Exponents include Dalla
.
The plural of Noze Looan should technically be 'Nozow Looan'. 'Noze looan' is sometimes abbreviated by 'Nzl' online or in event listings. The spelling 'Noze looan' is based on the late Cornish orthography, with the introduction of the standard written form of Cornish, the spelling 'nos lowen' sometimes used.
Cornwall
Cornwall is a unitary authority and ceremonial county of England, within the United Kingdom. It is bordered to the north and west by the Celtic Sea, to the south by the English Channel, and to the east by the county of Devon, over the River Tamar. Cornwall has a population of , and covers an area of...
dance
Dance
Dance is an art form that generally refers to movement of the body, usually rhythmic and to music, used as a form of expression, social interaction or presented in a spiritual or performance setting....
, and associated music and events similar to the Breton
Brittany
Brittany is a cultural and administrative region in the north-west of France. Previously a kingdom and then a duchy, Brittany was united to the Kingdom of France in 1532 as a province. Brittany has also been referred to as Less, Lesser or Little Britain...
Fest Noz
Fest Noz
A Fest Noz is a Breton traditional festival, with dancing in groups and live musicians playing acoustic instruments....
. Noze Looan is late Cornish
Cornish language
Cornish is a Brythonic Celtic language and a recognised minority language of the United Kingdom. Along with Welsh and Breton, it is directly descended from the ancient British language spoken throughout much of Britain before the English language came to dominate...
for "happy night" .
Noze looan is a relatively recent development in Cornish music and dance and may be a reaction to the more formal approaches of traditional dancing. It was initially spearheaded by the Cornish group Sowena, and traditional dancers. It places greater emphasis on simpler dances, such as snake dance
Serpent dance
The Serpent dance is a traditional Cornish dance associated with the Midsummer festival of Golowan and Cornish cultural events such as Noze looan...
s and furry dance
Furry Dance
The Furry Dance, also known as The Flora , takes place in Helston, Cornwall, and is one of the oldest British customs still practised today...
s, in order to increase participation and the remove need for a caller. The movement has enjoyed a fair reception amongst the youth of the region, but has been criticised by some traditional dancers. The traditional name for a Cornish ceilidh
Céilidh
In modern usage, a céilidh or ceilidh is a traditional Gaelic social gathering, which usually involves playing Gaelic folk music and dancing. It originated in Ireland, but is now common throughout the Irish and Scottish diasporas...
is a troyl
Troyl
Troyl is a colloquial Cornish word meaning a barn-dance or céilidh, a social evening of dance, music and song.. - Etymology :Edward Lluyd knew the Cornish verb troillia - to twist, twirl, whirl, spin round. Edward Veale of Pentire, Newquay used the noun troil in the 1880s to describe a Cornish...
.
While noze looan is essentially a dance style, an associated style of music has grown around it which is generally more progressive than many folk bands, possibly to appeal to a younger audience. It also places more emphasis on rhythms and longer songs in order to produce the tribal trance-like state associated with the repetitive dances. Exponents include Dalla
Dalla
Dalla is a dance band in Cornwall known for providing music for Noze looan dances.Members play the clarinet, bouzouki, fiddle, guitar, accordion and percussion. They sing in both Cornish and English....
.
The plural of Noze Looan should technically be 'Nozow Looan'. 'Noze looan' is sometimes abbreviated by 'Nzl' online or in event listings. The spelling 'Noze looan' is based on the late Cornish orthography, with the introduction of the standard written form of Cornish, the spelling 'nos lowen' sometimes used.