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The performance at Market Square, near to Cross Street, began with a traditional mumming folk play centred around the slaying of The Derby TUP – associated with house visiting customs around Christmas time – followed by carol singing then traditional sword dancing.
The team were dressed in military-style uniforms and used swords in a rapid and complicated sequence which culminated in the swords being woven into the ‘lock’ carried aloft by the Captain as he led his team off. Pictures by Peter Wolstenholme.
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1. Smiles all around for the Sword Dancers
The 2019 Handsworth Sword Dancers team Photo: Peter Wolstenholme
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2. Slaying of the Derby Tup
Handsworth Sword Dancers with the Butcher and the Derby Tup - also known as the Old Tup or the Derby Ram Photo: Peter Wolstenholme
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3. The butchered Derby Tup
The Derby Tup story explains how the ram is butchered and made into useful and desirable items for the local people to use Photo: Peter Wolstenholme
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4. Swords Dancers during their performance
The dancers carry long-swords of inflexible steel about one metre in length Photo: Peter Wolstenholme