'Obby 'Oss festival
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Padstow, in Cornwall, UK is internationally famous for its traditional 'Obby 'Oss festival (slang for Hobby Horse festival). Held annually on 1 May, perhaps the Celtic festival of Beltane.
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[edit] Origins
The orgins of the celebrations in Padstow are unknown but are likely to date back to pre-christian times and may be associated practices such as Mari Lwyd in Wales. It is to be noted that the worship of horse dieties such as Epona was common to ancient celtic societies. It has been estimated by some that the custom may be as old as 4000 years the first written recording of these events can be found in the 16th Century.
[edit] Festival practice
The festival itself starts at midnight on May 1st with unaccompanied singing around the Town in particular the Golden lion Inn. In the morning, the town is dressed with greenery, flowers and flags with the centrepoint being the maypole. The climax arrives when dancers cavort through the town dressed as one of two 'Obby 'Osses, the "Old" and the "Blue Ribbon" 'Obby 'Osses, during the day a number of "Junior" osses appear operated by children. As the name suggests the costumes are stylised recreations of horses. Accompanied by drums and accordions and prodded on by acolytes known as "Teasers", each 'Oss is adorned by a gruesome mask and black frame-hung cape under which they try to catch young maidens as they pass through the town. The Blue ribbon oss is of more recent origin being introduced by members of the Temperance movement who were trying to discourage the consumption of alchohol associated with the "old" oss followers. Each oss has a "stable" (in the case of the Old Oss, the Golden Lion Inn and the Blue Ribbon Oss the Harbour Inn) from which they emerge at the start of the days proceedings and retire at the end. During the festival around midday the 'osses meet and conduct a mock battle.
