The Cornish tradition of Guise dancing at Nadelik (Christmas) has been described in detail by local historians and antiquarians. At this first Montol festival we are encouraging all members of the public to dress in the same way as the guisers of old
The types of Costume
Mock formal
Firstly there is the tradition of Mock formal which is not unlike the style of the MC at Padstown Obby Oss and the costume the MC wears at the Golowan festival leading the Golowan band. The costume should include a black jacket, white shirt and bow tie or scarf. Those wearing this costume would also wear an eye mask to disguise their features. Sometimes a black kilt can be worn.
The St Ives Guisers wearing "Mock Formal"
Topsy Turvey
Secondly there is the tradition of cross dressing, This is not "drag" but wearing the opposite sexs clothes in such a way as to confuse and disorientate. Women can wear means suits and men can wear skirts all should be wearing a eye mask to disguise their features. Monks should wear bishops uniforms, Kings should wear peasants clothes and so forth.
Ancient Topsy Turvy Examples
Tatters
Thirdly is the tradition of tatters. Tatters is formal jackets, wastecoats etc that are sewn with coloured ribbons to look like rags. Again the wearers of this costumes would wear a mask. The louder and bigger the quantity of ribbons the better.
Animal disguise.
Fourthly there is a tradition in Penzance of hiding under cattle skins with horns. This maybe in memory of the old Cornish Christmas tales of cattle kneeling in prayer on Christmas eve or it may be a reference to an entirely different practice that is lost in the mists of time.
Venetian Carnival Style.
Lastly, people would also take influence from the Venetian carnival style wearing long robes and venetian style masks. This was a cross european fashion that meant that in some places people spent up to 30% of the year disguised.
Streaks
Sometimes a streak of black soot or white chalk was added to the face. This had no racial meaning and was again intended to hide the participants features.
Please note that this is not fancy dress and is intended as diguise dressing in horror masks or as celebrities would not have been done in ancient times.