Performance
The Burry Man custom remains mysterious. It is associated with the Ferry Fair which began in 1687, but is widely believed to be older, and the figure, dressed head-to-toe in burdock seeds is sometimes speculated to be a fertility symbol, a scapegoat or perhaps even a sacrificial victim in an ancient pagan religion.
Probably not though…
Exploring the underrepresentation of women in English seasonal customs, through inserting my own female body into traditional practices that currently exclude me.
Performed at York St John, 2023