Oss Oss Wee Oss! (1953)

Padstow, a fishing village on the coast of Cornwall, celebrates May Day with an ancient custom: two osses (hobby-horses) dance through the town streets accompanied by drums and accordions. All Padstownians participate in the event, which has now become a tourist attraction drawing over tens of thousands of annual visitors. Folklorists Alan Lomax and Peter Kennedy and filmmaker George Pickow collected footage at the festival in 1951, producing a pioneering work in the use of sound, low-light photography, and conversational presentation of narrative. A favorite of Margaret Mead, who used it in her classes, the film circulated widely and continues to have influence today, especially in the neo-Pagan community.
The film is available on DVD through Media Generation (media-generation.net) alongside the following shorts:
Oss Tales (2007) 25 min: Re-engages the Padstow May Day in 2004. The film includes footage from Oss Oss Wee Oss and commentary by Peter Kennedy and Ronald Hutton, and people of Padstow.
Oss Oss Wee Oss Redux: Beltane in Berkeley (2004) 14 min: a portrait of a contemporary pagan group in Berkeley, California, that yearly re-enacts the custom of the hobby horse as part of its May Day revelries.
About the Oss Films (2007) 11 min: George Pickow and Peter Kennedy talk about making the 1953 film and John Bishop and Sabina Magliocco discuss the making this DVD.

[@D-777i]

Back every Mayday to watch this. Happy Mayday all!

[@harrietharlow9929]

Happy May Day (Beltane)!

[@drparnassus2867]

This is absolutely hypnotic. Whoever downvoted this should be sacrificed to ancient gods.

[@greendiesel6869]

Dr Parnassus OSS OSS ... Good ta see others watchin :-)

[@rosemaryread6197]

I was actually there in 1965 or 1966 and hypnotic is exactly what is was.

[@paulblatchfordplymouth]

Fabulous. A Britain long gone.

[@MarkLaw-xy9vf]

Old Oss still takes place every year

[@brendaflower7790]

Still there,just have to look for it.

[@brendaflower7790]

We must never lose these old customs.

[@briandavies7502]

Missed this year due to illness but have been going every year for at least 10 years

[@Survivethejive]

I love this film. Thanks for uploading this cheeky but important document.

[@athulfgeirsson]

Well this came in handy eh?

[@calvinmondrago7397]

England lives!

[@aldrintoscano]

@@calvinmondrago7397 it's Cornwell

[@calvinmondrago7397]

@@aldrintoscano An Italian correcting me about who is English? Jog on, son.

[@aldrintoscano]

I'm Indian, actually

[@simpletownworx]

Proud to be a Celt and born on May day.

[@hiccacarryer3624]

me too !

[@TehminaGoskar]

Simpletown Worx Happy Birthday! Penbloodh Lowen!

[@drparnassus2867]

Happy Birthday sir!

[@greendiesel6869]

HAPPY BORNDAY OSS OSS

[@zingzangwallawalla]

Penn-bloodh Lowen rag de!

[@georgebright6491]

This was my first May Day. I was 7 months old but over the years I've made the Journey Back to be in padstow on this day gladdens the heart a little slice of paradise. When you're here summer is a-coming song the world stops for that moment is hustle and bustle and there you are transported back in time once you've heard that music it never leaves your heart and mind. And there's one point in this video where you see proper breakdancing you boy.❤

[@pseudonamed]

English folk customs are so adorable and mad. I love it. I want to bring that sort of thing back in Canada.

[@keithlightminder3005]

Maybe good to remember that there indigenous cultural customs here already, and the English tried to colonize Cornwall out of its ways as they tried here too.

[@pseudonamed]

@@keithlightminder3005 Well yes there are indigenous cultural customs here already but if you are not indigenous then you shouldn't practice them without being invited to.. so in that case better to connect with your own ancestral customs

[@RicTic66]

@@keithlightminder3005 If you'd been colonised out of your culture you would have no record of it. So what's to remember? You are obviously bitter but I don't think it's got anything to do with the English.

[@Wotsitorlabart]

@@RicTic66 It's always something to do with the English. It's a given.

[@greendiesel33]

CORNISH NOT ENGLISH!!!

[@timridley1]

The Oss lads dancing in the pub on 1st of May eve are like the forebears of punk

[@thebaronofbelco2615]

I thought the exact same thing!

[@swallin19]

Still going strong, I used to live in Padstow as a youngster while my mother was ill, and we attended several times, picking up again in the 1970s and 90's, not been some several years, but always in my thoughts in May. A curio from the past that must be treasured for the future, it means so much to the locals.

[@kololikate]

maybe not this year. SO sad.

[@anonymousalias.5059]

what an absolutely beautiful tradition and an outstanding film

[@theGrooveChampion]

I may just like everything posted to this channel. I'm gonna be loosing some long blocks of time over here now.

[@HighTen_Melanie]

OSS OSS! Sincere thanks for this upload. My Dad was born in Padstow in 1946 and my late Gran who was born in 1916. Dad will be thrilled to watch this and I'm quite sure he will recognise a few people!

[@bluestar.8938]

Thank you : )

[@stephenmatthews861]

I see that modern rave/trance dancing was invented in that pub. Amazing. Love it.

[@jessewru6425]

so much culture and spirit would be gone to many without Allen and John Lomax. I am always so grateful for all the rare recordings.

[@anni50ful]

Not seen this before and I really enjoyed it , Im not Cornish but I lived in Padstow for 28 years ,my children were born there and took part in May Day when they were younger .we moved away from Padstow but the drums still call to us ...

[@christineweir1042]

This is sure a great film, telling the story of the Padstow Oss. I absolutely love the tradition and always want to be there. Every year, it makes Spring

[@beltanebabe55]

Born on May 1st 1953 loved living in Cornwall got a free party every birthday LOL

[@PoliticalprisonUK]

Oh for a land long gone, I am now just a pilgrim in a land I once called my Home

[@paulziolo9241]

A ‘sexy, savage, springtime rite’ - no kidding!

[@michaeljackson5914]

Hail the old ones!

[@chrissychard2300]

My god that child has true Padsta blood running though his veins....tis 'ansome!

[@LOL-it1pu]

He was a joy to behold!

[@Bella-fz9fy]

I have always wondered what sort of dancing took place in ancient pagan celebrations/ceremonies,so it’s fascinating to see the way the two young men dance,which looks more ‘tribal’.I hope folk traditions (as well as carrying on)in England and Cornwall get more ‘gutsy’,as they seem to be getting tamer by the year!

[@FJMLAM]

Truly magical

[@1945barbara]

First saw this film in the 1960s in Liverpool, we went forbthevfirst time in 1991, it was worth waiting to go to see it., ,

[@TheFolksinger]

Watched this, by chance, on the 1st of May. Lovely ritual and one I had never heard of before. Thanks for posting.

[@leornendeealdenglisc]

A good tune that is, a good tune that is.

[@Kampfwageneer]

"i said do what ya can for me ya killjoy" - too many of them these days

[@kololikate]

What a wonderful film and a brilliant archive!

[@greendiesel6869]

kololikate KERNOW BYS VYKEN frm Cornwall

[@FrithonaHrududu02127]

This is awesome. I WISH our PSAs were this good in the states. We used quarry dive at like 12 outside of Boston so i dont think wed have paid it much mind

[@zingzangwallawalla]

Kala' Me lowen dhewgh hwi oll... yma hav ow tos hedhyu :3

[@greendiesel6869]

zingzangwallawalla OSS OSS ...

[@greendiesel6869]

zingzangwallawalla Kernow bys Vyken frm Cornwall

[@geckoman63]

Good Ole Mack! OSS OSS!!

[@terinasargeant138]

Wheres little Willie now? Does anyone know or can they follow it up? Does Willie still live in Padstow and dance the oss?

[@joalexsg9741]

How insteresting, by the way, the males´ colored bandanas are really charming! Shared, meur ras/ trugarez mad dit!!

[@IIllytch321nonadinfinitum]

They knew how to get into it then; some of the videos I've just watched of their Mayday now are tame in comparison. Culture is fascinating sometimes. Also, when I used to drink, that's exactly how I'd dance, heh.

[@kololikate]

The kids in this video will all be in their 70's and 80's now. Tragic to think it won't happen this year. Or will it?

[@greendiesel6869]

kololikate Or will it ... OSS OSS

[@jabdbx1327]

It definetly did! I heard the music all day i was overjoyed, so i put on my whites and blue scarf and sung my heart out in the back garden and did a bit of mayday dancing too! Honestly I am so hyped that people decided to do a bit of singing!!!

[@greendiesel6869]

J aBDbx ♥♥♥ Meur ras Meur ras YOUR A ★ . Thats put the biggest smile on me face it really has I had faith that the spirit of the Obby Oss would prevail .

[@kololikate]

@@jabdbx1327 wonderful!

[@phoenix8846]

Fabulous! Thankyou

[@inregionecaecorum]

Will not so little Willy be leading the dance this Sunday?

[@tabhorian]

I wonder what ever happened to "Willie" he must be in his late 60s or early 70s by now. I hope he is still involved.

[@dragonjdgirl]

Willie is still going, his son Jamie has taken over from him though.

[@cognitionengine]

Brilliant. Who were those "influential people" trying to keep the 'oss' from coming out?

[@greendiesel6869]

The right honourable Matty Mc Hoon LOOKS LIKE SOMEONE ELSE TOOK THAT HAM

[@greendiesel33]

KERNOW BYS VYKEN CORNWALL FOREVER OSS OSS WE OSS ... OUR KERNOW WILL STAY A TREASURE FOREVER. OUR TREASURE. THIS SIDE OF THE TAMAR !! . ENJOY YOUR CELEBRATIONS . 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@D-777i]

Shame this won’t be able to take place this year.

[@greendiesel6869]

D-777 ITS MORE N SHAME ITS A BLEDDY DISGRACE .... ID BE OUT DANCIN N SINGIN IF WAS IN TOWN

[@jabdbx1327]

Id definetly did! Well ish! I wa so upset when they cancelled it but some legends played music in their whites and bandannas and I sung my heart out and did may dancing all day on facetime to friends!!

[@stumccabe]

OSS OSS WEE OSS!!!

[@PaulMcCaffreyfmac]

Superb!

[@hiccacarryer3624]

Creiddylad, daughter of Lludd Silver Hand, is a lady living at the court of King Arthur at Celliwig in Cerniw. Considered to be the most beautiful girl in the British Isles, she is loved by two of Arthur's warriors: Gwythyr father of Gwenhwyfar and Gwyn Ap Nudd king of Annwn. Her rival suitors are thrust into conflict when Gwythyr abducts her from her father's house, to which Gwyn retaliates by kidnapping her from Gwythyr. Due to Arthur's intervention in the ensuing feud, the lady Creiddylad is returned to her father and an arrangement (a dihenydd, or "fate")is made that forces the adversaries to engage in single combat for the object of their love every May Day - Kalan Me-while she is destined to remain with her father, unmarried-until a final battle on Judgement Day, which will determine who keeps her forever. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gwyn_ap_Nudd en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culhwch_and_Olwen

[@torriggiant8082]

Reposted on Cornish Giants

[@greendiesel33]

Kernow bys vyken Cornwall forever 🏴‍☠️

[@C.Hawkshaw]

That fisherman looks like Jude Law.

[@kernowkidcornwallisacountr9657]

KERNOW BYS VYKEN ONEN HAG OLL OSS OSS .. Told propa aswell .

[@greendiesel6869]

Kernow Kid ت中木؛ ه CORNWALL IS A COUNTRY OSS OSS WE OSS N SUMMER IS STILL COMMIN ...THEY BLEDDY AVIN ACLAFF THE OSS SHOULD STILL BE OUT DANCIN N BEING TEASED . OSS OSS

[@fedyno4reviews]

Cornwall is a vassal state of Wessex.

[@greendiesel33]

OSS WE OSS KERNOW BYS VYKEN CORNWALL FOREVER 🏴‍☠️

[@DanielPOURSACCONFOLENS]

la référence en Blues c'est Alan Lomax c'est pour vous

[@Lamboghini558]

imagne this in 1080P HD

[@douglastrazzare3298]

So, who exactly is Ursula Birdwood? Can anybody tell me?

[@kaguth]

As a Canadian. I'm curious do you pronounce Padstow like "Pad-stow" rhyming with "how" or is more like "Padst-Oh-we" rhyming with "Hoe"

[@fionamcmillan7147]

Pad Stow or pads toe end with an O sound as in toe. The w is silent. The emphasis is on the a in Pads a as in apple. Th ending is sort of swallowed, and not emphasized.

[@oakashthorn5714]

Does this still happen in cornwall now?

[@RicTic66]

Yes yes always has and always will, the origins are lost in the mists of time, but it predates Christianity. Get yourself to Padstow on May morn and experience something rather special : )

[@oakashthorn5714]

RicTic66 absolutely I have been looking at lots of this type of thing recently. strange with what's happening politically in Britain & on the continent many people are starting to look towards their own heritage & culture again..technology etc might move forward but you can't take away something that lives in the people.!!..

[@RicTic66]

@@oakashthorn5714 England has lots of regional folk rites and lore from the coconut dancers of Bacup Lancashire, Abbots Bromley Horn Dance Staffordshire, Hungerford Hocktide Festival & Tutti Men Berkshire, Helston Floral dance Cornwall, Well dressing Derbyshire plus lots of ancient cross country Shrovetide ball (football) matches too many to mention lol but the most famous is the Royal Shrovetide Football Ashbourne in Derbyshire. The Sedgefield Shrovetide Football Co Durham is probably the most violent, but all in good fun with no malice ; )

[@oakashthorn5714]

RicTic66 excellent thank you...I know the well dressing as it's close to me, the others I'll enjoy researching Thanks for the tips

[@jabdbx1327]

It blooming well does! Padstow would NOT be Padstow without Mayday! Lowen Mayday

[@daveenglish2]

If it wasn't for Padstonians, we wouldn't have had the Village People.

[@Psmith-ek5hq]

Is there a YMCA there?

[@HazelSimpson]

This film was made in 1953 not 1951.

[@e.jenima7263]

It is a shame that In the USA in the catholic community we no loger practice the tradishenal May day celibrations like these all we have are women's and workers rights protests and marches instead of Trafishenal religious / folk proceshions or you have staunch religious saying peopol saying that customs like these are too "Un Christian" it is just a shame I really do wish we hade celibrations like these revived in the USA again amoung the Christian Communitys.

[@alexanderwagner4587]

Exactly where in the Bible does it advocate dressing like a horse and dancing around phallic symbols to welcome Summer/nature's rebirth? The only reason Catholics would celebrate May Day is because Catholicism is essentially 90% Paganism and 10% Judaism, whereas Protestantism simply removed the Paganism from their version of Christianity to make it more Jewish. May Day/Beltane/Walpurgisnacht is 100% PAGAN!

[@Wotsitorlabart]

​@@alexanderwagner4587 You need to read up on the history of the hobby horse and the maypole. And May Day is neither pagan nor Christian it is secular - it has no religious significance. It is simply a time for celebrating the warmth of spring after the cold dark months.

[@bouffon1]

Mohammed won't like this.