Traditional dancers black their faces to 'prevent being recognised by evil spirits' in historic procession

[Wingnut]

Traditional dancers from a 150-year-old troupe took to the streets with blackened faces in a historic procession.
Members of the Britannia Coconut Dancers of Bacup took part in the Whitworth Rushcart parade, in Lancashire, accompanied by a hand-drawn cart decorated with flowers and a brass band.
The troupe performs 'folk dances', with their blackened faces reflecting a 'pagan tradition as a disguise from the evil spirits'.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4848714/Traditional-dancers-black-faces-historic-parade.html#ixzz4rjDRCQEO