Thousands of people thronged the streets of Padstow in Cornwall for the historic Obby Oss celebrations - the annual May Day event to welcome the summer.
Fierce-looking masks and black frames adorn the two horses - red for the Old Oss and blue for the Blue Ribbon Oss, also known as the Peace Oss.
Family loyalties usually dictate whether Padstownians adorn their white outfits with blue or red flashes to show which oss they support.
Led by "teasers", the osses are paraded through the town accompanied by dancers, drums and accordions.
During the various dances young women may be "dragged" under the cloak of the oss as a portrayal of a fertility rite. It was once said that women caught beneath the veil would be pregnant within the year.
Re: Cornish Fertility treament
Posted: Tue May 08, 2012 2:06 pm
by MajGenl.Meade
I didn't see the red oss but the blue one looked fearsome all right.
My vote for best teasers goes to the red - that one..... ooo-er
Would it spoil their fun if someone pointed out that summer does not begin until June 20/21?
Luckily the sun shined on the festivities as the hoards gathered in their finest clothes and danced in and out of shops, private houses and streets.
The ancient festival kicked off at 7am with the Early Morning Dance. Sleepy residents admired the commotion from their windows, many still wearing pyjamas and dressing gowns.
The Hal-an-Tow pageant took place at 8am followed by the Popular Children's Dance followed at 9.50am and the Ancient Furry Dance at noon.
The last dance will take place at 5pm this evening.
