BACKGROUND INFORMATION This dance was alerted to Merv and Alison Davey by Mrs Shaw and Dean in 'Folklore of Cornwall' (p177) where 'tobacco roll' was described as a children's dance from West Cornwall, but as with the snake dance it was known to most of our informants. Again, it is an example of how the distinction between a dance and a game can be a very fine (link to the Snake Dance). The tobacco roll is also referred to in Courtney's 'Cornish Feasts and Folklore' (1898 p39). DANCE NOTATIONS Formation
Dancers Join hands in a line (as a children's dance the tallest would be at the head) Step
Skip step or lively march Movements 1) The first dancer stand still whilst the others dance forward all at once thus pivoting around the stationary dancer, each dancer becoming stationary in turn as a consequence.
2) When wound tightly around the process is reverse and steps are retraced until a straight line is formed again. 3) Then the dance is repeated but on this occasion the dancer on the opposite end of the line stands still. TUNE/SONG The suggested tune for this dance is 'Truro Agricultural Show', although any lively March would be suitable.
