There are many different maypole moves and no standard terminology to describe them. Therefore, I’m going to use a consistent set of names on this site, and hope that others will adopt them.
Plaits
Plait: Requires an even number of dancers. Alternating dancers face in opposite directions. ie. Left, right, left, right, etc.
Each dancer passes right shoulder with the dancer facing them, left shoulder with the next. Repeat as many times as desired.
Alternating Plait: Requires an even number of dancers.
Call every other dancer group A.
Call the remaining dancers group B
Group A remain on the spot.
Group B all face clockwise. They go once round the pole, passing over and under the ribbons of Group A. When they get back to their starting position they stand still.
Group A now face anti-clockwise.
If the last Group B dancer went over their ribbon, they will start with an ‘over’ move.
If the last Group B dancer went under their ribbon, they will start with an ‘under’ move.
Zig Zag Plait
Plait Without a Pole (I don’t know whether this move originated in Hungary, but I’ve only recorded it in three places, and two were using the Hungarian language term for a ribbon dance.)
This move can be performed with or without a pole. Ribbons can be suspended from the ceiling in some manner.
The dancers split into two groups, one on each side of the ‘pole’.
Each group forms a small circle on their side of the ‘pole’.
The groups rotate round in their individual circles, one going clockwise, the other anti-clockwise.
There is a small region where the circles overlap. When the dancer from group A meets her counterpart from group B, she passes her ribbon over the group B dancer’s head, and they both cross over to become part of the other circle.
ie. Everyone dances a figure of eight.
This creates a single braid that hangs down a bit like a plait of hair. (Sorry no photo, there was no camera handy last time I did this figure with a group.)
The Moon (waxes and wanes)
This is an extreme version of the plait and should only be done with dancers who are used to working as a team.
Dancers stand in a circle. Draw an imaginary line across the circle.
All the dancers on one side face clockwise, the other side face anticlockwise.
Each side follows the leader for their group, as they alternate going over and under the other group.
At some point, all the dancers will be on the same side of the pole (crescent moon).
At a different point, they will make a ring (full moon).
Good ribbon control is essential. The look of the dance is greatly enhanced if everyone raises their ribbons in unison when passing over the other group, and then brings them down together when passing under.
I’ve also seen this move done with a different start. Visualise men and women alternating round the set. Men face one way, women the other. Men (for example) raise their ribbons and move clockwise, while the women lower theirs and move anticlockwise. Both groups adjust spacing until they each occupy a semi-circle.
After doing the ‘Moon’, reverse this starting move to get back into couples again. (See ‘Brazil’ once I’ve written it, for a great example of this move)
Sway ribbons: Face pole. Sway ribbons left to right (various options in how you hold the ribbons). Ribbons can be swayed towards and away from a partner, or all clockwise/anticlockwise in unison.
Webs
Figure of 8 Web: Requires an even number of dancers.
Each couple dance twice around each other.
Face away from your partner and dance twice around the dancer you’re now facing.
Dance twice around partner.
Dance twice around ‘non-partner’.
Continue as long as desired.
Spider’s Web
Accumulator
Dances with Sticks
There are a small number of ribbon dances where the dancers hold short sticks in one or both hands and clash them (either with their own sticks, or those of another dancer) as part of the dance.
Examples to date are in India and the Dominican Republic.
Circle supported by plaits
See Pinnal Kollatam