Editing Rapper sword (section)

{{Short description|Style of English sword dance}}
{{EngvarB|date=October 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2021}}
[[File:Sallyport morpeth.jpg |thumb|Sallyport Rapper performing in [[Morpeth, Northumberland|Morpeth]] 1999.]]

'''Rapper sword''' (also known as '''short sword dance''') is a variation of [[sword dance]] unique to [[Northumberland]] and [[County Durham]]. It emerged from the [[pit village]]s of [[Tyneside]] and [[Wearside]], where [[miner]]s first performed the tradition.<ref name="Harrop & Roud">{{cite book |last1=Harrop |first1=Peter |last2=Roud |first2=Steve |title=The Routledge Companion to English Folk Performance |date=12 July 2021 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=9781000401592 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fRswEAAAQBAJ |access-date=6 December 2021}}</ref><ref name="Thrales">{{cite web|title=Rapper Sword Dancing|url=http://thralesrapper.info/about/rapper|publisher=Thrales Rapper|access-date=14 May 2012}}</ref>

The dance requires five performers who co-ordinate themselves while using "rapper swords" made from flexible steel. Accompanied by [[folk music|traditional folk music]], the dancers wear hard-soled shoes that allow for [[Percussion instrument|percussive]] foot movements. Mental [[alertness]], in addition to physical [[agility]], is required in order for dance participants to use the swords effectively without causing harm to themselves or the other performers.<ref>{{cite web|title=Rapper|url=http://www.edwardsce.freeserve.co.uk/staffordmorris/rapper.htm|work=Stafford Morris Men|publisher=John Edwards|access-date=14 May 2012|author=John Edwards}}</ref>