How did hobbyhorses take part in European and Indian folk festivals?

Hobbyhorses have long served as significant elements in folk performance traditions across Europe and India, functioning as wearable costume pieces that allow dancers to embody equine characters.

European Traditions

In Europe, the hobbyhorse emerged by the mid-16th century as a central figure in the morris dance. The costume typically consists of a horse figure fastened around the dancer’s waist, creating the illusion that the performer is riding the animal. These figures were integral to various performance traditions, often associated with festive or theatrical displays.1

Indian Traditions

In India, the use of hobbyhorses is a spectacular feature of folk dance, particularly in the Rajasthan region. The kachchi ghori dancers perform at marriages and festivals while wearing a papier-mâché horse built on a bamboo frame around their lower bodies. These dancers are traditionally attired as bridegrooms and carry shields and swords to enact jousting contests. Additionally, in the Himalayan regions, masked folk dances sometimes feature animal impersonations, such as the yak dance, where performers use costumes to represent animals in ritualistic or festive contexts.2