Polish in Taunton
There are many different cultures in Taunton but the Portuguese, Spanish and to the Polish make up the largest parts of the city’s population. The majority of immigrants came to Taunton at the turn of the 1900’s in search of jobs in one of the many mills. Iron was the first major industry to succeed in Taunton and soon after the silver industry became another large and profitable industry in the city. The iron industry produced goods like stoves and machinery out of bog iron which was harvested from the nearby swamps. The Silver industry made silverware and other valuables.
The largest wave of Polish immigration to the United States occurred between 1870 and 1914 and a lot of these immigrants wound up in Taunton. Voyages to the US where usually about 3 weeks depending on the weather and if the captain wants to make any additional stops along the way. The Polish were willing to do anything to come over here because it was the best place for them to start a family with all the opportunities that they have over here. They came over crammed on ships and once they arrived they took work from anyone that would hire them, usually factories and mills, and end up working 12 hours a day 6 days a week just to make 6 to 7 dollars a week. Those who couldn’t speak English had the most difficulty due to language barriers as well as cultural, occupational, and prejudicial differences.
The Polish listened to Polish folk music and they danced to Polka music. The Polka dance was a lively couple dance that was usually in a duple meter. The Polka is increasing its position among polish dances. However the dance did not originate from Poland and it is not enumerated among the five “ national “ dances of Poland which includes polonaise, kujawiak, mazur, oberek, and krakowiak.. It is a Czech dance but it is popular in areas throughout Europe as well as North and South America. According to the New Grove dictionary of music and musicians Polka originated in Bohemia around 1830 as a round dance then it became popular in Europe and in America in the course of the 19th century. The name “Polka” is thought to be derived from Czech word půlka, meaning half, due to the short half steps used in the dance and the half tempo of the beat. The originator of the dance is believed to be Anna Slezáková who would dance her “Maděra” dance to folk music. When dance teachers witnessed her dance they began teaching it to students and it spread and evolved into polka.