Any Excuse for a Song and Dance
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382104)
Rockingham, Australia
December 9, 2015 7:34pm CST
We saw several maypoles in our travels in Bavaria and Germany. May 1st is maypole day. The actual pole is usually a tall straight pine tree chosen by the young men of the 'Burschenverein', an association similar in nature to Young Farmers' groups. The tree is felled and hidden away as part of the merriment is to steal the pole of a neighbouring village. If stolen, a ransom must be paid which usually involves large amounts of beer and food. There is a strict code of conduct governing maypole theft.
The poles are decorated with signs or pictures showing crafts or industries that are important in the area. Ribbons and wreaths are also added to the pole. When the maypole is erected, it begins a long and festive day of music and dancing.
There are reports of maypoles from the 13th century. Today they reflect the interests and wealth of the community. It was difficult to get good photos of the maypoles as mostly we were sailing past before we realised what we were seeing. Have you seen these maypoles in your travels?
10 people like this
7 responses
@rocky1980 (530)
• Chandigarh, India
10 Dec 15
very strange and interesting excuse for song and dance. Cut down a tree of a neighbouring village and hide and ask for ransom, large bears and food, very unique tradition to have a party.
2 people like this
@rocky1980 (530)
• Chandigarh, India
11 Dec 15
@JudyEv yes you are right. In our country, we have many traditions which are strange to others and some of them are so strange that sometimes even Indians do find them strange. We have one called "Naag Panchami" a hindu festival or tradition, on this day we worship snakes. We are supposed feed them milk in a bowl and it considered auspicious if drinks some milk from the your bowl. According to science theory, snakes don't drink milk. this is not their food. Serving milk could be dangerous to snake's life. I laugh when I see people serving milk to snakes on Naag Panchami.
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@JudyEv (382104)
• Rockingham, Australia
11 Dec 15
@rocky1980 Have you heard of Sherlock Holmes? He was a fictional private detective. Someone got murdered and Sherlock worked out a snake came down through a ceiling air vent, attracted by milk and bit the victim.
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@BelleStarr (61463)
• United States
10 Dec 15
I have not but I have visited Germany and Austria in January so not likely to be up.
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@JudyEv (382104)
• Rockingham, Australia
11 Dec 15
This type is only in parts of Germany - and the English type are probably only put up for special occasions.
@garymarsh6 (24026)
• United Kingdom
10 Dec 15
I have not seen them. Our maypoles are somewhat different in the UK
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@JudyEv (382104)
• Rockingham, Australia
10 Dec 15
We occasionally have the English type here for a special event and yes, it is different.
