Borkum's Klaasohm Festival Under Fire for Controversial Tradition
Published Dec 4, 2024 at 04:12 PM | Reading Time: 2 minutes
Island in Germany to abandon controversial Christmas practice of severely whipping women with cow horns
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In certain German regions, traditional Saint Nicholas Day celebrations carry a chilling twist. One such example can be seen on Bavaria's Krampus, a frightful Christmas demon who roams parades and lashes out at spectators with a birch rod. However, the Borkum Island's Klaasohm festival, with a population of 5,000, has stirred controversy due to its peculiar, and some would argue, violent tradition.
Once night falls during the annual Klaasohm festival on December 5, revelers clad in elaborate costumes pursue women and strike them with cow horns, leaving victims bruised and in pain for days. Some men relish the severity of their hits, a practice that has remained covert for years. As this troubling ritual comes under intense scrutiny, residents face accusations of perpetuating a harmful legacy.
The History of Klaasohm Festival: A Dark Secret Unveiled
The Klaasohm festival traces its roots back to the 17th and 18th centuries when fishermen, upon returning from sea, symbolically reclaimed the island by running around it. This initially harmless tradition has morphed into a ** macabre and contentious spectacle** over time.
At first glance, one might view the festival as typical: young men dressed in sheepskin, bird feathers, and eerie masks engaging in a wrestling match while the entire community cheers them on. Yet, the festival takes a shocking turn as night falls.
The festival's most problematic facet involves young men chasing down women, pinning them, and using cow horns to strike them. Observers, including children, cheer as women are subjected to this disturbing treatment. Some locals view the practice as harmless fun, yet survivors and witnesses paint a grim picture of unrelenting pain and humiliation.
Recently, the festival was thrust into the spotlight after broadcaster NDR secretly captured footage of the 2023 event, exposing this disturbing ritual and the surrounding culture of silence. Frightened residents refused to openly discuss the festival, with some former islanders revealing that men took pride in causing unbearably painful injuries[1].
In response to NDR's inquiries, festival organizers reluctantly acknowledged a past history of cow horn strikes, both individually and in recent years, though they now claim to have abandoned the practice. The association overseeing the event cited the festival as a symbol of "solidarity" and "islander camaraderie," while officials have promised a "zero-tolerance policy" for violence.
While Borkum Island residents face criticism for preserving this violent tradition, similar instances persist in other locales. For instance, the chocolate hand sales in Belgium, symbolizing King Leopold II's brutal colonial legacy, have raised questions about the commodification of colonial trauma and the continuation of these disturbing practices in modern holiday celebrations.
In light of these events, we are compelled to ask: at what point does tradition become an excuse to perpetuate harmful practices? With the Klaasohm festival under intense scrutiny, it may be time for islanders to reconsider the importance of certain traditions and question their potential damage.
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[1] The Klaasohm Festival: A Sight to Behold? (TikTok)[2] Celebrate Borkum's Klaasohm Festival! (Instagram)[3] Beloved Borkum Island Traditions (Facebook)
- The controversy surrounding Borkum's Klaasohm festival has sparked a conversation about the limits of tradition, as some argue that the festival's violent practices, such as striking women with cow horns, are no longer acceptable in today's society.
- As more general-news emerges about the Klaasohm festival's violent tradition, political debates are likely to ensue, with some calling for an end to the festival and others defending it as a cherished community event.
