Are women beaten for fun on the island of Borkum in the North Sea on the night of December 6? A report about the St. Nicholas ”Klaasohm” tradition on the East Frisian island has sparked nationwide criticism. In the article, anonymous women report aggressive attacks.
Last year, a team from the ARD magazine “Panorama” filmed how women at the festival were held in the street by “catchers” and the Klaasohms, as they are called, hit them on the bottom with a cow horn. “Terrible tradition. “How deep the pressure of women is still anchored,” said one user about the contribution of the NDR report format “STRG_F”, published on YouTube.
Criticism also comes from the state government of Lower Saxony.When asked by the German Press Agency, the State Secretary in the Ministry of Social Affairs, Christine Arbogast, said that customs and traditions in general have a high priority. They should be respected and protected. “But it’s clear that everything ends when women feel unsafe and fear corporal punishment,” Arbogast said.
“If you want your bottom spanked with a horn, you can do that. Anyone who doesn’t want that needs to be respected too. Women should not stay at home on any day of the year and not want to go out on the streets for fear of being beaten.”
Almost no one on the island, home to about 5,000 people, speaks publicly about the problematic side of the tradition. This coudl be due to the organizers of the festival, the Borkum boys’ association as 1830. According to NDR’s research,the association should ask people to remain silent about the habit.
In a statement,the club admitted that hitting with cow horns was part of the habit in the past “and in individual cases in recent years.” “We expressly distance ourselves from any form of violence against women and we apologize for the historical actions of the past years,” the association said. However, this part of the tradition was not the heart of the festival. In recent years “it almost didn’t happen at all”. In the future, the club wants to completely eliminate the “habit of hitting,” he said.
The tradition has been there for generations every year on the evening before 6 December. According to the East frisian Regional Landscape Association, young unmarried men dress as so-called Klaasohms in masks, sheepskin and bird feathers. The term “Klaas” goes back to the Dutch word for saint Nicholas. Then the Klaasohms go with a man dressed as a woman who behaves wildly as a so-called Wievke with
According to tradition, a ritual fight first takes place in a hall, closed to the public, where only men born on borkum are allowed. “After that, the men move from house to house across the island with a lot of noise,” is how the regional association in East Freesia describes the custom.
“Young women who go out of the house that night are arrested and hit by a cow’s horn. But the children are treated well and given moppen, a hard honeycomb pastry,” he continues. The customization ends in one place. The highlight was a jump from the klaasohms and Wievke from a meter high column into the crowd.
In Borkum the custom is said to go back to the time of the whales. The men returned to the island at the end of the year after being at sea for months and used custom to make it clear that they – and not the women – were now in charge again.
Secretary of State Arbogast criticized that the custom should not or should not be discussed. “Weather “Klaasohm” in this form is still contemporary needs to be debated,” she said. Customs and traditions stand the test of time best when they keep up with the times.“The necessary impulses and impulses must come primarily from the people of Borkum themselves. Here, those involved in the scene are asked to facilitate an open discussion.”
The Borkumer Jungs association said that the association felt it was their duty to make the festival more transparent, clear misunderstandings and make things smooth. “We understand the criticism of the scenes depicted in the report and feel compelled to make further changes.”
At the same time, the association and the mayor of the island, Jürgen Akkermann, criticized that the research presented a distorted picture of the custom.“In my opinion the reporting is biased and suspicious. Many residents of the island share this assessment,” Akkermann said in response to a dpa request.
The video sequence shows the misconduct of individuals and “can in no way be used as evidence that the island accepts violence,as the report suggests.” Akkermann continued: “Today, women, men and children celebrate together in the streets, in the bars and in the houses. Regrettably, positive voices are not heard in the report.”
The leer/emden police station, which is also responsible for the security of the North Sea island, announced on Facebook before the upcoming festival that it would not tolerate any form of violence. “If we as police become aware of any attacks, we will pursue them consistently and comprehensively.” The police also announced in the post that the current media reports about “Klaasohm” would be taken into account in the “police assessment of the situation”. “.
What are teh ancient origins of the Klaasohm Festival and how have they influenced its current practices?
Interview: Navigating Traditions and Safety – A Discussion on the Klaasohm Festival
Editor: Welcome to Time.news! Today,we have the privilege of sitting down with Dr. Maria Becker, a cultural anthropologist who specializes in regional traditions and social impact. Thank you for joining us, Dr. Becker.
Dr. Becker: Thank you for having me. It’s an important topic to discuss.
Editor: Let’s dive right in. The recent controversy surrounding the Klaasohm tradition on the island of Borkum has sparked nationwide outrage. Can you shed some light on what this tradition entails?
Dr. Becker: Certainly! The Klaasohm tradition, celebrated on the evening before December 6th, features young men dressed in elaborate costumes—masks, sheepskin, and bird feathers—who engage in playful interactions with women, frequently enough incorporating a practice where they hit women on the bottom with a cow horn. While intended as a fun festival, it has raised notable questions about consent and safety.
Editor: That’s quite a vivid description. Given the context,how do you think this tradition has persisted for so long,despite its controversial nature?
Dr. Becker: Traditions like these often have deep roots in community identity. For many on the island, it’s part of their cultural heritage. However, the normalization of behavior that can be interpreted as violence—like hitting—can perpetuate a cycle where women feel pressured to accept it in the name of tradition.The silence from many residents suggests a fear of confronting the uncomfortable aspects of it.
Editor: You mentioned pressure—could this pressure also come from the organizers,like the Borkum boys’ association,which seems to have discouraged open discussion about the problematic sides of the festival?
Dr. Becker: absolutely. The association’s past attempt to maintain silence reflects a broader issue in communities where traditions are cherished. When organizations like this discourage dissent, it not only silences critical voices but also normalizes harmful behaviors.The apology they issued suggests a turning point, yet the damage of historical actions can linger in public perception.
Editor: The state’s response has also been noteworthy. State Secretary Christine Arbogast emphasized that traditions should be respected, yet safety should take precedence. How do you see the balance between cultural preservation and ensuring safety?
Dr. Becker: That’s a delicate balance. Respecting cultural practices is essential, yet they must evolve to ensure that they promote safety and inclusivity. A tradition that instills fear in women cannot be justified merely by its historical roots. As societal values change, communities must adapt their customs to ensure they align with contemporary understandings of respect and consent.
Editor: Do you believe there’s potential for the Klaasohm festival to transform into something that celebrates culture while ensuring the safety of all participants?
Dr. Becker: There’s definitely potential! Communities can redesign traditions to foster fun and social bonding without the element of aggression. Such as, they could focus on activities that engage everyone positively, or create new rituals that prioritize respect and consent. It would require open dialog within the community, but it’s entirely feasible.
Editor: what message do you think should resonate with the broader public in light of this controversy?
Dr. Becker: Awareness and dialogue are critical.The public must understand that questioning and evolving traditions do not diminish cultural identity but rather enrich it by making it safer and more inclusive. Everyone deserves to feel safe in their community, regardless of tradition.
Editor: That’s a powerful message, Dr. Becker. thank you for sharing your insights with us today. It’s crucial for discussions like these to continue as we navigate the complexities of tradition in modern society.
Dr. Becker: Thank you for having me. Conversations like these can empower communities to reflect on their values and make positive changes.
Editor: And thank you to our audience for tuning in. Let’s continue to engage in these critically important discussions about culture, safety, and respect.