Women beat as a folk festival | NDR.de – television – programs AZ – Panorama

As of: November 28, 2024 9:45 p.m

On the North Sea island of Borkum, there is a hidden custom beyond the tourist idyll: on December 5th, the islanders celebrate the “Klaasohm” festival, which also celebrates violence against women. The press is not welcome – criticism is unwelcome.

by Kim Eckert, Gunnar Krupp, Simon Hoyme, Lorenz Jeric and Betül Sarikaya

The ritual is strictly organized. It is organized by the Borkum Boys Association, which only accepts Borkum men over the age of 16. Six of their number are appointed Klaasohms for the festival – costumed mythical creatures with fur masks, robes and cow horns. They are accompanied by a man in women’s clothing called Wiefke and other members of their club who act as catchers. Together they walk through the streets, stop into houses and bars and celebrate with the island community.

The part of the festival that is not supposed to reach the outside world is an evening hunt across the island, during which violence occurs against participants: the catchers go looking for young women who are held and handed over to the Klaasohms. As the audience applauds, the Klaasohms hit the women’s bottoms with cow horns.

From pride to pain

Our research shows: What begins as a cheerful celebration often ends in pain and humiliation. The women know what can happen that evening. Nevertheless, many people take part in the festival, which the people of Borkum celebrate as a big gathering.

Klaasohms with friends: “It’s a purely men’s day,” says an older islander.

Affected women report that what initially felt like an adventure can quickly turn around. They report aggressive attacks. “Of course you feel anxious. I mean, you know it’s going to hurt like hell,” says an anonymous interviewee. “I was in a lot of pain at the time and was really crying. And at the same time I was angry with myself because I thought: Why am I doing this to myself? Why did I run along?” Her body was then covered in bruises from her tailbone to the back of her knee.

Reporting undesirable

Apparently part of the tradition is that the press is unwelcome. Reporters rarely dare to go to the festival. Footage from 1987 shows how aggressive the reactions to journalists can be. “Hello, NDR television, can we come in?” – “No, get out of here, get out of here, no discussion, you get away!”

It is also clear on social media that reporting is undesirable. “The Klaasohm doesn’t like that,” says one post. “In order for Klaasohm to remain as the highest holiday and identity-forming festival for the people of Borkum, the level of awareness must be kept low. A task that constantly occupies the Borkumer Jungs eV 1830 association. Please show your respect and do not spread anything.” A team from CTRL_F and Panorama – the reporters managed to take covert footage of the woman being hunted.

More information

ARD Media library

In December, the North Sea island of Borkum celebrates a seemingly bizarre custom: young women have their bottoms spanked at the Klaasohm Festival. Outsiders are not welcome that night. video

The longer version of the STRG_F research about the Klaasohm Festival in Borkum on YouTube. external

Criticism and consequences

In Borkum it is said that the custom goes back to an old whaling tradition. While some see the festival as identity-forming and important, others strictly reject the practice. Women from Borkum who grew up with the festival tell us anonymously about their experiences. “You’re the center of attention, the whole audience is standing around you. They’re all making fun of you… and it’s oppressive, shameful, oppressive,” says another woman.

Some women try to avoid the festival, but this doesn’t always work. “I must have been 16 or 17 years old,” reports another interviewee. “Then I ran towards home. Suddenly a van drove past me and stopped. Three boys I knew jumped out of the car, grabbed me by my hands and feet and tried to drag me into this car. Me “I then tried to defend myself with my hands and feet, both physically and verbally. This fight probably lasted a good ten minutes.”

Attacks against women

A man dressed as Klaasohm hits a woman on the bottom with a cow horn. Still image from a hidden camera recording. © NDR

Filmed with a hidden camera: A woman is held and the Klaasohm hits her on the bottom several times with a cow horn.

We document the hunt for women with covert cameras. The Klaasohms, accompanied by the “catchers,” walk through the streets and stop into houses. Alcohol flows. We also see many women on the streets that night. They take part voluntarily and obviously have fun. Some hide, it sometimes seems like a game of cat and mouse.

If a young woman is caught, the catchers hold her until the Klaasohms get there. Children watch, surrounding men and women roar, every blow is celebrated. The troop moves on, stops by houses and bars and celebrates.

Social pressure

A former Klaasohm is now critical of this and regrets his participation. He tells us: “It’s not questioned and it’s not explained. And when you’re socialized like that, it’s just normal. I think the image of women that comes through the back door is pretty meaningful. If you meet once a year “takes away the right to hit women.” There is a kind of peer pressure that forces many people from Borkum to remain silent or to participate, even if they are against it.

Advice and help for women

The “Violence Against Women” helpline is a nationwide advice service for women who have experienced or are still experiencing violence. At the number 08000 116 016 those affected receive 365 days a year, around the clock advice. Relatives, friends and specialists also receive help anonymously and free of charge. This helps in emergencies police under 110.

The Federal Association of Women’s Advice Centers offers an online search mask that can be used to quickly find a local advice center.

Reactions of the authorities

The responsible police and public prosecutor’s office stated in writing that in the past five years no reports had been received from women who were said to have been injured there. The police, the organizer Association Borkumer Jungs eV 1830 and the mayor of the island refused an interview.

The mayor only commented by email: “The Klaasohmfest is a traditional festival for islanders, which, like many regional traditions, is not easily accessible to outsiders. Therefore, it is not advertised and we do not support its mention in the media.” He goes on to write that critical voices are certainly being heard on the island and that the vast majority of Borkum residents support the festival.

Discussion about change

Since the local official bodies do not speak to us, the research team makes inquiries at the state level. The Lower Saxony State Secretary for Social Affairs, Labor, Health and Equality, Christine Arbogast, was previously unfamiliar with the custom in Borkum. She rates the photos from the island from 2023 as strange. You can’t beat other people up for fun. “I find it extremely difficult when women, no matter what day of the year, have the feeling that they can’t move freely outside. That’s actually something that shouldn’t be the case,” says Arbogast.

The State Secretary does not believe that an impulse from outside can trigger a debate about the tradition on the island: “In my opinion, the people of Borkum would have a responsibility to discuss it and think about whether it is still contemporary in its form today .”