Maypole

A maypole is a decorated tree or tree trunk, which is usually on 1 May - is erected - in the Emsland district, in Franconia, in Baden and Swabia, in East Friesland and in the Czech Republic on the eve of May 1. In most regions, particularly in Baden- Württemberg, Bavaria and Austria, the solemn setting up of a tree trunk in the village square is common. The special tradition with the associated village or town festival, which takes place usually on April 30, May 1, or at Pentecost is, in many parts of central and northern Europe spread in Scandinavia but rather at Midsummer (or at the St. John's ). In Switzerland, the custom of the Maypole erection is to be found in rural communities.

General

In May trees are usually large, high -born, decorated trees that are erected at a central location in the village at a festive event. Depending on the region - and even depending on the location - can the design of Maypoles look very different.

Either the Maypole calculated annually like, or it will be several years used the same strain, the new crown is placed. In East Friesland, for example, the trunk is stored under water and brought out again May every year. Usually the stems are peeled and decorated with colorful garlands, pine green or crepe paper. Elsewhere, they have no ornament or be left in a natural state with bark. At the top of the tree is usually crowned with a wreath and the green tree top.

A - by Bavarian traditions - "right" Laced ( painted ) tribe has turned in Bavaria, the spiral from bottom left to top right. As template serve the Bavarian lozenges representing the white- blue sky. In Franconia however, we see the trees in white- red stripe design.

In the Rhineland is as Maypole often a birch beaten, or a small birch placed a high delimbed needle tree trunk, while for example in Bavaria usually a conifer is selected.

For example, while annually felled trees 20-25 m high in the Rhineland, and perennial used for standing trees up to 40 m can be high, highs will reach up to 56 m in the trees all year fixed.

Formation of the tree

Directly before placing the tree is supported depending on the region in a sort of procession through the village, whose goal is often a central place and / or restaurant and is usually accompanied by a brass band and audience. There then takes place, the actual setting up of the tree in the afternoon or evening. During the maypole was once mostly with the help of long poles, set up, take today tractors, forklifts or even zuhilfe cranes, with more of a trend towards the return of old traditions there. In some places and in Lower Austria using ropes and ladders. The maypole is based on local custom until the end of the month - sometimes until the autumn - stand and is then switched back again. He will either abgeschmückt and stored the trunk for the next year or recut as part of a festival. In this case, the tree is often auctioned or raffled off as firewood. Usually then leaves the winner the tree to the organizer and will receive a substitute prize. In many parts of Bavaria the tree remains standing throughout the year.

If the tree on the eve of May 1st is established, then the event is usually over in a majesty. While the audience mostly sell beer and sausages the time, the young men struggling with bringing the regional decorated with icons of different professions Maypole in the correct position.

Love May-

There is also the custom that young, unmarried men of the village in front of the homes of all unmarried women set up small Maypoles, May- known (mostly birch and fir trees in the Upper Swabian ), as a " mark of favor ." In some parts of Germany, for example, in the Rhineland, in the Bergische Land, in Franconia and in Swabia, it is common that male adolescents and young men at the house of the friend or beloved attach a tree. Common are mainly decorated with colorful crepe paper birch, with the color of the bands originally had a meaning. On the tree, a so-called Maiherz of wood or heavy cardboard is attached, in which the name of the beloved engraved and usually also a spell is written as a show of affection.

The maypole is a month to stand until the first of June. Then bring one from the Maypole, which has provided him. Usually this is when the woman likes him, rewarded with an invitation to dinner, and / or a case of beer. However, there is also the tradition that the young man who will pick up the tree again, from the mother of the woman a cake, from father a case of beer and you get a kiss themselves.

In a leap year, it may be reversed: Female adolescents, young women and married men in part also turn on Maypoles.

In recent decades, this custom has been softened in many parts of Germany, respected girls and young women often receive even more Maypoles unrelated intentions. As far but this is still a mark of favor, often not more. In some places on the Lower Rhine, the girls and young women of the rural youth themselves set the boys and young men Maypoles.

Not available in all areas get the Maypole also a sign with name, which occasionally leads then to assignment problems.

The counterpart to the Maypole as a favor from the so-called Schandmaien, which is a bösgemeinte home payment.

Maypole stealing

Especially stealing the maypole is an often exercised custom. On the night before setting up the maypole is usually guarded by young men.

In order to prevent the stealing of the Maypole, must according to the custom in Ostfriesland latest at the approach of strangers one of the guards one hand on the tree have. Make it the enemy to prevent this or to distract the guards so that they neglect their duty, and then perform three break ground against the tree, the tree is considered stolen. It is provided with a sign that said, the facts are otherwise, and either equal to or picked up the following day and placed next to your own tree of successful thieves. In most parts of Austria and Swabia a maypole only be deemed as stolen if he was fully passed by the thieves, or only when he has already been removed from the original site. It is a rule that only the Maypole may steal that also has itself set a.

In Bavaria, the future Maypole must already like. An even more firmly rooted tree, from which it is only known that he was elected as a maypole, may therefore not be stolen. If the tree after felling in the forest or at the edge of the forest, he may not be stolen, because that would be theft of wood.

According to the original Bavarian tradition, the tree could be made only in the Walpurgis Night itself so it could be stolen even that night. Nowadays, Maypoles but like usually weeks in advance and can therefore also earlier stolen. Thus, until May 1, also leaving enough time to trigger and return shipping.

Finally Sets during the Klauversuches a villager his hand on the tree and speaks the words: "The tree is there," then is the one protected by the Maypole Maypole thieves must not be touched. This applies also in the community area.

It is usual triggering stolen trees. To this end, a delegation of the robbed man goes to the thieves and is the price which is usually payable in kind ( food and beverages ). After successful negotiations will return the stolen tree, often returned in a solemn procession with brass band music accompaniment by the thieves to its rightful owners. Failure of the negotiations, however, and the maypole will not fire put him in Bavaria, the new "owner" as a mark of shame for the neighboring village / neighboring district and as an added blessing charm for their own place. After several weeks, the prey is then cut and sold at auction. Often a table is attached to this " Schandbaum " then, on the Maypole bring the thieves their disappointment by satirical verses to express.

In Saxony has with time relaxed rules formed. The tree is usually already set up one day before 1 May, to celebrate the occasion extensively. If May 1 but on a Friday or Saturday, he is considered by some placed only on that day. In Saxony there are all kinds of May trees - from freshly cut from the forest (mostly birch ), painted to the peeled spruce green / white, and of course, all equipped with ribbons. Equally wide-ranging are the rules when stealing the tree. So may the tree as soon as it can be hit or is clearly recognizable as Maypole, already stolen one night before setting up - because at night, when he is already, he is usually well guarded by the village youth. But may be stolen only at night, and without the use of violence - be it against the tree or the supervisor. When stolen it counts only when he was brought unnoticed through the city limits. Since the maypole is set up mostly of old tradition with hand poles and ropes, these trees may also be adapted manually and carried out of the village. It is triggered after extensive negotiations through appropriate prizes, usually in liquid form.

In some parts of Lower Austria and Upper Austria, the tree may have the first two days and nights are stolen through after installation. On the 3rd night, stealing is allowed only until midnight. The tree is considered to be stolen if the thieves have the tree folded by approximately 45 °. If previously one of the guards or villagers caught the thieves, the thieves need to set up the tree again. If the tree before 1 May already decorated ready waiting for his big day, he may also be stolen.

In parts of Austria it is also common that the thieves of the maypole have to answer in a public show trial, and in this by skilful negotiations can keep the penalty for their theft low.

In Upper Austria and in the must -quarters of the maypole is erected up to 3 days before May 1, and then guarded throughout. In this field, it is only allowed to steal already standing Maypoles. The trees have to be apportioned in the same manner as they have been established. A use of a tractor or even a Forester is therefore allowed only if the tree has been prepared by means of the same tool. Sometimes, people try to replace the guard by alarm systems or by adjusting the access roads with motor vehicles. Fire engines are used in many communities. Despite this, some communities over again, just to steal several Maypoles. These must then be triggered. Most are required as a triggering some kegs of beer, but which are then mostly emptied together. 2012 attracted a group of Upper Austria ( Engerwitzdorf ) sensation after she stole 12 May trees in three nights and lined up in a square.

The maypole theft is subject to rules to which at least also is certainly one in Bavaria, that the police are in pursuit of the " offense" is very accommodating. Who turns as Bestohlener the police, violating local customs and risked his honor. In Linz on the Danube, the mayor Dr. Franz Dobusch achieved fame because he refused to fire the stolen Maypole. In the night of 2 May 3, 2008 the Salzkammergut donated by the community Obertraun Maibaum was once again stolen the heart from the lively main square of Linz and taken by the thieves, the rural youth of Reichenau in Mühlkreisautobahn, in her hometown.

Origins

The origins of the maypole customs are still unclear or controversial. Often called Germanic rites. The Germans revered forest deities whom they worshiped in different tree rites. Even menhirs, obelisks up to the shamanic symbols in the Eurasian and American space are considered as Asherah poles in connection with May trees.

However, a continuous tradition to today's May trees is impossible to establish, it is even disputed by some folklorists. In this context, however, influences of Christianity should be considered, the suppressed pagan customs and sometimes even punished, which joined in some places the civil government to. Then also a likely further interruption of the reintroduction of tradition in the early Middle Ages could be due. A sunken Maypole tradition in Rome documented a painting by Agostino Buonamici, called il Tassi (1580-1644) from the first half of the 17th century. It shows a handsome Maypole on the Capitol Square, at its bare root climbing young men. Interestingly, the maypole is called in some areas also Marienbaum, because among the Germanic cult of tree was in close contact with the Earth Mother.

According to a report from the Eifel occurred in many places in the 13th century in place of the Maypole a "Christian " Pentecost tree. In Thuringia a "Maywood " is set at Pentecost in many places.

Only in 1224 is again documented in Aachen according to a report by Caesarius of Heisterbach first time a maypole. This is followed by a report on a well-maintained since 1520 in Franconia and Swabia custom of the Maypole erection in the village square. Dating back to 1531, a bill for a Maypole in Bavaria, 1550 followed by the first picture of a maypole. , Customs

In Austria it is first mentioned in 1466 - however temporarily banned in the 17th century.

Decked out in its present form with high belassener green tip and ring of the Maibaum is known since the 16th century, but also in other functions: as a fair tree, as an honorary Maypole for individuals or as hung with prices climbing pole. Since the 19th century it was (especially in Bavaria) on as a local maypole for the communities now self-employed ( as a symbol of their self- consciousness). Around the Maypole, however, has evolved very much local customs over time, which in many cases to village differs significantly even from village.

In the Romantic ( 19th century ) of the Maypole was often interpreted as cultic "giant phallus ", which should provide as a fertility symbol for rich harvests. Today, hardly a folklorist speaks more of these " origins " which so can not be detected.

It is also unclear whether the Maypole first appeared in its present form in cities or in the countryside. It is fairly undisputed that it was not an agrarian peasant cult, but rather common folk customs. When he showed up in cities, was more the chance that this was documented in writing - on the land, however, this tradition mostly of relatively loosely bound bachelor groups ( Geloog, lined, fraternity, bachelor club ) was obtained, which were often less educated in earlier centuries and was less reported accordingly on the.

Related to the maypole is the midsummer tree in Sweden.

Central Europe Concert band Bergisches Land Bilstein (Vogelsberg) Badge of shame Mostviertel Harvester (forestry) Liberty pole

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