Kiepenkerl

Kiepenkerle were called in Low German language area between Sauerland and Hamburg itinerant traders, who belonged to the traveling people. They brought food such as eggs, dairy products and poultry in the cities and in return supplied the rural areas with salt, news and other goods. German traders who crossed the border with the neighboring Netherlands in this form there were Kiepkerel, also called the North Kiepkerl.

The name is derived from the Kiepe, an existing wood and wicker back pack, with the migrated the Kiepenkerle through the villages and towns. Their traditional costume Kiepenkerle in Westphalia next to the Kiepe include a cap, whistle, blue cloth coat, walking stick and wooden shoes. Among them were not only men but also women like Kiepenlisettken from Schalksmuehle.

Today the Kiepenkerle play a role, especially in the context of folklore and tourism, for example, as a city or museum guide. This practice is particularly widespread in Münster. Also, traditionally a Kiepe guy plays the role of Buern the Singspiel O Buer, wat kost serving Hei? , Which is an important part of Lambertus singing.

The Kiepe guy is one of the symbols of the city of Münster. In Kiepenkerl quarter him on Spiekerhof a monument was erected in 1896. This monument was in the Second World War a long time undamaged and therefore served the Nazis in 1944 as a template for a propaganda poster with the inscription "Still yet - Wi staoht almost ". After the destruction of a faithful copy was made, which was inaugurated in 1953 by Federal President Theodor Heuss. Another copy of this statue made ​​of stainless steel, created by Jeff Koons for the Skulptur.Projekte 1987, as an exhibit of the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden on the National Mall in Washington DC to see.

A local radio station in Coesfeld named Radio Kiepenkerl.