I decided to write about the frenzy of the Carnival in the Rheinland region where I live soon after I learnt about the event, but nothing prepared me for the title that I have given to the post itself, but as you must have guessed by now, the picture below in which my friend Daniel graciously modeled for me is the inspiration behind the title.
A little History.....
Like alot in the Rheinland, the origins of the Carnival can be traced back to the Romans. The word Carnival comes from the latin "Carne Vale" which literary means "Farewell Meat" and refers to the fasting period which follows the celebrations from December onwards.
While in earlier centuries various customs were observed during the carnival, the mordern form with its parties and Processions first emerged in the 19th century. There are many different aspects of the Carnival in Bonn, however I found the one I attended in Bonn Beuel, the most unique. Bonn Beuel, is a few kilometers away from Bonn, they are actually only separated by a bridge since they are on both sides of the Rhein (River).
I was made to understand that most of the butlers and other workers of the Princes in Cologne lived in Bonn Beuel, and their wives at the time washed the clothes of the Princes. As such, history has it that while the men were away in Cologne during one of the Carnival processions the wives sat in a pub, which was a bit unsual but they did it anyway, and after a few drinks, they began to talk about their lives and how their men treated them, because they were never home, and any time they were they were either completely drunk or picking on the innocent wives just because there was, -again like you must have guessed by now, "another woman"! Well, that gave birth to what they today call the "Wieberfastnacht", the day that they decided to have none of it anymore and they liberate themselves from the so called "Männer"(Men).
The event itself!
I took a couple of pictures from the carnival myself, but i judged this to be the best costume, even though this picture was taken in the Netherlands rather than Deutschland. As such the blog itself might have nothing to do with the title, but at least it will either appeal to your sense of humour or keep you wondering indeed, who the real Africans are, between Daniel and his acquaintances.
My highlights throughout the event were the costumes I must say, people wore anything, from cat suits, rabbit and bumble bee suits to men dressing as reverend sisters, ballerinas and monks etc, I did a double take when I saw Santa Claus having beer and cigars with the Pope! I thought it was creatively awesome. Most interesting though was the way they carried out their normal activities in the costumes without worrying at all, a colleague of mine from Hambourg here in Germany who was witnessing the event for the first time like me couldn't get over that and i was thinking... ???
My highlights throughout the event were the costumes I must say, people wore anything, from cat suits, rabbit and bumble bee suits to men dressing as reverend sisters, ballerinas and monks etc, I did a double take when I saw Santa Claus having beer and cigars with the Pope! I thought it was creatively awesome. Most interesting though was the way they carried out their normal activities in the costumes without worrying at all, a colleague of mine from Hambourg here in Germany who was witnessing the event for the first time like me couldn't get over that and i was thinking... ???
A little History.....
Like alot in the Rheinland, the origins of the Carnival can be traced back to the Romans. The word Carnival comes from the latin "Carne Vale" which literary means "Farewell Meat" and refers to the fasting period which follows the celebrations from December onwards.
While in earlier centuries various customs were observed during the carnival, the mordern form with its parties and Processions first emerged in the 19th century. There are many different aspects of the Carnival in Bonn, however I found the one I attended in Bonn Beuel, the most unique. Bonn Beuel, is a few kilometers away from Bonn, they are actually only separated by a bridge since they are on both sides of the Rhein (River).
I was made to understand that most of the butlers and other workers of the Princes in Cologne lived in Bonn Beuel, and their wives at the time washed the clothes of the Princes. As such, history has it that while the men were away in Cologne during one of the Carnival processions the wives sat in a pub, which was a bit unsual but they did it anyway, and after a few drinks, they began to talk about their lives and how their men treated them, because they were never home, and any time they were they were either completely drunk or picking on the innocent wives just because there was, -again like you must have guessed by now, "another woman"! Well, that gave birth to what they today call the "Wieberfastnacht", the day that they decided to have none of it anymore and they liberate themselves from the so called "Männer"(Men).
Well it all starts with colourful processions of different women committees and schools from the area, as well as other organised groups. They dress with a specific theme that they have chosen for that year, then they either process on floats or on foot with large containers of sweets, which they throw to the crowd as they squeal Kamelo! Kamelo! which means sweets. Almost everyone carries a bag or two and by the end of the procession they will all be bulging by the seems with a variety of sweets candies.
The community plunges into this party mood with the sole aim of emptying their storage and getting ready for the fasting period, so all the meat and other edibles are eaten up just so that the barn will be empty and only the basic food for fasting will be left. Although i cannot say for sure if the fasting aspect is for "real".
However, at the conclusion of the procession all citizens match to the Town hall, where the women collect the key to the administrative offices of the city and they take charge for that day. The whole drama is hilarious because they all dress in 16th century style garments and act out what was done 175 years ago.
However, at the conclusion of the procession all citizens match to the Town hall, where the women collect the key to the administrative offices of the city and they take charge for that day. The whole drama is hilarious because they all dress in 16th century style garments and act out what was done 175 years ago.
I interviewed a couple afterwards the Man had worn his costume for 40 years, he was dressed like a clown without the traditional red nose and the colored eyes but he hastily added that he deliberately left those out for the bigger carnival in Cologne. From the wife i discovered that as a sign of the liberation, the women cut the neck ties of their colleagues at work which is supposed to be a symbol of "male ego" and if the guy is lucky, he gets a kiss on the cheek! then the women pin the ties to their clothes and carry them round like trophies. The men actually feel embarrassed if nobody cuts their tie, but then i also found out that for the married men that is the way they get rid of the ties that their mother in laws give them at holidays or birthdays.
