Mid-winter traditons

There are some really cool things cultures come up with to get through the darker (literally in Northern Europe) times. Two winters ago, we lived in a more rural area (in a customised mobile home I'm proud to say; they label them with the slightly more romantic 'caravan' here) and we had the chance to hear the midwinterhoorn. It's a ghostly, lonely sort of sound, but somehow very fitting the long dark nights. If only because space on the internet appears to be unlimited (especially for Google) For those of you who don't subscribe to the Utnieuws studentenkrant I'll paste an article I wrote 2 years ago for lack of knowing how to make a cool link to it- or whatever. Feel free to skip ahead to the pictures of James.

'Echoes of winter: midwinterhoornblazen

If you spend time in the Twente area during the winter you may notice some odd sounds in the evenings. Among the cacophony of modern noise is a unique tone with roots in some of the earliest human societies in Europe. Is it a train whistle, canal boat horn, or a plaintive bird? Listen carefully after sunset in parts of Enschede and many villages in the region, and it is possible to hear the call of the midwinter horn, a handmade instrument traditionally sounded during the long winter evenings from November to early January. It is a primitive and raw sound whose story and traditions date far into the past.

Once common across the Netherlands and surrounding areas, the horns are heard today mainly in the Twente area, though similar instruments appear in the history of several Nordic and Germanic countries. The horns themselves are simple and elegant constructions made of wood and usually a meter or more in length. Scholars suggest that the earliest uses were to contact far off neighbors, drive away evil spirits or wild animals, or as a warning system in times of need. Though its true origins are unknown, the earliest written record in Dutch history appears in 1485. History shows several groups using the horns as warning systems, including Catholics hiding mass from state-sanctioned Protestantism and smugglers avoiding the law. Like many pagan traditions predating the arrival of Christianity, horn blowing was eventually incorporated into the rituals of the Church and became connected with the birth of Jesus.

Now linked with Christmas, horn blowing takes place between the first Sunday of Advent and ‘Epiphany’ or the arrival of the three kings in January. 17th and 18th century records show that horns were played all over the Netherlands but after 1800 the tradition remained only in Twente, mostly in the northeast region. Nearly lost in the interim, the practice was slowly revived after World War II and grew in popularity in the 1970s. Players testify to the difficulty of mastering this ancient instrument; most people can make only four tones, very good players can attain seven or eight. Often played over a well opening to resonate the tones, the instruments are played like a trumpet without valves, with each player having his or her own mouthpiece. Demonstrations, contests, and workshops on how to build and play the horns are held in many locations in the area.'

Other notable traditions here are FREE postage for christmas cards, which I think is very cool, and Sinterklaasgedichten which are traditional poems that accompany gifts (usually on Dec. 5). Basically you write a short couple of lines about the person you are responsible for giving something to (in the name of the Sint) and it is a chance to poke fun at the recipient. For example, the Sint ridiculed the fact that our bathroom is unfinished and our yard is dangerous because its full of construction trash- that sort of thing...

Without further ado-

James dressed up like the Sint:



Ghost tolerating James' attempts at provocation...



Restrained from touching the tree...




In other news, James was truly frustrated all last night with what turned out to be an ear infection and is now on his first run of antibiotics. November 16th was his first morning at daycare and he has had a cold or worse every day since...