- Name of sport (game): Fierljeppen/Polsstokverspringen
- Name in native language: Polsstokverspringen From Frisian language: Fierljeppen - the Frisian name fierljeppen came from the English "far leaping" (fier-far, ljeppen-leaping), which means "far jumping".
- Place of practice (continent, state, nation):
The Netherlands (especially Frisia, Utrecht region).
- History:
Because the Netherlands is largely below sea level or right on sea level, there are many waterways and canals. In the swamps of the Netherlands, the pole has been used to jump over watercourses for a long time. People often tried to jump over these canals using the pole.
The favourite entertainment, in the old days of, people living in the northern regions of Groningen and Friesland was collecting eggs of peewits. They were considered a delicacy. Often, to get them they had to overcome wide channels.
Brueghel's paintings already show the Dutch jumps through the canals. The first written certificates come from 1200.
Obviously, people were not satisfied only with jumping, so they started using longer and longer poles. Over time, it becomes an opportunity to compete in jumping above the canal with its use. That was the beginning of fierljeppen.
In the village of Baard (Frisia), on 24 August 1767, the first known official tournament took place, organized by the widow of Ype Gerbens, the local ruler. The competition was the result of bet, as reported by Leeuwarder Courant (the oldest daily newspaper in the Netherlands). Some sources claim that the year 1771 has been the official beginning of the competition.
In the 1930s, the sport competition was very similar to what it is nowadays. Official rules were established regarding the course of the competition, measurements and conditions of competition. Since 1956, regular competitions have been held in Friesland (all archive data with results are available on Polstokbond Holland (PHB) and Frysk Ljeppers Boun (FLB) websites.
The chairman of BFVW (Bond van Friese Vogelwachten) Sjoerd Span and Lykele Miedema the director of the Miedema factory, founded Fryske Ljeppers Kommisje (FLK) together with representatives of Vogelwacht, Winsum department. FLK consisted of members: Feije Broersma, Geert Dijkstra, Klaas Jepma and Sybren Bakker as well as Sjoerd Span and Lykele Miedema. Sjoerd Span became chairman. On August 10, 1957, De Fryske Ljeppers Kommisje (FLK) have organized the first official fierljep competition in Winsum under the guidance of BFVW. On 13 January 1960, the Association "Frysk Ljeppers Boun" was founded from the merger of FLK and Bond Voor Friese Polsstokverspringers - BVFP. On 28 June 1978, the statute was established in Winsum, and the last modification took place on 26 April 1988.
In 1957, the Friesland league was created, afterwords leagues in Utrecht and South Netherlands, and in the 1970s the first championship of the Netherlands took place.
In the German region of East Frisia, this sport is known as Pultstockspringen. Today it is primarily cultivated for entertainment or as an attraction for tourists, but there is still an official annual National Fierljepping Manifestation (NFM) in the Netherlands. The competition takes place between the clubs that deal with this sport.
Up to 1975, people jumped on wooden poles, with a maximum length of 10 meters, which were then replaced with aluminium poles with a maximum length of 12.5 meters, including the extension. In 2006, they were replaced with plastic poles with a maximum length of 13.25 m, which are stiffer and less bend. The plastic allows to jump further. The Dutch record was 19.40 m for 15 years, belonged to Aart de With from Benschop which has been beaten many times during the season, four jumpers in 2006 managed to break the record from 1991. The disadvantage of plastic is its poor resistance to point loads, which should be handled with poles carefully.
Foreign tourists who visited Friesland and watched this sport contributed to its popularity around the world. Currently, competitions are organised in other places, although at a lower level due to the smaller number of competitors and the lack of appropriate locations. - Description:
This sport is a kind of combination of long jump and pole vault. The goal is to jump over a water tank with a pole and land on the other bank. The competitor runs towards the canal with water, inserting the pole into the water, climbs up as high as possible, then to land as far as possible on the opposite sandy shore.
The pole is 8 to 13 meters (from 26 to 43 ft). At the end, there is a tile that prevents it from sinking into the mud at the bottom of the water tank.
The whole jump consists of several parts that can be trained separately: a short, fast run from a distance of about 20 m from the pole (polsstok), a jump in its direction and climbs up the top of the pole so that in the last phase, land on the sand, unless the competitor previously climbed insufficiently high, then he lands in the channel. Fierljeppen jumpers must be characterized by great strength and developed motor coordination, they must be able to concentrate and have a lot of perseverance.
Fierljeppen requires a lot of technical knowledge. To do and land a successful jump, you must be master in many different aspects. The pole must be placed at a suitable distance from the platform (in the case of deep water, it is placed closer because water resistance must be taken into account). Then make a short and quick sprint from 15 to 20 meters, grab the pole with both hands. Then you have to climb up the top of the pole as soon as possible because the higher you go, the more distance the player overcomes. However, be sure not to disturb the balance or trajectory. When the pole starts to move down on the opposite side, push back and turn the legs forward to maximize the momentum. Of course, a good landing is important to avoid injury.
The run-up is essential for a good jump. Its speed determines, among other things, how far you can put the pole in the water. Training of run-up is an important part of a practice as ,in addition to general basic training, run-up training is also necessary:
• the length of the run-up should be determined,
• Make sure that the consistency of preparations in all elements of the jump is maintained, which should be checked regularly.
The run-up length is different for each player. This is related to strength of leg, size and number of steps. The ultimate goal is to reach exactly at the end of the ramp without looking at the platform. Usually, the run starts with the strongest leg, making an odd number of steps: 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, etc. Warm-up starts with 3 initial runs. A measuring tape is placed next to the running way, which indicates fixed measuring points. Each of the runs is measured with a tape. The coach checks if the jumper ends the run in the right place. The jumper is looking only at the starting point, starting the run, then looking ahead at the endpoint. Training should be varied and cannot focus only on the run-up, because the exercise for a long time, causes fatigue, which affects the length of steps. In addition, in the start-up season, length of the entire run-up may change. This is due to increasing the strength and pace of the run-up. If the average step distance changes by + 1 cm, the total run-up distance increases, eg by 15 cm.
Jump is very complex. It becomes the transition from the run-up to climbing. Jump and grabbing the pole take place almost at the same time, followed by the simultaneous forwarding of the legs. The pole must be between both legs.
The jump must be made at right angles to the pole. When the altitude is too high, you lose strength and jump to the other side is not adequate.
Each player must locate his proper jump. Its purpose is to smoothly switch from the optimum speed of run-up to upward movement, without losing too much speed.
Gripping the pole with your hands should take place at least at eye level or slightly higher. This is important for a smooth transition from rushing to climbing.
The too high grip makes it difficult to pull up. If the grip is too low, this makes it difficult to climb gently.
Collaterally with raising your arms, extend your legs forward. At the same time, the head must be kept straight. In this way, the weight of the body and strength the speed of run-up from the flow are evenly distributed. Swinging also helps you climb higher on the pole and thus achieve a longer jump.
After grabbing the pole you have to lock your feet around it and pull up as high as possible. The hands can be moved up together or in rotation. Simultaneous shifting gives a calm style of climbing, but it costs more strength of the leg. Moving hands one by one gives a "wild style" of climbing, but it requires less leg strength. Right-handed jumpers surround the pole with their left foot. Left-handed jumpers surround the pole with their right foot. The climbing cycle consists of:
• Move your hand up while straightening your legs.
• Raising your knees and immediately blocking your feet on the pole.
• Straightening the legs.
It is possible to move from about 70 cm to 1 meter in one pull-up cycle. This, of course, depends on the height of the player.
The landing is one of the most difficult element. Partly because it is a complicated technique, and partly because it is the last section of the total jump.
The hardest part is when the landing begins and the pole is about 45 ° to the ground which is sand.
The competitor should take the pole as far as possible with stretch out arms and with both hands together. Then he throws the body forward, twisting it at the same time by 180 ° and bending upwards. If the whole operation is carried out correctly, then the whole speed and strength allow you to be pushed forward. - Current status:
sport practiced
Official competitions in the Netherlands are organized by: Polsstokbond Holland (PHB) and Frysk Ljeppers Boun (FLB). The National Sports Association - de Nederlandse Fierljepbond (NFB) is the organizer of the annual national-ranking competitions in which PHB and FLB athletes participate, as well as nationwide championships. The competition is held in the provinces of Friesland (Bergum, Buitenpost, It Heidenskip, IJlst, Joure and Winsum), Groningen (Grijpskerk), Utrecht (Jaarsveld, Linschoten, Polsbroekerdam, Zegveld, Haarzuilens and Kamerik) and Zuid-Holland (Vlist). The Dutch championships in Fierljeppen are held every year at the Grijpskerk Arena, from the 1930s.
The current Dutch record holders by category are:
• Veterans: 20.60 m (67 ft 7 inches), Theo van Kooten from Haastrecht, South Holland (31 July 2013, Linschoten).
• Seniors: 22.21 meters (72 feet 10 inches), Jaco de Groot from Woerden, Utrecht (12 August 2017, Zegveld).
• Juniors: 20.41 m (67 feet 0 inches), Joris de Jong from Dokkum, Friesland (9 August 2016, Dokkum); other sources give: 20.70 m; Erwin Timmerarends from Montfoort (August 15 2015, Zegveld);
• Boys: 19.81 meters; Reinier Overbeek from Benschop (July 30 2017, It Heidenskip)
• Women: 17.58 meters (57 feet 8 inches) Marrit van der Wal from It Heidenskip, Friesland (16 July 2016, Burgum)
• Girls: 16,57 meters; Marrit van der Wal with It Heidenskip in IJlst (17 August 2014, IJlst)
There are 532 registered active jumpers in the world; 190 of them are from the Netherlands.
The sports season runs from May to September. - Contacts:
Polsstokbond Holland - http://www.pbholland.com/
Frysk Ljeppers Boun - http://fierljeppen.frl/
Polsstokkerdam - http://polsstokkerdam.nl/
Polsstokclub Linschoten - http://polsstokclublinschoten.nl/
Nederlandse Fierljep Bond - http://www.nederlandsefierljepbond.nl/
Polsstokclub de Vlist - http://www.polsstokclubdevlist.nl/
Polsstokvereninging Jaarsveld - http://www.polsstokjaarsveld.nl/
B.K. Fierljrppen Hamont - http://www.fierljeppen.be/Frisian clubs:
Ljeppersklub Buitenpost - http://www.ljeppersklubbuitenpost.nl/
Fierljepferiening Drylts E.O. - http://www.fierljeppenijlst.nl/
Fierljeppen Heidenskip - http://www.fierljeppe.nl/
Fierljep Feriening Winsum e.o. - http://www.fierljeppenwinsum.frl/
Fierleppen in Grijpskerk - http://fierljeppeningrijpskerk.nl/
Fierljepvereniging De Lege Wâlden Joure - http://www.fierljeppenjoure.nl/ - Sources of information :
Video:
Fierljeppen - Canal vaulting in Holland - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YP32iWoqjnQ
Fierljeppen former Dutch record (woman) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QeMAMv6GaJQ
FIERLJEPPEN: Hoogtepunten NK Fierljeppen 2017 -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSiD92FbrFQ
Nationale Competitie Fierljeppen/Polsstokverspringen - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFRAtLJ4NnUSource of photos used in this article and gallery:
https://www.immaterieelerfgoed.nl/en/fierljeppen
https://dutchreview.com/culture/curious-dutch-sport-fierljeppen/
https://sideaction.com/sports-news/global-sports-that-are-totally-bonkers-fierljeppen/
https://www.natuurlijknoorden.nl/friesland/dagje-uit-friesland/fierljeppen-delfstrahuizen/
https://sport.nl/artikelen/2015/07/fierljeppen-een-echte-zomersport-1
https://www.offgridweb.com/transportation/fierljeppen-how-river-crossing-became-an-extreme-sport/
https://beweegteamsudwestfryslan.nl/activiteit/fierljeppen/
https://www.haarlemsweekblad.nl/lokaal/evenementen/843279/oudste-extreme-sport-van-nederland-komt-naar-haarlem-fierste-lj
https://balkstercourant.nl/regio/Demonstratie-Fierljeppen-op-nieuwe-schans-It-Heidenskip-27841609.html
https://www.jde.fr/sport/2022/08/12/fierljeppen-qu-est-ce-que-c-est
https://www.itdreamlan.nl/omgeving-lauwersmeer/34-fierljeppen-buitenpost-friesland/
https://m.catrinusvanderveen.nl/cat.php?catId=77942 - Gallery:
- Documents:
Heck_A_Uylings_P_2020_Fierljeppen_Pole_vaulting_for_distance_Physics_Education_554.pdf
- Name of sport (game): fingerhakeln
- Name in native language: fingerhakeln
- Place of practice (continent, state, nation):
Germany (Bavaria), Austria
- Description:
Finger hooking is an old Alpine strength sport that is mainly practiced in Bavaria and Austria. Two opponents sitting opposite each other at a table try to pull their opponent towards them by their finger. The expression “ripping someone off” also comes from this process. There are two known ways of hooking the fingers before the draw: either the players hook their index fingers together or a leather strap is used into which the middle fingers are hooked. In addition to physical strength, the most important thing is the right technique.
While pub disputes were supposedly settled in this way in the past, finger wrestling is now an organized sport with fixed rules. At tournaments and championships, participants compete against each other in different weight and age classes. The tournament is regulated by a referee, a chairman and two assessors. To be on the safe side, there is a so-called catcher behind each participant who provides safety support in case the opponents' entangled fingers become loose early. - Sources of information :
Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhTrgUY1hUsThe information contained in the article comes from the following sources:
https://www.chiemsee-alpenland.de/entdecken/region/bayerisch-unterwegs/bayerische-braeuche/fingerhakelnSource of photos used in this article and gallery:
https://www.jensvoegele.de/fingerhakeln-reportage/ - Gallery:
- Name of sport (game): Fiolet
- Name in native language: Fiolet
- Place of practice (continent, state, nation):
Valle d’Aosta, Italy: Allein, Aosta (Arpuilles), Avise, Charvensod, Etroubles, Gignod, La Salle, La Thuile, Morgex, Oyace, Saint-Christophe, Saint Rhémy en Bosses, Saint-Oyen and Sarre.
- History:
Fiolet, once known as baculot or fiollet, is both an individual and team sport in which players use a stick to hit a ball in flight. Similar to rebatta, fiolet originates from lippa, an ancient Italian folk game dating back to the 15th century. According to the player and traditional sports scholar Pierre Daudry, different variations of the game were referred to in Savoy as “ara, batonnet, baculot et fiolé.” The earliest recorded references to fiolet date back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It is said that, in the past, players would go to the forests of Quart, specifically the locality of Les Îles, to gather branches to make sticks for the game. However, these same branches were also used by tsan players to make their sticks, which created tensions over who would secure the best ones. In 1882, a municipal ordinance
in Aosta even banned games like “boules, paume, baculot et autres jeux” within the town due to the high risk of hitting passers-by. This even led to a written protest from baculot players, who were frustrated by the difficulty of sharing space with the soldiers training at the Piazza d'Armi di Aosta, who did not want to be injured by the fiolets being thrown around. The fiolet players, however, had good reason to protest. The Piazza d'Armi, then known as the Champ de Mars, was a large plateau between the Plot and the faubourg of Saint-Denis.
From the origins of the game, it was a traditional gathering spot for players in the valley, a true “Valdostan cradle of fiolet,” which was only later occupied by the military. The Champ de Mars was owned by the municipality and had been rented to Joseph Frassy with the stipulation that the spring and autumn baculot championships be held there. In fact, official baculot competitions continued to be held there until 1934, after which the regional competition moved to Aosta's Municipal Stadium in 1935. Another important turning point in the game’s history came in 1924 with the founding of the Aosta Sports Club, a multi-sport club with its own statute, management committee and people in charge of individual games. Within a year, the club appointed Joseph-Charles Farinet and René Fusinaz to draft the first
official regulations for the game of baculot, leading to the establishment of an organised championship. At the time, the game was often viewed through certain stereotypes, later challenged by scholars like Pierre Daudry and Richard Savoye. It was considered “cowardly,”
exclusively male and associated with older men who enjoyed a drink or two. However, some testimonies suggest that fiolet was regarded as an elite game, at least in the early 20th century. Lawyers, engineers and professionals of all kinds competed in it, including the mayor of Aosta himself, César Cabloz, who took part in a town challenge in 1900 (Francesia, 2002). In reality, fiolet is a team sport that promotes generational mixing and is enjoyed by both men and women. - Description:
Fiolet can be played both individually and in teams and requires just a few basic pieces of equipment: a smooth, rounded stone called a pira, a flattened oval ball known as the fiolet and a wooden bat, around 80-100 cm long, called an eima with a thick wooden end known as the maciocca, which is used to strike the fiolet.
The playing f ield is typically large, flat and triangular in shape, measuring at least 150 metres in length. On the ground, starting from the stone where the fiolet is hit, concentric semi-circles are marked every 15 metres with rope. The paline (rods marked with progressive numbers from 1 to 13) help track the points scored after each throw. The fiolet can be made of different materials. In the past, it was hand made exclusively from boxwood and then weighted with copper and brass nails. Today, it is typically cast from an alloy of aluminium and tin or Teflon plastic using moulds. T he basic objective is simple: to hit the ball - the fiolet – in the air with the maciocca, aiming to propel it as far as possible. Specifically, the player begins by placing the fiolet on the pira, which must be at least 20 centimetres off the ground. The maciocca is used to gently hit the f iolet, making it bounce into the air. It is then hit again in mid-air with full force to propel it as far as possible. The score is determined by the length of the strike, which is the distance from the stone to where the fiolet lands. One point is awarded for every 15 metres the fiolet travels.
- Current status:
Every year, numerous team competitions are held in Valle d'Aosta. The spring championship runs from March to the end of May, while the autumn tournament takes place from September to mid-October. Each team consists of five players who take turns hitting the ball or fiolet. Victory or defeat is determined by the total score achieved by each athlete, who has 30 attempts at their disposal.
The most prestigious and oldest competition in Valle d’Aosta is the Bâton d'Or (Golden Baton), a historic trophy organised since 1925, held every year on 1 May. This competition awards the title of Valle d’Aosta champion to both individual players and teams (in cate gories A, B, C and D for men, a category for women and A and B for juniors). The year 2024 was particularly special for f iolet in Valle d'Aosta, as the 100th anniversary of the Bâton d'Or was celebrated with a grand event at the regional fields of Brissogne, honouring the protagonists of this century-old competition. The Bâton d'Or was awarded to the player and team that managed to score the most points over 10 innings. The names of all past champions are engraved on the wooden trophy, and the winner keeps the bâton for one year, along with the title of Valle d’Aosta Champion of Fiolet.To commemorate the 100th anniversary of this prestigious trophy, a book edited by anthropologist Christiane Dunoyer from the “Rene Willien” Centre d'études Francoprovençales in Saint-Nicolas will be presented on 1 May 2025. This book will include interviews with all the living winners of the competition.
In addition to the famous Baton d'Or, there is also the “Valley Council Trophy,” held annually in mid-May. This competition is played individually over a distance of 20 innings and awards prizes in each of the categories.
In addition to these historical and important competitions, other events like the Junior Championships, the Youth Games and the Summer Masters are also currently held. The Summer Masters takes place in mid-summer and features the top 28 players in the region i.e. those with the highest average scores in the championship. The winner of this event earns the title of Summer Champion.
Female participation in fiolet has been steadily increasing in the region, with many young girls now competing in leagues reserved for women. For example, the junior category A team in the Avise section is made up entirely of women. Some women have also recently joined the ASD Fiolet Board as representatives of the sections in which they are members. The valley municipalities where fiolet is played include Allein, Aosta (Arpuilles), Avise, Charvensod, Etroubles, Gignod, La Salle, La Thuile, Morgex, Oyace, Saint-Christophe, Saint
Rhémy en Bosses, Saint-Oyen and Sarre. - Importance (for practitioners, communities etc.):
Fiolet is a traditional sport unique to the Valle d'Aosta region in Italy. Its importance lies in its cultural significance as a long-standing tradition that unites the people of the valley.
Cultural Heritage: Fiolet is one of the traditional sports of the Valle d'Aosta, with roots stretching back possibly to the late 19th century. It represents a piece of the region's unique cultural identity and heritage.
Community Bonding: Played as both an individual and team sport, Fiolet brings people together, fostering a sense of community and friendly competition.
Preservation of Tradition: The continued practice of Fiolet helps to keep local traditions alive and pass them on to younger generations.
Sporting Activity: It provides a recreational activity enjoyed by the people of the Valle d'Aosta, typically played in the spring in open fields.
Organized Sport: Fiolet has evolved from a pastime into a structured sport with its own rules, teams, and championships, highlighting its ongoing importance within the region. The first championship took place in 1953, and the winner of the final, held annually on May 1st in Brissogne, is awarded the "Batôn d'Or".
In summary, Fiolet is important to the Valle d'Aosta as a symbol of its cultural heritage, a means of community engagement, and a unique sporting tradition. - Contacts:
Association Valdôtaine Fiolet
F.E.N.T. - Fédérachon Esport de Nohtra Téra
Les Iles 1, 11020 Brissogne – Valle d’Aosta
Tel. +39 3293814128This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.fentvda.it - Sources of information :
Articles:
https://www.lovevda.it/en/culture/tradition/traditional-sports/fiolet
https://www.fentvda.it/associazioni-sportive/fiolet/Video:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/B8wMl9aOnf4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGAST7vH-0g
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZslXH1aAgso
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJGTbxgapVE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOjYsx8LR_Y
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2BJCjtejJoThe information contained in the article comes from the following sources:
Joà de Noutra Tera, Giochi tradizionali della Valle d’Aosta, F.E.N.T. - Fédérachon Esport de Nohtra TéraSource of photos used in this article and gallery:
Photos: Kazimierz Waluch - Gallery:
- Sources of information :
- Sources of information :
Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opKbELbJEQQ&list=PL9NYvjxBy6SOxm8UjvbqXmpBDsvJLDClw&index=2
- Name of sport (game): Glima
- Name in native language: Glima
- Place of practice (continent, state, nation):
Iceland
- Description:
Glima is played on grass outdoor and or a wooden floor indoor.
It is a standing up wrestling style with clothes. Wrestlers (men or women) wear specific clothes and a leather harness at the belt. This harness was introduced in 1905. Wrestlers start by gripping the harness with the hands. They are not allowed to lose this hold.
There are several weight and age categories. Techniques are done mainly with legs.The goal is to throw the opponent on any part of the body, from knees to the shoulders.
- Name of sport (game): Goose pulling (also called gander pulling, goose riding, pulling the goose or goose neck tearing)
- Name in native language: Ganstrekken in the Netherlands, Gansrijden in Belgium, Gänsereiten in Germany
- Place of practice (continent, state, nation):
Netherlands, Belgium, Germany
- History:
Goose pulling (also called gander pulling, goose riding, pulling the goose or goose neck tearing) was a blood sport practiced in parts of the Netherlands, Belgium, England, and North America from the 17th to the 19th centuries. It originated in the 12th century in Spain and was spread around Europe by the Spanish Third.
In El Carpio de Tajo (Spain) goose pulling is practised on every July 25th to celebrate the liberation (Reconquista) from the Arabs in 1141. Later, during the dictatorship of Franco, the use of live geese was prohibited by a new animal protection law. Instead of geese, ribbons tied to sticks were used, which the riders had to insert into metal rings. When democracy returned to Spain, the use of geese was again allowed.
Goose pulling in 19th-century West Virginia, as depicted by Frederic Remington (source:https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Goose_pulling#/overview)Goose pulling is attested in the Netherlands as early as the start of the 17th century; the poet Gerbrand Adriaensz Bredero referred to it in his 1622 poem Boerengeselschap ("Company of Peasants"), describing how a party of peasants going to a goose-pulling contest near Amsterdam end up in a brutal brawl, leading to the lesson that it is best for townspeople to stay away from peasant pleasures.
Although the use of live geese was banned in the Netherlands in the 1920s, the practice still arouses some controversy. In 2008 the Dutch Party for Animals (PvdD) proposed that it should be banned; the organisers, Folk Verein Gawstrèkkers Beeg, rejected the proposal, pointing out that there was no question of cruelty to animals because the geese were already dead.Belgian goose pulling is accompanied by an elaborate set of customs. The rider who succeeds in pulling off the goose's head is "crowned" as the "king" for one year and given a crown and mantle. At the end of his "king year" the ruling king has to treat his "subjects" to a feast of beer, drinks, cigars and bread pudding or sausages held either at his home or at a local pub. The kings compete with each other to become the "emperor". Children participate as well; in 2008, the children's goose pulling tournament in Lillo near Antwerp was won by a 14-year-old who won 390 euros and a trip to the Plopsaland theme park.
In Wattenscheid (Germany) it is believed that the custom was brought by Spanish soldiers who were stationed in 1598 and 1599 during the Eighty Years' War and later in the Thirty Years' War. In some other places of Germany it was forbidden.
The sport appears to have been relatively uncommon in Britain, as all references are to it as a curiosity practiced somewhere else. The 1771 Philip Parsons locates it in "Northern parts of England" and assumes it is unknown in Newmarket in Southern England.
In a satirical letter to Punch in 1845 it is regarded as a barbarous practice known only to the bloodthirsty Spaniards, like bull-fighting.
The serious work Observations on the popular antiquities of Great Britain, of 1849, calls it "Goose-riding" and says it has been "practiced in Derbyshire within the memory of persons now living", and that the antiquary Francis Douce (1757–1834) had a friend who remembered it "when young" in Edinburgh in Scotland.
From these references it would appear to have died out in Britain by the end of the 18th century.The Dutch settlers of North America brought it to their colony of New Netherland and from there it was transmitted to English-speaking Americans. Goose-pulling was taken up by those at the lower levels in American society,[3] though it could attract the interest of all social strata. In the pre-Civil War South, slaves and whites competed alongside each other in goose-pulling contests watched by "all who walk in the fashionable circles."[13] Charles Grandison Parsons described the course of one such contest held in Milledgeville, Georgia in the 1850s (Parsons, Charles Grandison (1855). Inside view of slavery: or A tour among the planters. John P. Jewett and Co. pp. 136–7).
The prizes of a goose-pulling contest were trivial – often the dead bird itself, other times contributions from the audience or rounds of drinks. The main draw of such contests for the spectators was the betting on the competitors, sometimes for money or more often for alcoholic drinks. One contemporary observer commented that "the whoopin', and hollerin', and screamin', and bettin', and excitement, beats all; there ain't hardly no sport equal to it." Goose-pulling contests were often held on Shrove Tuesday and Easter Monday, with competitors "engaged in this sport not just for its excitement but also to prove they were "real men," physically strong, brave, competitive and willing to take risks."
Unlike some other contemporary blood sports, goose pulling was often frowned upon. In New Amsterdam (modern New York) in 1656, Director General Pieter Stuyvesant issued ordinances against goose pulling, calling it "unprofitable, heathenish and pernicious." Many contemporary writers professed disgust at the sport; an anonymous reviewer in the Southern Literary Messenger, writing in 1836, described goose pulling as "a piece of unprincipled barbarity not infrequently practised in the South and West." William Gilmore Simms described it as "one of those sports which a cunning devil has contrived to gratify a human beast. It appeals to his skill, his agility, and strength; and is therefore in some degree grateful to his pride; but, as it exercises these qualities at the expense of his humanity, it is only a medium by which his better qualities are employed as agents for his worser nature." (Simms, William Gilmore (1852). As good as a comedy: or, The Tennesseean's story. A. Hart. p. 115.)
The sport was challenging, as the oiling of the goose's neck made it difficult to retain a grip on it, and the bird's flailing made it difficult to target in the first place. Sometimes the organisers would add an extra element of difficulty; one writer describing an event in the American South witnessed "a [man], with a long whip in hand ... stationed on a stump, about two rods [10 m / 32 ft] from the gander, with orders to strike the horse of the puller as he passed by." The reaction of the startled horse would make it even more difficult for the puller to grab the goose as he went by.
Goose-pulling largely died out in the United States after the Civil War, though it was still occasionally practised in parts of the South as late as the 1870s; a local newspaper in Osceola, Arkansas reported of an 1870s picnic that "after eats, gander-pulling was engaged in. Mr. W.P. Hale succeeded in pulling in twain the gander's breathing apparatus, after which dancing was resumed."A variant called "rooster pulling" has survived in New Mexico for some time. A rooster was buried in the sand up to its neck, and riders would try to pull it up as they rode past. This was later done with bottles buried in the sand.
- Description:
The sport involved fastening a live goose with a well-greased head to a rope or pole that was stretched across a road. A man riding on horseback at a full gallop would attempt to grab the bird by the neck in order to pull the head off. Sometimes a live hare was substituted.
- Current status:
It is still practiced today, using a dead goose, in parts of Belgium and in Grevenbicht in the Netherlands as part of Shrove Tuesday and in some towns in Germany as part of the Shrove Monday celebrations. It is referred to as Ganstrekken in the Netherlands, Gansrijden in Belgium and Gänsereiten in Germany using a dead goose that has been humanely killed by a veterinarian.
- Sources of information :
Edward Brooke-Hitching. Fox Tossing, Octopus Wrestling, and Other Forgotten Sports, Simon and Schuster, 2015
John Brand, Sir Henry Ellis, Halliwell-Phillipps, James Orchard (1849). Observations on the popular antiquities of Great Britain: chiefly illustrating the origin of our vulgar and provincial customs, ceremonies, and superstitions, Volume 2. London: Bohn, 1849
Elizabeth Hafkin Pleck, Celebrating the family: ethnicity, consumer culture, and family rituals. Harvard University Press, 2000Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=heZVmRXSP9s
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/4104903/goose-pulling-tradition-video/ - Gallery:
- Name of sport (game): Gouren
- Name in native language: Gouren
- Place of practice (continent, state, nation):
France (Brittany)
- History:
Gouren became a popular sport in the Middle Ages. It was mainly practised by peasants, even if some priests also practised it. Breton lords learned it and also had some champions who fought for them. During festivals the nobles could fight each other using their champions, it was sometimes a way to solve conflicts.
With the French revolution of 1789, gouren lost its notoriety. The lords could no longer organise festivals and the churchmen participated in the loss of notoriety. Speeches banished gouren and its use: "...all those who go to the fights of St Kadou will be nothing but thieves, debauched and rascals who will roast in hell...". (said in 1831). Gouren survives however thanks to peasants in some regions of Brittany. The sport then became a peasant game.
In the 19th century, several writers described gouren tournaments, and several drawings and paintings were also produced, showing the sport in all its different forms. The tournaments organised by the festival committees were meeting places for wrestlers. Wrestlers fought for honour, challenge, pleasure and the prestige of being the strongest man, but the prizes for the winners could be considerable: sometimes a simple handkerchief or a hat, but also a sheep, a bull or a sum of money.
With the First World War in 1914 many Bretons, and therefore wrestlers, died in the war. In addition, the cities became attractive, thus emptying the countryside, which had the effect of weakening this traditional sport.In 1930 Doctor Charles Cotonnec decided to create an organisation called FALSAB (Federation of Friends of Breton Wrestling and Athletic Sports) which would establish a set of rules. Each fight will be supervised by 3 referees and the fight will have a limited duration, depending on the age. Weight and age categories are also created. Other results than the "Lamm (perfect fall on both shoulder blades, ending the fight) were also created: the "Kostin" (fall on one shoulder blade) and the "Kein" (fall on the lower back), which made it possible to decide a winner at the end of a fight.
After that, the federation of gouren was finally created in 1980, it also allows to train wrestlers, referees and competition managers. With this, gouren also opened up to women. Since then, departmental, regional and European championships take place every year, as well as championships during summer festivals. - Description:
During the competitions, each wrestler will first weigh himself in his wrestling clothes. This is to check the outfit and whether the fingernails are cut short. Once all the wrestlers have been weighed, they are called to take the "wrestlers' oath". Wrestlers are called by category and placed to face each other. When everyone has been called the referee table says: "Prest Oc'h" which means "are you ready", the wrestlers then raise their right hand.
The oath of the wrestlers is then recited:
M’hen tou da c’houren gant lealded - I swear to fight in all loyalty
Hep trubarderez na taol fall ebet - Without treachery and without brutality
Evit ma enor ha hini ma bro - For my honour and that of my country
E testeni eus ma gwiriegez - As a testimony of my sincerity
Hag evit heul kiz vad ma zud koz - And to follow the custom of my ancestors
Kinnig a ran d’am c’henvreur ma dorn ha ma jod - I offer my hand and cheek to my opponentOnce the oath has been recited in French and Breton, the wrestlers will make "l'accolade" (which is an embrace) to the wrestler in front of them. The embrace is characterised by a handshake with the right hand, the left hand on the shoulder and the wrestlers kiss each other's cheek three times. After the oath all wrestlers can do what they want and will wait in different manners to be called to wrestle. Many will chat with other wrestlers (not necessarily from the same club), but also go and encourage their team members during the matches, or warm up before wrestling.
Once called to wrestle, one wrestler is given a red "Ruz" ankle bracelet and the other a green "Gwer" one. The three referees present check that all participants are ready, they also check that the wrestlers' belts are tightened, which has an influence on the fight. The three referees have three different roles:
● One referee will be the timekeeper, he will stop the clock when necessary
● One referee will be responsible for summarising the results
● One referee will sit at a table and record the wrestlers' scores and hand the score sheet to the main table that will announce the resultsThe three referees, although they have different roles, have equal decision-making power. They are also spread in a triangle across the mat in order to have an optimal visibility of the falls.
After the final checks, the Gouren combat will begin. After the summary referee says "Prest Oc'h" the wrestlers repeat the "accolade" to show that they are going to wrestle under the oath recited earlier. Once done, the referee says "Krogit" which means "You may Wrestle".The fight then begins, the goal being to bring down the opponent on both shoulder blades before any other part of the body. This result corresponds to the "Lamm", it is the perfect result and putting it directly ends the fight. Other results also exist in order to differentiate the wrestlers at the end of the fight: "Kostin" which is equivalent to a fall on one shoulder blade, "Kein" is equivalent to a fall on the lower back, "Netra" is equivalent to a fall giving no result.
At the end of a fight, the number of points that are given to a wrestler depends on the result of his technique. If the wrestler wins by Diviz (when there is no result) or by Kein he will gain 3 points, by Kostin 4 points, and by Lamm 6 points.
Each result in the fight has a specific rank.Therefore, one must put the same result to equalize or one must make a higher one to win. For example:
● The wrestler Gwer starts with a Kein, after which the wrestler Ruz puts a Kostin. If the match ends with these results the Ruz wrestler wins by Kostin.
● The wrestler Gwer starts the match and puts a Kein, after which the wrestler Ruz puts a Kostin. Wrestler Gwer finally puts a Kostin at the end of the time. The two Kostin cancel each other out, so Gwer wins by Kein.
● The wrestler Ruz gives 4 Kostin to the wrestler Gwer. Before the extra time, the wrestler Gwer puts on a Lamm. The match ends and the wrestler Gwer wins by Lamm.There is also an extra time called "Astenn" which is given when at the end of the regular time there has been no Kostin or Lamm. It is composed of half of the regulation time. Male adult fighters must therefore fight for 5 minutes + 2:30 minutes of overtime if there is no result. Female adult fighters must wrestle 4 minutes+ 2 minutes of overtime. There is a 30 second break before the overtime. This allows the wrestlers to drink a little and briefly talk to their coach who advises them on their wrestling or on the weaknesses of their opponents.
There are also penalties that can be added to this. If the wrestler deliberately falls down to avoid getting a result, or if he prevents his opponent from wrestling, he may be given a "Diwall" which means "warning". This Diwall does not give any points but if a second Diwall is given it becomes a "Fazi" which means a fault. A player who has taken a Fazi must at least put a Kostin to beat his opponent.
The Fazi can also be obtained if the wrestler tries to put his arm on the ground (which would influence the result but could also injure him) or if he insults or contests the referees' decision. When a wrestler has two fazi, it becomes a Poent ( which is equivalent to a Kostin, except in the case of a perfect tie between the two wrestlers where it is superior). And if the wrestler takes a third Fazi, it becomes a "Fazi Bras" translated by "Serious Fault" which excludes the wrestler from the fight.
Finally, if at the end of the match neither wrestler has made a result (Kein, Kostin, Lamm) there is a Diviz. The Diviz is a result that is decided by the referees. They decide among themselves which wrestler deserves to win. The choice is made if:
● One of the two wrestlers has attacked more than the other.
● One of the two wrestlers has committed a Diwall.
● One of the two wrestlers had a fall that was closest to a result.If neither wrestler can be separated, the "Kouezh" is set up. The goal is to make a hold that takes the opponent to the back. If the opponent falls on his buttocks but rolls onto his back, he has lost.
- Current status:
Gouren’s sports season is spread over two periods: the winter season, from November to May, includes training courses and approximately thirty indoor competitions on "pallennoù" (mats), and the summer season, from June to August, includes tournaments and outdoor exhibitions, generally on the traditional sawdust track, every weekend and often during festivals.
In 2020, the Gouren Federation had 1521 wrestlers, 28% of them being women. They are training in the 45 different schools called “Skol” (meaning schools in Breton) throughout Brittany.
Between its different components the federation hires 9 employees constantly, 7 of which being gouren teachers. In 2019, 10,000 people had been initiated to Gouren. - Contacts:
Fédération de Gouren
10, rue Saint Ernel
29800 Landerneau
Tel. 02 98 85 40 48
E-mail:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: https://www.gouren.bzh/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/federationdegouren/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/federationdegouren/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/fedegouren?lang=fr
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOOPeT25DJ91F76UCN1jdAA/featured - Sources of information :
Books:
Articles:
Video:
Technique de base:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KukXEwgvtrU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lBW4lpFP4w
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxqghYREpew
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIOKCUs5pAM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byCQ97b9P_M
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jfTrC8trhw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvGbIJV9ZV0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r02sCa8MUoE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1tlFbjC3ZE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeepLmucZ1k
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQHR8Lrrq7s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KF9FxAuCDUo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50sjzFcoEbgThe information contained in the article comes from the following sources:
https://www.gouren.bzh/Source of photos used in this article and gallery:
https://www.gouren.bzh/Pictures taken by Jean Paul Menou
Photos: Kazimierz Waluch, Traditional Sports
- Gallery: