Once again, strange happenings outside my living room window. By now I have learned that when I hear prolonged piping of fife and drum, I really outta check out the commotion. Today was no exception. There was a big spectacle. Since I didn’t know that anything was planned for today, I was basically clueless as I observed the festivities. So, let’s see if I can piece this together now.
Today was the “Die Drei Ehrengesellschaften Kleinbasels” Basically speaking each house of Klein Basel has a mascot and together they all march through Klein Basel. While marching through the streets they stop to pause and engage in dances. There are also four Ueli (jesters) that jump about shaking beer mugs to entice the onlookers to give them change. In turn, the money is given to charities in Klein Basel. There are lots of other details that you can find here: Vogel Gryff
Overall a very cool and jovial experience... just ask this guy!
The procession begins with children carrying colorful lanterns
then, flag bearers from the three houses of Klein Basel
The mascots are close behind. Here you can just see "Greifen" and Rebhaus is in the foreground.
followed by the music: first Fife players, then the drums.
Lastly, for everyone who made it this far.... a video of the action! (BTW: The video is more for the music ...since lighting was pretty poor)
It just so happens that there is a music school about two blocks away from my place. Occasionally at night, between 8 and 10pm I hear this strange sound in the distance becoming louder. By the time it is outside my windows I can tell that it is a fife and drum marching band. I'm pretty sure that this is the school is the starting place of many a late night (perhaps somewhat intoxicated) march. However, I can't be too sure, because just the other day and without any known reason I also saw an impromptu marching band walking Clara Platz...one of the major shopping streets.... busy with trams...and apparently fife and drum marching bands. In moments like these I am not sure if I will ever become "adjusted" to the Swiss way of life. Either way, I'm pretty sure that I'll enjoy my time standing on the sidelines in wonder and disbelief. In fact, it is the wonder and disbelief that keeps me from becoming annoyed when they are marching around at night. I always think "this cannot be happening, there is just no way this is happening... it's not the 18th century or something... I must be hearing things..." Yet now I am sure when I begin to hear the distant music of exactly what is to come, though I still can't believe it is actually happening.
Here's what Drum and Fife UK has to say about it: Fifes were adopted as a military tool by the Swiss in the 14th century. The shrill tones could cut through the noise of battle to relay messages to troops spread over a wide area. A fife is extremely portable and yet it can be heard over a distance of several miles. Use of the fife as a military instrument was probably spread by Swiss mercenaries who traveled and fought in battles throughout Europe. Dutch armies would have used fifes in the 1600s, although the British army didn’t adopt the use of military music until the beginning of the 18th century. Historians have uncovered fife and drum calls for all aspects of a soldier’s day, from reveille to lights out, and everything in between, but it was also used on long marches to relieve boredom, to motivate and to bring thoughts of home.
