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Monday, November 2, 2020

Bauernfest - Farmers' Party

 


This past "Late Summer",  
we went for a little trip into the countryside.
Past meadows with the typical "Hey-Balls",
 food for cattle over a long coming Winter.
From far off we heard music. There was a party in full swing.
Of course we joined the people of surrounding Villages.



A young lady acted as the "Traffic Cop"


Two young girls supervised the "Roasting of the Pig".


Under Sunshine the folk of several surrounding Villages 
had gathered.


Waltzes and Polkas came from the band stand.
And what an interesting band it was:
5 Accordions ( count them )
3 Guitars
and this, obviously home made rhythm instrument ( see below ),
made for some swinging music.



Atop a sturdy stick, a hand-carved devil's head, crowned by real antlers of a male deer,
just below, a short crossbar  equipped with a series of bells,
below that again a coat hanger of dubious purpose.
Then a tambourine  and further down, a frying pan.
Four strings stretched  along this contraption.
The player is equipped with a sturdy drum stick
and the whole devil's instrument gave off a series of frightening (?) sounds
and a never ending rhythm.

Naturally there was a sensitive microphone
to make sure nobody missed a single note
produced by this very dexterous player.
To be sure, an instrument, the likes of which I had never seen before 
and probably will never see again.


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