Not the best photo, but my eyes have been all blurry,... and I do hope it tells a story.
Today our nephew and godchild D. started his journeyman years (Walz / Wanderjahre) after completing apprenticeship as a carpenter. He is on the right, the compagnion on the left is on the walz for some time, and will get D. into the groove (so to say). D. is the first journeyman from the Central Switzerland Region, in many decades.
After some festivities, speeches, hugs and more things difficult to explain, as they have medieval origin, they left around noon his home village at the village sign, not allowed turning for beckoning to us and not allowed to come back for 3! years and one day. He is also “banned” for 50 km around this town (means the greatest part of Switzerland). And he is not allowed to carry a mobile phone. So reaching out for him will be difficult, still it would be allowed and possible to meet him outside this spell. He is heading for North Germany by tramping, as it is not allowed to spend money for transport. Some 300 rules,…all with medieval background to get from a journeyman to master, seeming strange for our modern times.
But I understand it is a great thing for him!
And we wish him the best of luck on his journeyman years.
What a fascinating story and a poignant photo. I pray for his safety as he walks around and hope that he learns so very much. Helps to explain the origin of the term journeyman.
This is truly storytelling, and how wonderful an experience although harder for those staying home. I love the sense of embarking on a journey, the curved lines on each side. Wishing him well!
Your photo calls to mind images of the Australian swagmen eulogized in Banjo Paterson's Waltzing Matilda: https://genius.com/A-b-banjo-paterson-waltzing-matilda-lyrics. (NB there is one site that attributes the lyrics to Andre Rieux but not true at all!).
I suspect the word Waltzing is an Australianized version of Walz. Men travelled around the country with their swags or 'Matildas' doing work on farms and outback stations. It was especially prevalent during the Depression years here.
Your nephew may be interested in the linkages. If you can catch up with him, that is.
I had to look this up with the link you gave - thanks. It's an amazing act that is being used still in today's modern technology - at times i think all young people should do this!! A fantastic learning experience. I do wonder if Suzanne's @ankers70 comments about our waltzing matilda (yes I'm an Aussie) has any connection to your tradition. And a lovely image from you too :)
@ankers70@gilbertwood You are right, this is the thing,...
According to Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waltzing_Matilda
Waltzing
derived from the German term auf der Walz, which means to travel while working as a craftsman and learn new techniques from other masters.
Matilda
a romantic term for a swagman's bundle. See below, "Waltzing Matilda".
Waltzing Matilda
from the above terms, "to waltz Matilda" is to travel with a swag, that is, with all one's belongings on one's back wrapped in a blanket or cloth. The exact origins of the term "Matilda" are disputed; one fanciful derivation states that when swagmen met each other at their gatherings, there were rarely women to dance with. Nonetheless, they enjoyed a dance and so danced with their swags, which was given a woman's name. However, this appears to be influenced by the word "waltz", hence the introduction of dancing. It seems more likely that, as a swagman's only companion, the swag came to be personified as a woman.
@mona65 Thanks Mona - this 365 site is fantastic for connecting us around the world and learning so many new facts! Thanks for taking the time to inform us, and I love how we are all so closely connected but miles of oceans physically separate us :)
An awesome shot, definitely telling a story.
I am familiar with this because the town I live in is one of the 4 towns in Europe that have a Establishment for Journeymen. They have been around here since the early 2000s.
August 26th, 2021
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And here sung by Slim Dusty, another much loved Australian figure: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqtttbbYfSM.
And here's Eric Bogle singing about the song Waltzing Matilda: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnFzCmAyOp8
I suspect the word Waltzing is an Australianized version of Walz. Men travelled around the country with their swags or 'Matildas' doing work on farms and outback stations. It was especially prevalent during the Depression years here.
Your nephew may be interested in the linkages. If you can catch up with him, that is.
Thankyou for the lovely image and post.
According to Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waltzing_Matilda
Waltzing
derived from the German term auf der Walz, which means to travel while working as a craftsman and learn new techniques from other masters.
Matilda
a romantic term for a swagman's bundle. See below, "Waltzing Matilda".
Waltzing Matilda
from the above terms, "to waltz Matilda" is to travel with a swag, that is, with all one's belongings on one's back wrapped in a blanket or cloth. The exact origins of the term "Matilda" are disputed; one fanciful derivation states that when swagmen met each other at their gatherings, there were rarely women to dance with. Nonetheless, they enjoyed a dance and so danced with their swags, which was given a woman's name. However, this appears to be influenced by the word "waltz", hence the introduction of dancing. It seems more likely that, as a swagman's only companion, the swag came to be personified as a woman.
We are all connected in a way,...❤
Thank you all so much for your interest, your comments and well wishes on D's journey. Maybe, when you ever see one of those, with this kluft (dress), you know what he/she is doing, and maybe you think of my Dominik and have time for a chat, a drink or give him/her a lift. ❤
I am familiar with this because the town I live in is one of the 4 towns in Europe that have a Establishment for Journeymen. They have been around here since the early 2000s.