Borkum's Klaasohm Festival Ends Ritual Violence Against Women

Following public backlash, organizers of the traditional Klaasohm festival have announced the removal of a practice involving physical aggression toward women.

• The Klaasohm festival, held annually on the German island of Borkum, has faced criticism for a tradition where men in costumes struck women with cow horns.
• The practice, rooted in historical rituals tied to seafaring and male dominance, has been condemned as outdated and harmful.
• Public outcry intensified after a report by the ARD program 'Panorama,' prompting widespread debate about the role of violence in cultural traditions.
• The organizing group, Verein Borkumer Jungens, has committed to abolishing the controversial aspect of the festival while preserving its broader traditions.
• Cultural anthropologists note that such rituals often evolve over time, reflecting changing societal values and pressures.

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