Sup Peiter
Sup Peiter is a Westhofen custom that dates back to the early Middle Ages and has survived to this day. It goes back to the Germanic court hearings, the Things . The name is probably derived from the Christian festival of Petri chair celebration on February 22nd. Sup Peiter traditionally takes place on the Saturday after this date. In Westhofen it is considered the highest festival for men.
origin
According to an explanation in the online offer of the city of Schwerte, the Sup Peiter was originally a small thing . This marked the end of winter on the Germanic courts from which Westhofen arose. It took place eight weeks after the winter solstice on February 22nd, Odin's or Wotan day . At the thing a new elder (or chief) was elected and minor crimes were tried. According to information on the website of the Heimatverein Reichshof Westhofen eV, after the Christianization by Charlemagne , who elevated Westhofen to the status of a Reichshof , the Sup Peiter took place on the feast day of Petri chair celebration, which probably also gave it its name.
Neighborhoods
The Sup Peiter is carried out by the Westhofen neighborhoods , which are also responsible for the Schnadegang . The Westhofen neighborhoods Ostenpote (Aostenporte), Westeneicken and Niederste (Niedersche) go back to the three gates of the Reichshof Westhofen. The eastern, western and lowest gates were each defended by a neighborhood. Until Westhofen lost the right to elect its own mayor in 1734 , each neighborhood provided three Chühr gentlemen, electors, who elected the mayor. Today, every neighborhood has a chief judge, usually several judges and accusers, who have the task of heating up the wrongdoers in the truest sense of the word.
procedure
A few days beforehand, town criminals were walking through the city with cutters , lanterns and drums, announcing the event. At the Sup Peiter, the neighborhoods gather for themselves to hold court and accept new members. Traditionally, only married men take part. Only Low German is spoken ; if you don't speak the language, an interpreter will be provided. In addition to the members of the neighborhood, guests are often invited, such as the mayor of Schwerter , who is also being held in court. The accused and also every new neighbor have to sit in front of the Schräpper and in front of a hot stove that symbolically replaces the old thing fire. There he is confronted with his atrocities or other events from the last year, which Schräpper comments on with ridicule and humor. The amount of the penalty depends, among other things, on the quick-wittedness and eloquence of the accused, who is allowed to defend himself as best he can. Only when the offender has sweated enough and is ready to buy himself free with an appropriate amount of money can he get up from the stove. A new member is then accepted into the community. At the Sup Peiter the births, weddings and deaths of the last year are also announced, earlier the limit distances were also redefined.
meaning
While Sup Peiter originally also had a serious and educational character, today the focus is on having fun and celebrating together, with lots of beer flowing and the Westphalian national dish Pfefferpotthast being served. The Schräpper also has the opportunity in his accusations to comment on local politics and the events of the last year in a witty and snappy manner, similar to the hand-made speeches of the Carnival . Although the tradition of Sup Peiter has existed for more than 1200 years, its future is uncertain, as there is a lack of young men and Low German as the language of Sup Peiter is hardly mastered by the younger generation.
literature
- H. Kraas: "Sup-Peiter" in Westhuowen - From the neighborhood system in the old "Freedom" Westhofen , in: Der Märker, regional journal for the area of the former Grafschaft Mark and the Märkische Kreis , publisher: Märkischer Kreis, the district administrator , 9th year of February / issue 2, 1960, pp. 34-36 ( ISSN 0024-9661 ), digitally from Heimatverein Reichshof Westhofen eV
Web links
- "Sup-Peiter" - the highest holiday of the "Reichs Freiheit Westhofen" , description of Sup Peiter with pictures, town of Schwerte
- The “neighborhoods” in Westhofen , town of Schwerte
Individual evidence
- ↑ Archived copy ( Memento of the original from March 10, 2006 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. , accessed June 18, 2011
- ↑ http://www.reichshof-westhofen.de/sup_peiter.html , accessed on June 18, 2011
