Scandal at the Klaasohm Festival: Borkumer Verein canceled violent custom!

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Nach Ermittlungen zur Klaasohm-Tradition auf Borkum: Staatsanwaltschaft stellt Verfahren wegen Übergriffen auf Frauen ein.
After investigations into the Klaasohm tradition on Borkum: the public prosecutor's office is establishing procedures for attacks on women. (Symbolbild/ANAG)

The public prosecutor's office Aurich has discontinued the investigation into possible attacks on women during the traditional Klaasohm festival on the North Sea island of Borkum. This became known on February 7, 2025 after the authorities had received 25 advertisements for dangerous bodily harm and punishment in office. The ads were based exclusively on media reports, since possible victims themselves did not report any crimes. A report by the ARD magazine "Panorama" about the Santa Claus in Klaasohm, in whose framework men beat women with cow horns, triggered outrage nationwide.

On December 5, 2024, the celebrations of the Klaasohm Festival took place, which were described as aggressive in critical reports. Borkumers had reported anonymously about attacks, while a team of journalists filmed, like costumed men, also known as Klaasohms, women with cow horns on their butt. These recordings were published on platforms such as YouTube and achieved over 400,000 views. The police urgently warn of such attacks and have announced a zero tolerance line, with women being encouraged to present criminal charges.

reactions to the incidents

As a result of public outrage, the organizers, the Borkumer Boys' Association, have announced to abolish the controversial custom of beating. In their explanation, the organizers emphasized that this custom had never identified the core of the festival and had hardly been practiced in recent years. Mayor Jürgen Akkermann also distanced himself from the incidents and described the reporting as tendentious. He pointed out that the island does not tolerate violence and this was not in accordance with the values ​​of the community.

  • Investigations set: public prosecutor's office Aurich
  • 25 ads, no affected
  • outrage about the custom of beating

The origin of this custom is seen in the history of whaling. Men returned to sea after long months and traditionally used to assert control in their home environment. However, these historically grown gender roles have no place in a modern context, as today's equality policy demands. The aim is to overcome gender -specific role ideas in society.

social context

An important challenge in today's society is overcoming gender -typical roles. Surveys show that there are still numerous traditional views of the distribution of family and gainful employment in society. Around 40 % of the respondents believe that women are better carers for small children, while about a quarter believe that certain tasks should rather be assigned to women. However, these social differences in the settings are not significant in the total population.

In view of the incidents at the Klaasohm Festival and the controversy about gender roles, it is essential to question such behavior patterns and to change the social language in order to advertise for equality and respect. The events on Borkum are therefore not only a local phenomenon, but also reflect deeper social issues that have to be increasingly needed on the agenda. As radioenneperuhr.de , the discussions about such customs are against the background of a changed perception of gender roles and responsibility in society.

The debate about the Klaasohm Festival and the associated attacks will show whether traditional behavior has space in a progressive society or whether a rethink is required. tagesschau.de emphasizes that a social discussion was started, which could possibly have extensive consequences for future celebrations and customs.

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