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| Figure 1: Danish woman covered in cinnamon as part of traditional Pebersvend tradition (Source: Twitter) |
As previously discussed on this blog family is a cultural universal. Every cultural group has specific definitions and rules surrounding family and familial relationships. With this comes the expectation that individuals, upon reaching the appropriate age, will leave their birth family and start their own family, which is where today’s blog post is relevant. There are various cultural norms, values, beliefs, and traditions when it comes to enabling single individuals to begin their search for their own family, but some are far more successful than others, thereby requiring assistance from others within their cultural group. This blog post addresses one such cultural aid that happens in Denmark: the Pebersvend tradition.
The Pebersvend tradition hails back several centuries to the original spice trades in Denmark. Beginning in the 16th century the Danish government had a very tight control on the importation of spices, and government officials, specifically men known as Pebersvends, were designated agents who would travel across Denmark selling spices. There were very strict rules attached to this very important official duty, including the requirement not to marry. If a Pebersvend were to marry he would be released from his occupational duties because it was improper for a man to not be home with his spouse and family.
Today, the occupation of being a traveling spice salesman no longer exists, but the term Pebersvend continues. No longer referencing single salesmen it now refers to any single, unmarried individuals who are at least 25 years of age. If a man is identified as a Pebersvend (or woman identified as a Pebermø, "pepper maiden”) then they can be subject to a birthday rite of passage that marks not only their age but also their single, unmarried status. This involves single, unmarried men and women being tied to a lamp post and covered in cinnamon by friends and family members (Figure 1). Depending on how much cinnamon is used and how mischievous the friends and family are the hapless victim may be allowed to wear googles or other clothing and eye protectants. Also, water may splashed on the individual as a means of binding the cinnamon to their body. If the cinnamoned individual remains unmarried by the time they reach age 30 the rite of passage escalates. This time the individual is not doused in cinnamon but instead pepper, and eggs may be used as a binding agent. As a birthday present they are gifted a pepper grinder, and a large pepper grinder statue, meant to represent a phallus, may be built in their front yard.
None of this is meant to cause undue harm or stress to the single, unmarried individuals. This tradition continues on as a fun and playful prank. As the average Dane marries in the early to mid-30s no one actually expects Danes to be married before their 25th or 30th birthdays. Also, each time an individual is doused in the spice they are typically treated to a drink at a nearby pub. Ultimately, though, this tradition demonstrates the long standing cultural values of Danish culture, as well as its rich cultural history that adapts and changes throughout the ages.
Works Cited
Dodgson, Lindsay. "If you're still single at 25 in Denmark, people throw spices all over you in the street - and it only gets worse as you get older." Business Insider 18 February 2018. Electronic.
Rummel, Rachel. "Pebersvend." 2022. Gastro Obscura. Electronic. 20 May 2022.
7 comments:
I never knew about this, even though they don't think anyone was going to get married, and still put the cinnamon on them is different. Do they think that's going to help them find a significant other?
I cannot say if people involved in this ritual truly believe that it will initiate a marriage proposal. Rituals exist in every cultural group, and their motivations and reasons for being practiced may be long forgotten to many but continue on nonetheless because of tradition. You may want to consider some rituals and traditions that you continue but may not know the specific purpose behind them.
I think this is a great tradition that I hope is still being done today. Here in American if you are single and unmarried by either 25 or 30 you are always asked “when are you going to get married?” or “hurry up you’re not getting any younger”. It is great to see that there is a playful and wholesome sore of check in with the Danish community. Especially with most Dane getting married in their mid-30s it’s a good-natured tradition for the family, friends, and single person to endure.
Some traditions are rather questionable than interesting. Putting cinnamon on the pebersvend people was symbolic for the unmarried. However it most likely didn’t increase their chances of getting wedded.
The cultural significance tied to marriage will never fail to astound me. Why do so many people all over the world feel like getting married is an essential part of your life? I know this tradition isn't meant to be harmful, but it does kind of seem like it would place pressure on people to get married more quickly, and some people don't want to get married so soon or at all. I do wonder though, of all spices, why cinnamon?
It is interesting to see how certain traditions stick around for centuries. IT was also neat to learn that being a spice merchant meant no marriage and translated to pranking single/unmarried friends and family with cinnamon or pepper. Renn Bullard
I read this article and became very interested in the Danish tradition of Pebersvend. The fact that this tradition, which stems from Denmark's ancient spice trading history, now remains a unique and humorous ritual for unmarried people over the age of 25, is a good example of how culture can change form over time.
This ritual, in which one is sprinkled with cinnamon when one turns 25 and with more pepper and eggs when one turns 30, is more than just a prank; it is also a kind of humor that relieves the pressure of being unmarried. It is also interesting to note that in Denmark, it is common to get married in one's early 30s, so this ritual is accepted as a cultural pleasure rather than a pressure. The fact that these unique traditions continue to this day is a reminder of Denmark's flexible cultural values and its enjoyment of change.
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