Pebersvend

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 16^th 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 25^th or 30^th 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.