Traditional Bavarian Bandltanz around the Maypole

Every year, the Goldacher Buam host the traditional May Festival with the Bandltanz around the Maypole at the Alter Wirt in Goldach, a district of Hallbergmoos in the district of Freising. The Bandltanz is a traditional folk dance where young men and women dance around a decorated tree with long, colourful ribbons, with the “Burschen” and “Dirndl” creating different patterns on the trunk of the Maypole by walking and turning accordingly with the ribbons. The Bandltanz is still a very lively custom, especially in Bavarian and Alpine cultures. This centuries-old tradition is intended to welcome spring and also contains a lot of fertility symbolism as well as bonding and protection from evil, e.g. through the weaving of the ribbons.

A Bandltanz is performed by 6-12 couples. The couples march to the Maypole to march music and stand at regular intervals next to each other in a circle facing the Maypole. Then the ribbons tied to the tree are picked up and various figures are danced. The music for the Bandltanz is in ¾ time and is provided by the local brass band. Along with the usual litre mug of beer, a Steckerlfisch is a must – a fish such as trout, char or whitefish grilled on a stick over charcoal.