HORN BLOWING OVER WELL, CROWD (NATURAL SOF THROUGHOUT).




Initials GEM/V/BHH/OS



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Background: AN ANCIENT CUSTOM AIMED AT DRIVING AWAY THE EVIL SPIRITS THAT HAUNT THE DARK DAYS OF WINTER IS STILL CARRIED ON IN ONE DISTRICT OF HOLLAND, WHERE MID-WINTER HORN BLOWERS GATHER TO SOUND THEIR TUNEFUL WARNING TO THE DEMONS.

THE HORNBLOWING STARTS EVERY YEAR ON 29 NOVEMBER AND ENDS ON 6 JANUARY. THE HORNS MUST BE BLOWN NEAR, AND PREFERABLY RIGHT OVER, A WELL.

THIS YEAR, WITH THEIR PIPES, THE EXORCISING MUSICIANS WERE OUT IN THE WINTRY FIELDS AGAIN NEAR TWENTE, AS THEIR PREDECESSORS HAVE BEEN FOR CENTURIES.

IT TAKES ABOUT 20 HOURS OF PATIENT CRAFTSMANSHIP TO MAKE ONE OF THE 7-FEET (1.9 METRES) LONG HORNS FROM ALDER WOOD. IT'S A SKILL THAT'S BEEN HANDED DOWN FROM FATHER TO SON SINCE THE DAYS WHEN THE HORNS WERE USED AS A MEANS OF COMMUNICATION BETWEEN VILLAGES AS WELL AS FOR WARNING OFF EVIL SPIRITS.