Singing Songs and Drinking Beer

The man in the front of the dingy cellar room slammed a sword down onto the table before him. As his call for silencium echoed slightly through the crowed room, everyone opened up their song books and began to sing another Lied in German. After the first verse, we raised our glasses and drank. After the second, we did the same, and once again after the third verse, I prost-ed my neighbor and drank again. What in heaven's name was I doing here?

Although I wouldn't call myself a large supporter of the American university greek life scene, I do find it endlessly fascinating. Since coming to Germany, my interest has found a new home within the Studentenverbindungen here. Similar to our fraternities, the Verbindungen in Germany have a long history steaming from the beginning of German Universities in Prague, Vienna, and here in Heidelberg. The student body during these times were split up into sects called Burse that were defined by the regions from where the students came. Along with representing the interests of their particular regions, these Burse would also often have their own dorms and markers. Overtime, these sects morphed into formal groups and then secret orders in some cases. Each group developed their own traditions and signs for recognizing other members. During the 19th century, they lost a good deal of secrecy but still thrived. In particular, one practice, Mensur, or fencing between the various other brotherhoods, held strong. Today, many of the Verbindungen have held on to their traditions and are often classified by their Mensur practices. A schlagende Verbindung have compulsory ritual duels for all members. A fakultativ schlagende Verbindung also practices Mensur; however, participation in voluntary. Lastly the nichtschlagende Verbindungen no longer practice Mensur. Nowadays, the Verbindungen still receive a good bit of criticism for perpetuating and practicing racism, sexism, elitism, and extreme nationalism.

Now, I have no idea with which type I live, but I am assuming they are most likely a nichtschlagende Verbindung. Most of the guys are pretty laid back while still enjoying their traditions. From what I've been told, it is not a very traditional fraternity and they pride themselves on the diversity of their members. In any case, the Semesterkneipe I attended was extremely interesting. Everything was in German, and I happened to be sitting next to a man in his 60s or 70s. (For many of the Verbindungen, membership is lifelong). The event lasted maybe about four hours longs with brief breaks here and there. Beer flowed, presentations were given, jokes were told, guys were initiated, and songs were sung. I felt like Jane Goodall surrounded by a bunch of chimpanzees or a kid in a candy shop. Here I was in a Verbindung cellar drinking beer with a forty-year member and singing songs about immortality and brotherhood.

German Studentenverbindungen Kultur: check!