Tonnenabschlagen Born a. Darß

A Tradition from Bodden Times

The Tonnenabschlagen is a North German tradition, primarily rooted in Fischland-Darß-Zingst and Rügen, with origins in the harvest time of old farming and fishing villages. In Born a. Darß, the custom is celebrated every year on the first Sunday in August — and has been part of UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in Germany since 2017. It is equally a riding tournament, village festival, and family afternoon.

How the Day Unfolds

As early as the morning, the reigning kings from the previous year are awakened by the Captain and the rider group with fanfares and trumpets. Afterwards, the Barrel King invites everyone to a festive breakfast. At midday, the decorated rider procession forms and rides to the festival grounds, where the actual spectacle begins. On the meadow, a wooden herring barrel — the 'Tonne' — hangs between two tall posts. Participants ride under it at a gallop in turns, striking the barrel with a wooden stick. The tradition is clearly regulated: The one who smashes the bottom of the barrel becomes Bottom King; the one who removes the last connecting staves becomes Stave King; the one who breaks off the last piece becomes Barrel King.

Folk Festival and Tonnenball

Surrounding the equestrian event is a classic folk festival with food stalls, drinks, a cake bazaar, and music. In the evening, the Tonnenball follows with live music and dancing, where the new kings are ceremoniously crowned. The festival is organized by the local Tonnenverein (Barrel Association) in close cooperation with the municipality of Born. Born a. Darß is located in the Vorpommern-Rügen district of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and is one of the most traditional villages in the Bodden landscape.