Paying Homage to a Founding Saint
Luxembourg Map http://www.infoplease.com/atlas/country/luxembourg.html
Abstract
The dancing procession of Echternach, in Eastern Luxembourg commemorates St. Willibrord, who founded hte town. The people who take part in the holiday celebration strengthen social bonds between one another through this unifying experience. It is also a way for the local people to express themselves nationally as well as religiously to the rest of the world through the celebration of their history.
Procession
http://www.luxembourg.co.uk/dancproc.html
Introduction
Saint Willibrord brought catholocism to the small town of Echternach Luxembourg, planting a religious seed which would grow to give the people of this region a unique identity. Each year, the townsfolk of Echternach gather in their traditional blue and white outfits to be led by their clergy to the basilica. The procession is a yearly event held in the springtime to commemorate St. Willibrord, Echternach's founding saint. The procession of clergy and townspeople make their rounds through the basilica to pay homage at the Saint's tomb. This takes place on the Tuesday after "Whitsuday", or the seventh Sunday after Easter. Afterward, a great celebration ensues, and everyone drinks in the streets long into the night. People travel to witness this celebration not only from Luxembourg, but from all over the world. I believe that the reason people take such pride in this occasion is because it is a means of national and religious expression. Because they come from such a small country, this celebration is an important way for them to celebrate their country's history. This ceremony demonstrates that the people of Echternach Luxembourg are unique not only to their European neighbors, but to the history of the Catholic Church.
Context of Luxembourg
The country of Luxembourg is located between Belgium (West), Germany (East), and France (South). Luxembourg generally has moderate temperatures, with mild winters and summers. The northern region is mountainous, due to the Ardennes which stretch into Belgium. Southern Luxembourg is farmed, and is part of a fertile region that extends into France. Many of the towns date bach hundreds of years, and are often centered around a church. Many of the buildings have been around for centuries and have a medieval feel to them (Figures 1, 2).
Luxembourg was originally inhabited by a Celtic people, and was later conquered by the Roman empire. It was once part of Charlemagne's empire, and developed into its own state in 963. It is roughly the size of Rhode Island, and is made of a predominantly Celtic blend of German and French people. Luxembourgish is the national language, and sounds like a mix between both French and German, which are also spoken widely throughout Luxembourg. The country has a stable economy, and provides banking services for many other countries, similar to the country of Switzerland.
Origins of the Procession of St. Willibrord
St. Willibrord is believed to have been born in November of the year 658, and lived until 739. He founded the Abbey which lies at the hear of the town of Echternach in 698. Legend had it that the commemorative procession began in the year 1347 as a way to end ward away evil, and has become a local tradition ever since. Over the years, the procession's purpose has shifted mainly to the remembrance of the towns founding saint.
Performance
During the ceremony, the towspeople are dressed in white button down shirts and blue pants. They are spaced out an arms length in lines side by side, each holding the end of a white handkerchief. They are then led by musicians dressed in the same outfits (primarily playing wind instruments ranging from flutes to tubas), and in front of them are the clergy of the church. They move in slow lines as wide as the street until they reach the church, and then break into single file lines to proceed to the Saint's Relics in the bottom of the church.
Artifact
Although no photos of the Saint's remains are permitted, Figure 4 is an illustration of what St. Willibrord is believed to have looked like:
St. Willibrord Illustration http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/saintw05.htm.
Another artifact used in the celebration would be the handkerchief connecting those in the procession above in figures 2 and 3.
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Interpretation
Prognosis for The Dancing Procession of Echternach
I don't believe that this celebration will lose popularity any time soon, as Catholicism is Luxembourg's most widely accepted religion (87%). Also, the town of Echternach has shown a steady increase in population (http://www.worldgazetteer.com/d/d_lu_ec.htm 2004). I was in Luxembourg in the summer of 2003 for a chamber music convention that was held the same week as the procession. There appeared to be many tourists walking the streets both before and after the holiday, enjoying the small shops and pubs that give Echternach an almost storybook quality.
Conclusion
In conclusion I believe that Echternach's Dancing Procession demonstrates a means of nationla as well as religious expression by way of celebrating the history of the people of Luxembourg. This is also a way for them to feel connected to one another, and strengthen the social bonds of the people who take part in the celebration.
Internet References Cited
2004 http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/lu.html
This site provides geographical information about Luxembourg.
2004 http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/basis/Alcuin-willibrord.html
This site is written by C.H. Talbot, and provides information about St. Willibrord's life.
2004 http://catholic-forum.com/saints.saintw05.htm
This site provided me with an image of St. Willibrord as well as information about his life.
2004 http://www.world-gazetteer.com/d/d_lu_ec.htm
This website is provided by the World Gazetteer, and shows Echternach's population increase.
Peer-Reviewed References Cited
2003 Annual Editions: Anthropology 03/04. Mcgraw-Hill/Dushkin, Guilford, Conneticut.
2002 Introducing Anthropology. Totem Books, Cambridge, U.K.
Petit, Joseph
Luxembourg, Yesterday and Today. P. Linden, Printer of the Grand Ducal Court, Luxembourg.
1997 New York Times. Pope joins 15,000 on Roman Holiday. 147 (15001): A16
Sapolsky, Robert
Why We Want Their Bodies Back. In Annual Editions: Anthropology 03/04.Elvio Angeloni, ed, pp. 170-173. Mcgraw-Hill/Dushkin, Guilford, Conneticut.
Turner, Victor and Edith Turner
1982 Religious Celebrations. In Celebration: Studies in Festivity and Ritual. Victor Turner, ed, pp. 201-219. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington.