I saw a performance of a Schaffler dance (in German: Schäfflertanz) in the Munich area this week. The Schaffler dance is an old tradition in the southern parts of Germany that originated as a representative dance of coopers (barrel makers) in Munich. Originally, only unmarried, young coopers were allowed to participate. However, in recent years, these restrictions have relaxed. The dance involves a group of dancers in traditional costume making intricate figures symbolizing endurance of the Munich people through a great plague in 1517. The dance is only performed once every seven years.
