September 21, 2006: Spanish Antzar Eguna festival: decapitate the goose

Undertoad · 09-21-2006, 11:33 AM

From the Sydney Morning Herald comes this item, with which we continue the weird festival IotDs. The official caption:

Quote:

As part of the Basque San Antolin festival, a contestant in the "Antzar Eguna" (Day of the Geese) competition attempts to decapitate a dead goose. The animal is suspended from a rope in the middle of the harbour and contestants have to hold onto the goose for as long as possible while being dunked in the sea by onshore spectators raising and lowering the rope.

Googling around for "Antzar Eguna" turned up a bit more information. Turns out, in another part of this festival, they try to decapitate the dead goose while on horseback.

Also turns out, until a few decades ago, the geese were alive during these competitions.

ThinkSpain:

Quote:

The Day of the Geese contest has been held during the San Antolín festival since 1877, being held previously either during the San Roque or Andra Mari festival in August. Whereas the contest used to be held in the town's main square, it has been held over water since 1722. Apparently, it is traditional to settle any dispute about the winner with a rowing race round San Nicolás island out in the middle of Lekeitio bay.

Pull the heads off a few geese and then row around the bay. Okay. It would appear that some of these festivals are better than others.

Elspode · 09-21-2006, 04:42 PM

Here's a bumper sticker idea for this festival.

"¡Toque la bocina si usted adora decapitar los gansos!"

xoxoxoBruce · 09-21-2006, 05:27 PM

The Sydney Morning Herald Snapshots gallery for the 21st has a 2.5 million dollar bra.

milkfish · 09-21-2006, 05:55 PM

There's a special place in Hell for those who make sport with inoffensive dead critters, imho.

Quote:

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

The Sydney Morning Herald Snapshots gallery for the 21st has a 2.5 million dollar bra.

Here. It doesn't seem to have much thermal insulation, so one might want to wear something else when the weather turns nippy.

Crimson Ghost · 09-22-2006, 12:36 AM

Oh, I thought this thread had to do with Anthony Edwards or Steve Bisley.

magilla · 09-22-2006, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milkfish

There's a special place in Hell for those who make sport with inoffensive dead critters, imho.

Here. It doesn't seem to have much thermal insulation, so one might want to wear something else when the weather turns nippy.

It doesn't even look comfy. Look at those pointy tips pressing into her chest.

Chris

capnhowdy · 09-22-2006, 07:16 PM

Hell with the spaniards. sheesh.

Sundae · 09-27-2006, 12:18 PM

At least the geese are dead - there are still blood fiestas in Spain where live chickens are used. They've only recently stopped throwing goats and donkeys from high places....

But then if you're pro-bullfighting I suppose it would be hypocritical to deny villagers the pleasure of their own kill.

09-21-2006, 04:42 PM	#2
Elspode When Do I Get Virtual Unreality? Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Raytown, Missouri Posts: 12,719	Here's a bumper sticker idea for this festival. "¡Toque la bocina si usted adora decapitar los gansos!" __________________ "To those of you who are wearing ties, I think my dad would appreciate it if you took them off." - Robert Moog

09-21-2006, 05:27 PM	#3
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	The Sydney Morning Herald Snapshots gallery for the 21st has a 2.5 million dollar bra. __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

09-22-2006, 12:36 AM	#5
Crimson Ghost Larger than life and twice as ugly. Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 5,264	Oh, I thought this thread had to do with Anthony Edwards or Steve Bisley. __________________ We must all go through a rite of passage. It must be physical, it must be painful, and it must leave a mark. I have no knowledge of the events which you are describing, and if I did have knowledge of them, I would be unable to discuss them with you now or at any future period. Don't waste your time always searching for those wasted years

09-22-2006, 07:16 PM	#7
capnhowdy Blatantly Homosapien Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 6,200	Hell with the spaniards. sheesh. __________________ Please type slowly. I can't read very fast............... and no holy water, please.

09-27-2006, 12:18 PM	#8
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	At least the geese are dead - there are still blood fiestas in Spain where live chickens are used. They've only recently stopped throwing goats and donkeys from high places.... But then if you're pro-bullfighting I suppose it would be hypocritical to deny villagers the pleasure of their own kill. __________________ Life's hard you know, so strike a pose on a Cadillac Last edited by Sundae; 09-27-2006 at 12:22 PM.

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