Students in Portugal wearing robes for praxe
As you enjoy that customary round of drinks at Impy this fresher’s week (or even something suitably alcohol-free), spare a thought for the rich heritage of fresher traditions that came before you – it’s longer than you would think.
Driven by upward trends in social mobility, the worldwide explosion of university education in the 20th century has seen fresher’s week become a global rite of passage, ever coupled with the morbid sight of watching your bank balance plummet. Whether they be public milking ceremonies or adoptions by older students, the traditions practiced today are a wild mix of the heartwarming and the unusual.
Medieval Portugal is said to wear the laurels for having the oldest fresher ritual known to time. Originating as a religious practice in sunny Coimbra in the 14th century, the custom that is now known as praxe involves the donning of trademark black capes that are said to have inspired those worn by the students of Hogwarts. Naturally, such a pious practice could never last: modern caloiros, or freshers, often undergo dangerous trials put to them by older students, which have included being forced to crawl through barns. As they progress through their course, students may proliferate badges and even spoons, which are proudly pinned to their robes.
Christmas sittning in Sweden
Perfect for the peckish, Swedish universities are famed for their sittnings – phone-free banquets – that extend well into the night and include renditions of Nordic songs and even theatre. For those seeking a more extreme return to pasture, freshers at UC Davis in the US are known to take part in public cow milking in preparation for their studies. Count your blessings, Exonians.
No foray into the weird world of fresher traditions would be complete without mentioning student adoptions. Scotland’s St. Andrews University boasts a unique custom of organising freshers into ‘families’ with senior students. The biggest event in the adoption calendar is known as Raisin Weekend, a two day ordeal which culminates in a shaving foam free-for-all on the college green. To enter, students will be required to present their ‘raisin reciept’ – a gift from their parents which has in the past included household furniture.
Would you rather wear your spoons with pride or be swept up by an overenthusiastic new family? Or better still, stick to the familiar comfort of Impy, among one of Exeter’s many great offerings.
