During carnival in Oeteldonk you see less and less traditional blue farmers’ souls. Black jackets with emblems take their place. But that should change, they think at the Oeteldonksche Club. Students from the Koning Willem I College were therefore commissioned: make a modern version of the Boerenkiel, so that everyone will wear it again.
“It is high time that the traditional blue Oeteldonkse Kiel returned to the streets,” says Joost van Keulen. As a Protocol of the Oeteldonksche Club, he sees it as his task to monitor and pass on traditions. This week Oeteldonk is celebrating its 143th anniversary, a festive week in which the Oeteldonk traditions are central.
But he sees that more and more partygoers wear a black jacket with emblems during carnival in Den Bosch instead of the traditional farmhouse. “The black jacket has come because mainly women do not feel completely at home in the farmhouse. It is a fairly male item of clothing, straightforward. I understand their choice, but I prefer to see an alternative that is inspired by the Boerenkiel.”
According to Van Keulen, the fact that the black jacket is becoming increasingly popular is also due to visitors from Buiten Oeteldonk. “In the past, some twenty years ago, people from outside Den Bosch often did not come to pubs without a keel. With a black jacket that will succeed, and moreover those jackets outside Den Bosch are much easier to get than a farmer’s knack.”
“I don’t know if it is practical to wear with carnival.”
To make the Kielkiel popular again, the Oeteldonksche Club asked students of the Koning Willem I College to do the Kielkiel ‘in a new one Jèske to cast ‘. Student Ot (18): “I think it’s a shame that everyone is wearing the same thing. When I heard that we were allowed to make our own variant, I immediately thought: yes, this will be fun.”
The 17-year-old Joany proudly points to the red-white-yellow sleeves of her feminine variant of the farmhouse. “The only thing that is the same as the Boerenkiel are the colors,” she says. “The Oeteldonk colors are in the sleeves and I have put diamonds on it, because I love glitter and glamor.”
OT turns her design on the mannequin and shows the deep V-neck, the skirt with large emblems and the wide puffed sleeves. “I don’t know if it is really practical to wear with carnival, but at least it is feminine,” she says laughing.
“Everyone makes his keel personally with emblems and decorations.”
But it’s not just about female jackets. There are also variants for men and children. This way everyone can choose a farmyle that suits him or her. “The farmer’s kiel is the symbol of equality. How beautiful it is when everyone goes back to the Boerenkiel in Den Bosch,” says Van Keulen.
The Brabantse Denzell, originally from Curaçao, made its own variant with bright colors and feathers. “I know carnival from Curaçao from cozy music, good food and good vibes. In Den Bosch that is completely different. For me it first felt a bit strange to make such a keel, so I just gave it my own twist, “he says. Yet his design still fits in with tradition.” Everyone makes his keel personally with emblems and decorations. I have incorporated a piece of myself into it. “
“The Oeteldonk youth increasingly opts for the Boerenkiel.”
On Saturday afternoon all modern kielen on the Parade were shown during a fashion show. In the end, the Oeteldonksche Club chooses one or more designs that will be hanging in the store later. “The Oeteldonk youth is increasingly opting for the traditional farmhouse to distinguish themselves from the ‘outsiders’. Of course we can only stimulate that.”
OT is looking forward to it: “I would find it very cool if thousands of people walk around in my design. But on the other hand, most people don’t know that I made it, so I think it’s especially fun for myself.”
This is why they wear farmers in Oeteldonk
In the past during carnival in Den Bosch everyone wore the same, so that rich and poor were the same. Everyone dressed as the lowest social class, the farmers. Farmers wore a sturdy, dark blue jacket over their normal clothing. This farmhouse was cheap, practical and easy to wear for everyone.
Conversely, it was not possible: the farmers could not afford the clothing of the rich elite. This is how the Boerenkiel was created in Den Bosch, a jacket with which everyone was the same and people could party together.