Author: Bergen Buekorps Museum.
A BUEKORPS (literally "Bow Corps" or "Archery Brigade") may, very superficially, be described as groups of boys who take to the streets of Bergen each spring and march to the beat of drums, flying their flags and showing their uniforms. They are a traditional and very popular feature of the Constitution Day celebrations in the City of Bergen on 17th May each year.
To understand how the BUEKORPS came to be, and why they have existed in their present form for almost a century-and-a-half, it is necessary to have a look at the history of Bergen itself: Up to the 1880´s most Norwegian towns, including Bergen, had their own Citizens´ Guards. This was a "Home Defense" force to be called upon in times of crisis, and they had weekly marching exercises on suitable open parade grounds in town.
Around 1850, political events in Europe put extra emphasis on the defense capabilities of a young nation, and in Bergen perhaps more than anywhere else in Norway, the growing feeling of a national identity was very strong, indeed.
Although there is evidence that groups of boys imitated their fathers in military-like games perhaps a hundred years earlier than this, -defending their own street or home district against "hostile intruders"; the BUEKORPS as we know them today were organized by and for the young boys themselves from 185O and onwards, in accordance with strict military patterns with Companies, Battalions, Platoons and Troops. The boys elected their own leaders among the oldest, fittest and most popular boys in the street; and made them officers with extensive executive authority.
The movement caught on, and through the years there have been BUEKORPS in several cities and towns in Norway. Only in Bergen, how- ever, has the tradition lived on to this day. Ardent BUEKORPS fans and supporters in Bergen claim that the survivors are those who accept´ no parental interference with internal affairs; and that the autonomy of the boys´ own leadership is what it is all about.
The BUEKORPS movement today.
There has been a large number of BUEKORPS in Bergen, today only twelve remain. Among them can be found several of the very first ones to be organized, and therefore have about 140 years of uninterrupted history behind them. They all march through the months of March, April and May, and to the uninitiated observer they still have the military character of years gone by.
Armed with cross-bows and -mock rifles the 9-12 year old soldiers march and exercise to heavy drum-beats and the sharp commands of their elected officers in their late teens.
Parading, of course, still is a significant feature of their activity, but is now the only remnant of the original war-and-defense game of the founders.
More and more, other events that would be expected in any organized group of young boys become increasingly important in the short "marching season" as well as off-season.
Sports, notably soccer and athletics play a very important role, as do excursions and meetings, social evenings, members´ newsletters etc. Old boys´ societies have been formed, and on very special occasions the Veterans march with their old brigades.
Recognizing the folkloristic value of the BUEKORPS, the local authorities and the tourist organizations make use of show platoons and drum beaters (some of whom are brilliant drummers) to underline the very special, living traditions of Bergen.
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