The Wandering Years
On my recent trip to Germany, I caught a news story on TV
that was of interest to me (although my understanding of spoken German is very
limited) and perhaps to others with German heritage. The story was about a
traveling craftsman and his Wanderbuch. This gentleman was an apprentice bricklayer,
and told of his adventures on his journey of 3 years and 1 day. He was
in his “uniform” that apparently is centuries old and according to the rules he
can only carry his sleeping bag, some tools, a few special clothes and travel
around to master his craft. He is
allowed to ask for free food (by asking in a special poem form) and by asking
other master’s, like bakers or butchers. He also will ask for work and a place
to stay. All these jobs must be recorded
in his wanderbuch and stamped by the master he worked for.
So a little background on the Journeyman and the Wanderbuch.
Since the late Middle Ages, craftsman experience a period of
wandering after completion of their apprenticeship. They may only go wandering
if they have passed the journeyman’s examination and are unmarried, childless
and debt free. They are labeled as strangers or foreigners since they must
leave their home and travel, never coming back within 30 miles of their
hometown for 3 years and 1 day.
The rules are defined by the guild of their craft including
the length of time they wander, what they may carry (a gnarled wooden stick, a
black wide brimmed hat and a waistcoat and jacket and trousers that designate
your trade. (different for carpenters, blacksmith, bricklayers etc.)
The wandering years served to get to know their craft and
new techniques and generally to collect life experience. They would have to
wander throughout their country and even into other countries to learn from
other masters and to hone their skills before coming home to start a
career.
Throughout this journey they would carry their “Wanderbuch”.
The
book made it possible for the person in search of work to move from city to town. However,
he had to meet certain requirements for it. At each place where the
workers are staying longer than two days, he was obliged to report to the
authorities and show his Wanderbuch for inspection. The book was then
given a short entry and a stamp of authority. A stay over two days was
also banned him unless he could not find work locally. The Wanderbuch also
expressly forbid under
threat of "prison-punishment" begging and "aimless
wanderings." Also, any change to the book by the owner, such erasures
or strikeouts, was found to be a forgery which also was punishable.
To
enable the authorities a clear identification of the holder, the Wanderbuch includes
detailed information about his appearance. Passport photos did not yet exist,
so stature and facial features are therefore given exactly.
Despite
adverse circumstances, travelers have above all, the freedom. The wander years
are also an opportunity to think about life and pursue philosophical questions. In journeyman evenings, however serene
atmosphere comes down to what is partly due to the whim of drinking companions. After
all the impressions and experiences many find it difficult to return to
everyday life. As one Journeymen said: "It's hard to leave from home,
but infinitely more difficult to come back."
