Jägertanz/Hunter’s Dance 2024

The Austria Club is opening their doors to their members and to the public to invite you all to a Jaegertanz (Hunter’s Dance).

The “Jägertanz” (Hunter’s Dance) is a traditional folk dance in Austria, often associated with hunting culture and rural traditions. This dance typically involves lively movements that mimic the actions of hunters, such as aiming, shooting, and carrying a rifle. The participants, usually men, wear traditional hunter’s attire, which includes lederhosen (leather trousers), and hats adorned with feathers or animal motifs.

The Jägertanz is performed at festivals, especially in alpine regions, and is often accompanied by folk music featuring instruments like the accordion, zither, and brass. The dance is a way to celebrate hunting as a significant part of local culture and history, and it often includes elements of storytelling, where dancers act out scenes from a hunt.

In some regions, the dance may also be connected to rituals of the hunting season, symbolizing the relationship between humans and nature, and paying homage to the skills and traditions of hunters.

The Austria Vancouver Club (in Richmond) is a non profit cultural club. The club was established to practice and uphold Austrian traditions and language.