Banging Pots And Pans: A Noisy Protest

Banging pots and pans together is a tradition that has been practised for various reasons across the world. In some cultures, it is believed that making loud noises with kitchen utensils can ward off evil spirits. This tradition is often observed during New Year celebrations, as well as to celebrate a major win or during weddings. In other contexts, banging pots and pans is a form of protest, with the first instance of this style of demonstration occurring in France in the 1830s. This type of protest has since been observed in many countries, including Chile, Spain, the Netherlands, Canada, India, Brazil, Lebanon, Puerto Rico, Turkey, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Myanmar.

A form of protest

Banging pots and pans together is a form of protest known as a "cacerolazo" or "cacerolada" in Spanish and "cassolada" in Catalan. This form of protest is a way for people to express their anger or discontent with a government or specific government action.

The practice is thought to have originated in France in the 1830s after the July Revolution that led to the abdication of King Charles X. Opponents of the new regime, unhappy with the new king, Louis Philippe, sought to make their voices heard by borrowing from the traditional charivari ritual, which involves making loud noises. This way of showing discontent became popular in 1832, taking place mainly at night, and sometimes with the participation of thousands of people.

In the 20th century, banging pots and pans as a form of protest spread beyond France, with demonstrations taking place in Algeria during the country's war of independence in the 1950s and 60s. However, it was in Latin America where the tradition of mass "cacerolazos" truly took off, with the first major instance occurring in Chile in 1971 against food shortages during the regime of Salvador Allende.

Since then, cacerolazos have become a popular form of protest across the globe, from Chile to Argentina, Venezuela, Brazil, Spain, Canada, the Philippines, Myanmar, Lebanon, Kenya, and the United States. During the COVID-19 pandemic, people in various countries also took to banging pots and pans to show their appreciation for essential health workers.

The effectiveness of cacerolazos lies in their ability to demonstrate collective spirit and allow people to show their support and solidarity while maintaining social distance if needed. They have been particularly effective in Latin America, where they have become a powerful symbol of protest, often associated with conservative or right-wing movements.

To celebrate a win

Banging pots and pans together is a time-honoured way to celebrate a major win without the need for fireworks. This tradition goes back centuries and is particularly popular in Miami, where people have taken to the streets with pots and pans to celebrate the victories of their sports teams. This practice is also common in Cuba and other parts of the Caribbean, with roots tracing back to the influence of African slaves in the region during the 16th and 17th centuries.

In addition to celebrating victories, banging pots and pans can also be used as a form of protest or to express disapproval, as seen in the Algerian War of Independence and various other political demonstrations around the world.

When used to celebrate, banging pots and pans is a fun and harmless way to make some noise and express joy. It is often done spontaneously by people taking to the streets or banging their cookware from the comfort of their homes, balconies, or even cars. This method of celebration is especially useful when fireworks are not an option due to safety or legal concerns.

So, if you're looking to celebrate a win without the fireworks, grab a pot or a pan and join in the rhythmic banging! It's a great way to express your happiness and connect with others who are equally thrilled about the victory. Whether you're celebrating a sports victory, a personal achievement, or any other joyous occasion, banging pots and pans is a tradition that can add to the excitement and create lasting memories.

To ward off evil spirits

Banging pots and pans together is believed to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck. This practice is thought to have originated from an old superstition where people would make loud noises using their pots and pans to ward off evil spirits. This tradition is often carried out at midnight on New Year's Eve to chase away bad "juju", such as evil spirits and bad acts, and to scare away the ghosts of the previous year.

In some cultures, this belief is so strong that it has become a regular practice. For example, in Myanmar, it is believed that banging pots and pans is a traditional method of warding off evil spirits, and this is done around 8 pm each night. Similarly, in Chile, cacerolazos or "nights of the pots" were held during the Algerian War of Independence, creating thunderous displays of noise in cities using homemade pots, whistles, and horns.

The practice of banging pots and pans to ward off evil spirits has also been used as a form of protest. In France in the 1830s, opponents of the regime of Louis Philippe I adopted this method of protest from the charivari tradition, using noise to express their disapproval of the government. More recently, in 2019, citizens of Lebanon took to the streets banging on pots and kitchen utensils to express their anger over years of political corruption and economic instability.

While the exact reasons behind this tradition may vary across different cultures and countries, the act of banging pots and pans together is often associated with the idea of creating loud noises to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck for the coming year.

As part of a traditional French wedding prank

Charivari was not always a celebratory act. Sometimes, villagers would take to banging pots and pans to force unmarried couples to wed, show disapproval of a marriage, or even announce the home of an adulterous villager. Given the different meanings of the clamour outside their windows, this ritual must have been quite confusing for newlyweds. In modern times, Charivari is mostly ceremonial, and couples are expected to provide snacks for the noisy revellers.

In England, a similar tradition involves tying tin cans to the back of the wedding car and putting stones in the hubcaps as the couple drives away. This is done to draw attention to the fact that the couple are newly married and off on their honeymoon, adding to the festivities of their special day.

To celebrate New Year's Eve

Banging pots and pans together is a tradition that is thought to have started in Ireland, but is now practised in the US, UK, Australia, Cuba, the Philippines, and many other nations. It is a custom that crosses a variety of cultures and locations.

Banging pots and pans is a way to make a lot of noise and celebrate the New Year without the need for fireworks. It is also a tradition that may have stemmed from the belief that making loud noises can banish bad spirits from the previous year and welcome the new one. In China, for example, fireworks are set off to scare away the Nian, a monster that brings harm on New Year's Day.

In Scotland, the tradition of 'first footing' is practised, where a dark-haired man is the first person to enter a home in the new year. He carries a lump of coal, some food, money, and perhaps a black bun, shortbread, salt, and whiskey. This is thought to bring a warm house, plenty of food, and wealth in the coming year.

So, to celebrate New Year's Eve, here are some ideas that incorporate the banging of pots and pans:

• Gather your pots, pans, and other utensils and make a lot of noise to ward off any evil spirits from the previous year.
• If you are in Scotland, or feel like adopting Scottish traditions, ensure a dark-haired man is the first person to enter your home after midnight, carrying the traditional items for 'first footing'.
• If you are in China, or celebrating with Chinese traditions, set off some fireworks to scare away the Nian monster and any lingering evil spirits.
• You could also try some of the other global New Year's Eve traditions, such as eating 12 grapes at midnight for good luck (in Spain and some Latin American countries), wearing coloured underwear (in Colombia, Brazil, Italy, and other Latin American countries), or singing 'Auld Lang Syne' (in the US, Canada, the UK, and other English-speaking countries).

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