Pots And Pans: A Noisy Protest

Banging pots and pans is a form of protest known as a cacerolazo, which stems from resistance movements in Latin America. The first documented protests of this style occurred in France in the 1830s, when opponents of the regime of Louis Philippe I took to banging saucepans to express their disapproval of the government. In modern times, this form of protest has been used in the US to show support for the Black Lives Matter movement, and in Brazil, where millions of people banged pots and pans on their balconies to express their anger at President Jair Bolsonaro's handling of the coronavirus pandemic.

To protest against a government or government action

Banging pots and pans outside is a form of protest known as a "cacerolazo" or "casseroles". This type of demonstration is used to protest against a government or specific government actions and has been employed by people worldwide, from Chile to Canada, France to Myanmar.

Cacerolazos are a way to call for attention and express disapproval of government actions. They are particularly effective as they can be done from the safety of people's homes, such as during a curfew or when it is too dangerous to go outside. The noise created by banging pots and pans together can be heard from far away and is a powerful symbol of protest.

The practice of cacerolazos dates back to at least the 1800s in France, where it was used to protest against the regime of Louis Philippe I. In the 20th century, cacerolazos became popular in Latin America, with Chile being the first country in the region to adopt this form of protest. During the Salvador Allende regime in the 1970s, conservative women in Chile used cacerolazos to protest against food shortages, with the empty pots symbolising the difficulties of households in obtaining enough food.

In recent years, cacerolazos have been used in Brazil to protest against President Jair Bolsonaro's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and in Lebanon in 2019 during nationwide protests against political corruption and economic instability.

To ward off evil spirits

Banging pots and pans together is a way to ward off evil spirits, bad juju, and the ghosts of the previous year. This practice is believed to bring good luck and is often done at midnight on New Year's Eve. The tradition is thought to have originated as a new year's superstition, with people banging pots and pans together to create a loud noise that scares away evil spirits. This custom is observed in various parts of the world, including Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, and the United States.

In Australia and New Zealand, people bang pots and pans at midnight on New Year's Eve to chase away bad "juju," such as evil spirits and bad acts, and to drive away the devil. This practice is considered a sign of good luck and a joyous way to welcome the new year.

In Ireland, banging pots and pans together at midnight on New Year's Eve is a traditional way to celebrate and ward off evil spirits. This custom adds to the festive atmosphere and symbolizes a fresh start for the coming year.

In the United States, some people incorporate banging pots and pans into their New Year's Eve traditions. They believe that the loud noise scares away the ghosts of the previous year and ushers in a new beginning. This practice is often done in a lighthearted manner, with people running around their houses and making as much noise as possible.

Additionally, banging pots and pans is not just limited to new year celebrations. In some cultures, it is believed that banging pots and pans can be used to clear a space of negative energy and create a peaceful atmosphere. For example, in folk magic traditions, banging pots and pans is believed to "shake out" the bad energy from a house, similar to how smudging with sage is used to cleanse a space.

Furthermore, the practice of banging pots and pans has also been adopted as a form of protest in various parts of the world, known as "cacerolazos" or "caceroladas." This type of protest originated in the late 20th century in Latin America and has since spread to other regions, including North America, Europe, and Asia. Cacerolazos are often used to show discontent with a government or a specific government action while enabling people to participate from their homes, especially when it is unsafe to protest in the streets.

To show support for a cause while social distancing

The banging of pots and pans, known as cacerolazos, is a form of protest that stems from the late 20th century as a resistance tactic in Latin American countries. Cacerolazos are typically used to protest against a government or a specific government action. While these protests can happen in the streets as part of larger demonstrations, they often occur when it is too dangerous to go outside. For instance, during protests against Chile's military dictatorship in the 1980s, people would bang pots and pans from the safety of their homes.

Cacerolazos are an effective way to show support for a cause while social distancing. They are a call to resistance and a call to join in collectively. For those who cannot participate in street protests, cacerolazos provide an alternative method to express their opposition and show solidarity with a cause.

The power of cacerolazos lies in their ability to build collective spirit. What might begin as a single person banging a saucepan from their apartment can grow into a building-wide symphony, with the clanging of pots and pans spreading across an entire neighborhood in a united act of defiance.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, cacerolazos were used in many countries, including India, Brazil, Canada, and Spain, as a way to show support for frontline workers fighting against the coronavirus. In 2020, people in DC also banged pots and pans from their balconies and stoops in solidarity with protesters demanding justice for George Floyd and Breonna Taylor and demonstrating against racial injustice and police brutality.

To express disapproval of an occupant's deeds

Banging pots and pans outside has been a form of protest for centuries. This style of protest is called a cacerolazo, which comes from the Spanish word "cacerola", meaning "stew pot". The use of banging pots and pans to express disapproval of an occupant's deeds dates back to medieval Europe, where it was used to signify disapproval of an occupant's deeds. This was known as "rough music", and was often used to express disapproval of living in sin or spousal abuse.

In more recent times, banging pots and pans has been used as a form of protest in several countries, including France, Chile, Argentina, Algeria, Lebanon, and Canada. In France, this type of protest is thought to originate from a medieval ritual where villagers would humiliate an ill-matched marriage with a concert of saucepans. During the Algerian War of Independence in the 1950s and 60s, supporters of the French far-right paramilitary group OAS used pot-bashing as a way to show their support for keeping Algeria French.

In Latin America, the cacerolazo has become an ear-splitting tradition of mass protests. The first major breakout of this type of protest occurred in 1971 in Chile against food shortages during the regime of Salvador Allende. Since then, the cacerolazo has been used in Argentina to protest economic crises and bank savings being cut off. In 2019, protesters in Lebanon hit pots and pans from their balconies, continuing the ritual even as mass protests slowed down.

To wake someone up

Banging pots and pans is a sure-fire way to wake someone up. The noise is loud, clear, and direct, making it perfect for rousing someone from their slumber. This method has been used in various media, such as in the film adaptation of Harriet the Spy, where Harriet's classmates employ this technique to wake her up. Additionally, it is a common tactic used by reality TV contestants on Big Brother to wake their fellow housemates.

Banging pots and pans to wake someone up can also be seen in cartoons and animations like Looney Tunes, where it is often done in a particular order: shouting, banging pots and pans, and then playing a one-man band. This trope is also used in the show Calvin and Hobbes, where Calvin bangs on a pot until his mom tells him to stop.

The practice of banging pots and pans has a long history, dating back to medieval Europe. Small towns would gather the population around someone's house and create a ruckus, including banging pots and pans, to show disapproval of an occupant's actions. This tradition was called "rough music". It was also used to ward off evil spirits, with the loud noises believed to scare them away. This practice continues today, with people banging pots and pans on New Year's Eve to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck for the coming year.

In recent times, banging pots and pans has become a form of protest, known as a "cacerolazo" or "cacerolada". This type of demonstration started in Chile in 1971 as a way to protest food shortages and has since spread to other countries, including Argentina, Canada, India, and Lebanon. During these protests, people bang on pots, pans, and other utensils to call attention to their cause and show their discontent with the government or a specific government action.

Frequently asked questions