Damsupén

Nikki, Liz and Lilli

The Damsupén (meaning Women's Super) is a themed event planned in secret by the men of the nation. This semesters theme: The Nations.

Upon arriving at the nation, the ladies split up into groups of about 6-8 and went from station to station playing games the boys had come up with. 

Our first stop (which I didn't photograph) was a mock of the Kalmar Nation Open Mic Night during which we had about 30 seconds to prepare something to preform for 2 minutes. Our group decided to sing Colt 45 and dance. Lilli dropped a beat while Nikki and I sang and the others danced. 

Next we went down to the basement which was decorated like a jungle. There we found a bunch of guys dressed in loin cloths and worrier paint, chanting and playing instruments. One guy was sitting in a cooking pot and we were suppose to season the soup to the medicine mans liking. Once we did we were free to go. I am still unsure what the point of this station was... but it was funny none the less!

Next we went the the mock Göteborg Nation. At this station there were 4 covered plates on the table. Under each cover was a dead fish. We had to guess what kind of fish it was and then tell a story about it.

Next we went to Gotland Nation. Here we had to help the shepherd retrieve his runaway sheep. 

Happy Sheep and a happy Shepherd.

After working our way through all the stations we were let into the Dining Room. 

Roasted Beets and Asparagus with Cheese and a Crisp Dried Apple

Dining companions:

Liz, Hanna, and Johanna

Liz and Lilli

Leader of the dinner.

Spex (a.k.a Skit)

 After our appetizer, some singing, and a short skit, dinner was served.

Stuffed Portobello Mushroom and a mountain of Sun-dried Tomato Mashed Potatoes.

And just a side note:

To pinch and Not to pinch

Napkin hats and singing. A silly Swedish tradition.

Only in Sweden

Once the song has ended, napkins go flying!

Singing is one of the best parts of the gasque. The rules are simple: sing loud and sing often, even if you don’t know the lyric or the melody! Most of the songs have been rewritten to the melodiesof  folk songs or traditional songs to which most people know the tune so following along is easy...if you know the tune and can read Swedish that is. Each nation has its own songbook full of over a hundred songs.

Some songs such as the traditional drinking song Helan Går are always sung.

The singing, eating, and drinking continued. 

Then the Men's Choir entered all wearing cardboard top-hats, beards and suspenders of a vest while singing the O'Brother Where Art Thou song Let's go Down to the River to Pray. 

They were pretending to be from a small village in Västergötland but seemed more like southern inbred bible trumpers. Swedes trying to speak English we a Southern accent, priceless.

Building a Barn. Notice the Ikea box roof  ;)

 

After even more singing, and a fifteen minute pause it was time for dessert. 

White Chocolate Torte with Fresh Fruit and Chocolate Sauce.

Near the end of the gasque, it is tradition for songbooks to be passed around to those sitting near you. Everyone write a note, poem, or sometimes draws a picture which is then not suppose to be read until the next day.

Also at the end of the gasque, it seems to be tradition to sing and synchronized song  Punchen Kommer (just watch the first 1:20 of the video, that's really what it is like :D).

Hanna loves singing!

At some point the top-hat got passed around.

The phrase of the evening:

ONLY IN SWEDEN!

I could not imagine any of this happening in the US and I am so glad I have gotten to be apart of something so special and unique to Uppsala.
I love going to gasques because they are so rich with tradition, and they are full of good spirits (no pun intended ;)), good food and lots of singing. This was probably one of the best I have been to. It was made so great by the fabulous company, lively spirit, and my ability to understand much of what was being said when announcements, toasts and speeches were given in Swedish.
Definitely a night to remember :)