The flag-waving team started life as a group within the Meigraaf Art Group. As time went on it received an increasing number of requests for performances and the group grew in size to meet the demand. Eventually, in 1995 the team became independent, and it separated from Meigraaf.
A new name was needed and it seemed appropriate to use local dialect since all the members lived in Brussels and it would associate the group with the city. Therefore the name Draposmaaiter which means flagtrougher in Brussels dialect was chosen, and Vendel- & Trommelkorps which means flag & drum team was added.
Flagwaving is an old traditional custom and consists in creating patterns by waving end throwing flags in a set series of movements, usually accompanied by drums and/or other instruments. The Draposmaaiter has a repertoire of different sets, for example ´De Blauwvoet´ (= The bluebird, an old Flemish song), ´De Brechtse reeks´ (=a set from the city of Brecht), and ´Vendelgroet van Leefdaal´ (=the flag-greeting of the city of Leefdaal).
The average age of Draposmaaiter members is about 19 years so the team has a youthful refreshing look, and performs the sets strongly and vigorously.
The flags traditionally weigh about 5 kg. Whilst it is not an obstacle to throw this weight and perform intricate figures. Draposmaaiter felt a need to experiment (as other teams have), and after contact with foreign groups the Italian style which uses smaller and lighter flags was partly adopted. This allowed the flags to be thrown much higher, and more complex figures could be performed with each flagwaver operating several flags at once.
In this way Draposmaaiter has altered the more static traditional style with a much more exuberant and showy performance.
The Vendel- & trommelkorps Draposmaaiter in action presents a spectacular curling, whirling aerial ballet of multicoloured flags accompanied by drum, flute or pipe as the flagwavers require. The flagwavers themselves proudly wear costumes in the 17th. century style.
The performance is very popular and much appreciated by a wide variety of audiences.
Contact
The team practises every Saturday morning in the Sint-Pieterscollege in Jette-Brussels. The sessions start at 9.30 and end at 11.30.
Anyone is welcome to come and watch, and perhaps try flagwaving themselves.
For more information:
Princen
A. Vandenschrieckstraat 84
1090 Jette - Brussel
België
draposmaaiter@yahoo.com
Tel/Fax: 0032 (0)2 425 59 78
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