Hundreds of students at St Andrews University in Scotland took part in the annual Raisin Monday foam fight, a tradition that dates back 600 years. The event, held on St Salvator's lower college lawn, saw students in fancy dress covering each other with shaving foam.
A Tradition Transformed
Originally, first-year students would give their mentors a pound of raisins as a thank you for guiding them through their initial weeks at university. Over the years, this has evolved into a large-scale foam fight, with students now using cans of shaving foam instead of the traditional gift.
Groups of students dressed as Smurfs, mice, bananas, grandmas, sunflowers, and chefs took part in the rite of passage. The theme for each group is chosen by second- and third-year students, known as “mums” and “dads,” who mentor the first years.
Bringing Students Together
Freya, a first-year student dressed as a periodic table element, said: “Traditions like this are much more important because people are less connected face to face than they were before. Getting to do something like this brings everyone together.”
Simon, part of the same group, added: “When you are covering each other in shaving foam, how much more bonded can you get?”
Unique University Rituals
The St Andrews event is one of several unusual traditions at UK universities. At Merton College, Oxford, students walk backwards around Fellows' Quadrangle when the clocks go back in October. In Aberdeen, each new rector is carried around campus on the back of a stuffed bull.
For St Andrews, the ritual serves a serious purpose. The university is the third oldest in the English-speaking world, and more than half of the small town's population are students from around the globe. The event helps break down barriers between students.
Community and Charity
Deborah, an American medical student, whose group dressed as Megamind, noted: “Because it's such a small university, we get to have these sort of events. It wouldn't be feasible at a bigger place. It brings people together. We do not have as many things going on because we are so small, so it helps create community and people you wouldn't usually meet.”
This year, students were encouraged to donate to a local food bank before the foam fight began. The event appeared to be less alcohol-fuelled than in previous years.
After about half an hour, the foam fight wound down as students headed to the exit to be hosed down despite the cold weather. Henry, an American student, said: “It's amazing. I only really know Americans, so getting to meet people from Singapore, England, South America, Africa and the Middle East through this is great. It's rare to find a place where you can meet such a diverse group of people.”
