One of Bergen’s most charming and distinctive traditions is the buekorps - the city’s historic youth brigades that march through narrow streets, drum in parades, and carry wooden rifles or crossbows.
Deeply rooted in Bergen’s heritage, the buekorps remain a living symbol of community spirit, youthful energy, and civic pride.
A tradition born from Bergen’s militia
The origins of the buekorps trace back to the mid-19th century and were inspired by the evolving local militias. There are two buekorps that claim to be the oldest: Skutevikens Buekorps and Dræggens Buekorps. Skutevikens claim to be founded in 1853, but there’s still a degree of uncertainty surrounding that claim. So Dræggens is by most people considered the oldest. This buekorps was founded in 1856.
Over time, batallions of buekorps appeared in different city districts, each tied to a particular neighborhood. Today, 14 active buekorps remain in Bergen, each proudly linked to its quarter of the city.
Buekorps in front of Bryggen in Bergen. Photo: Petr Šmerkl, Wikipedia
What a Buekorps does - beyond marching
At first glance, buekorps may look like miniature military units - but their purpose is far broader and deeply social. The organization, structure, and traditions are run entirely by the youths themselves, with older members acting as officers, younger ones as privates, and drummers providing rhythm.
Membership typically ranges from children around 7 years old up to 19-20 years old. Their activities span much more than just marching: they take part in physical training, excursions, social gatherings, and even charitable work.
Importantly, these brigades are politically, religiously, and ethnically neutral - a space where young people from across Bergen come together around a shared tradition.
The rhythm of the year - seasonality and celebrations
The "official" buekorps season runs from March through the summer, with spring being the busiest period. The highlight, for many, is Constitution Day (17 May) - Norway’s national day - when the buekorps play a central role in the city parades.
In addition to their founding dates, many brigades celebrate Buekorps Day, held every four years, when different corps come together for pageantry, competitions, and camaraderie.
A museum that keeps history alive
To preserve and share this unique tradition, Bergen is home to the Buekorps Museum, located in the historic Murhvelvingen building at the entrance to the city’s pedestrian street. Here you can explore a rich collection of buekorps artifacts - flags, drums, sabres, medals - and learn about both current and defunct brigades.
The museum’s collection also highlights the self-governance of the corps, the democratic way youth run their own organizations, and the intergenerational ties with "veterans" who support younger members.
Evolution and inclusion
While buekorps were once exclusively for boys, the landscape has changed. The first girls’ brigade was formed in 1991, and today there are mixed-gender battalions across the city. This evolution has brought renewed vitality to the tradition, reflecting modern values while honoring Bergen’s heritage.
Why Buekorps matters for Bergen
For visitors, hearing the drums, watching the precise formations, and seeing the pride in young marchers is like tapping into centuries of tradition. For locals, buekorps is more than a hobby - it’s a rite of passage, a civic institution, and a way for the youth to build discipline, leadership, and belonging.
On days like 17 May, when the streets of Bergen echo with drums and wooden rifles, the buekorps are not just performing - they are carrying forward a uniquely Bergen legacy.
Photo: Visit Bergen / Robin Strand - visitBergen.com. If you are publishing an article or similar for non-commercial use, this image is available in our free image database.
Fun fact - the origin of the local word rævedilter
The Norwegian word “rævedilter” (primarily used in Bergen) comes from ræv (“rear” or “behind”) and dilte (“to trail along”). It literally refers to someone who walks right behind another person, always following their steps.
The word originates from the buekorps tradition, where a rævedilter is a younger child who follows the brigade during marches, hoping to join in or imitate the older members. Many former buekorps veterans jokingly say they “started as a rævedilter” before eventually earning their place in the ranks.
Photo: Nina Aldin Thune (Creative Commons)
A unique Buekorps souvenir:
If you’d like to bring home a souvenir from Bergen, visit Sigve Solberg and his shop, Norsemen Miniatures, located at Bryggen. In this charming shop and workshop, he creates handmade miniature tin soldiers, and among his collection you will of course find Buekorps figures.
to add an item to your Itinerary basket.
