Welcome

The Zagreb Strollers Hash House Harriers are without a doubt the friendliest bunch of people you could come into contact with. All we ask is that you have a sense of humour (because you will need it!) and some lack of common sense. If you've half a mind to go hashing that's all you need.

How did it all begin?

In 1938 in Kuala Lumpur a small group of expats were sitting in a bar drinking copious amounts of beer in an effort to quench the raging thirst that comes of living in tropical paradises. They were in the Selangor Club Chambers which was derogatively nicknamed Hash House for the unimaginative monotonous food which was served there. During the course of the drinking session one of them began to moan (rather oddly) about the lack of exercise in their lives. A plan was hatched and they decided to go out on a sort of a run using the Hare and Hounds paper trail idea. One of them set a paper trail around the Hash House and the others followed it. Following their "run" they all went inside the bar to celebrate this new found pursuit.

Unfortunately a few years later war erupted and after 117 runs the Hash was forced into temporary hibernation. It took nearly 12 months after the end of the war for the survivors of HHH to reassemble. In 1962 (or thereabouts) another Hash group was formed in Singapore. The first "overseas" Hash was founded in Perth, Australia in 1967. Today there are over 1200 Hashes in around 165 countries. The traditions have remained - Hash nicknames for all "runners", a unique Hash ceremony and, of course, plenty of beer and food. The emphasis is usually on the social rather than athletic aspect of the group.

Zagreb Strollers Hash House Harriers was founded in May 1995.

Why should I Hash?

On first glance, hashing seems to centre on the activities of running and drinking beer. If you like doing these things, you'll probably like hashing. However, a lack of interest in these things doesn't automatically disqualify you as a potential hasher. In the Zagreb Strollers HHH there are a diverse range of physical abilities: some hashers run marathons whilst the only exercise some get is the biweekly hash. Similarly, some hashers love beer and drink it before, during and after the run. Others prefer not to and only partake of non-alcoholic refreshments. Despite these differences they all seem to get along fine. I should also add at this point that the Zagreb Strollers are a family friendly group and children are welcome.

What to expect

Some of you may have hashed in other places, some of you may have heard strange things about the Hash and some of you may have no idea what to expect. Zagreb Strollers are a friendly bunch and as this is a family group lewd behaviour and ritual humiliation is minimal.

The pack normally meets on alternate Sundays at 2pm in the winter and in summer on Sundays and Wednesdays about two and a half weeks apart. A trail has been set by two or more Hares. The Pack is invited to form a circle and the Hares will tell the group something about the trail. At the call On-On the Pack will set off to follow the trail. There is usually one or two checks during the trail and this allows the strolling hashers to catch up with the running hashers. Sometimes the check will include refreshments.

At the end of the trail the GMH and RA will organise the group into a circle and the ceremony begins. The ceremony usually follows a set routine. First of all the Hares are invited to the centre of the circle and the Pack is asked for comments about the trail and the Hash is then given a marking (out of ten).

Anyone invited into the circle should expect to receive a down-down. This is normally a mug of beer (or other liquid refreshment) which should be drunk down in one when the words "Drink it down, down, down..." are sung by the pack. (More about songs later)

Any beer (or other soft drink) that cannot be drunk should be tipped over the drinkers head (i.e. your own!). Hashers are usually invited into the circle for a variety Hash misdemeanours and rewards. At the end of the ceremony the Hash Hymn is sung.

There is a small charge at each Hash of Kn 30 per adult and Kn 15 per child. This money is collected and used to pay for beer and soft drinks. Any excess is used to subsidise Hash events to which all are invited.

Rules

There are a few rules which should be followed when a Hare sets a trail. This should give you a guide for what you can expect.

1. The run should begin within a 30 minute drive from central Zagreb (exceptions are weekend away Hashes)
2. The trail should be marked with flour, chalk or other temporary and bio-degradable substance.
3. The run should be between 3 and 5 miles long and should last about 40 minutes in the winter and 1 hour in the summer.
4. The Hares should never cross their own trail.
5. Hash marks should always appear on the right (except when they are on the left).

More Rules

1. No gross attention seeking.
2. Hashers will call "On-On" whenever they see a Hash mark
3. No use of electronic devices on the Hash (i.e. mobile phones)
4. No pointing, it's rude (use your elbow if you wish to indicate something or someone)
5. Hash attire must always be worn, ie a Hash t-shirt (always on sale for a low, low price of Kn 50) and no new shoes.

Vocabulary

• Pack - the people who come to the Hash
• Hash Mark - blob of flour or chalk used to indicate the direction of the trail
• Hare - the person who sets the trail
• MisManagement Committee - group who meet up to organise and generally mismanage the Pack's future plans
• GMH - Grandmaster Hasher, generally expected to organise the circle and direct the ceremony
• RA - Religious Adviser, in charge of Hash discipline
• POTH – Pack of the Hymn, sings the note "me, me, me" to allow the pack to begin singing a Hash song
• Hash Cash - collects cash and mismanages Hash funds
• Hash Dash - Hash Haberdasher, responsible for sale, design and ordering of T-shirts
• Hash Snitch - writes the reports for the Hash
• Hash Trash - sends out reports, schedules and news to the Pack
• Hash Flash - official Hash photographer

Sunday Hashes begin at 2pm. Hashes on other days begin at 6.30pm.

Details of forthcoming hashes are also posted on the Zagreb Strollers web site and Calendar.

To receive e-mail announcements of upcoming hashes, just send a "sign me up!" e-mail to zsh3@yahoo.co.uk, and you'll be added to our mailing list.

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