The Hash House Harriers (abbreviated to HHH or H3) is an international group of drinking/running clubs. The template for a hash run is for one or more hashers to lay out a running trail, which may include false trails, short cuts and trail breaks. These features are designed to keep the pack together regardless of fitness levels or running speed. The 'hounds' follow the trail to a cache of beer. Hashing has frequently been described as 'a drinking club with a running problem'.
The organization of the Hash House Harriers is completely decentralized, with chapters (also commonly called kennels) having absolutely no formal regional or national offices or leadership structure. There are more than 1700 kennels with at least one Hash in virtually every major city in the world. Most hashes gather on a weekly or regularly scheduled basis.
History
Hashing began in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in 1938, when a small group of British colonial officials and expatriates, Cecil Lee, Frederick "Horse" Thomson, Ronald "Torch" Bennett, and a British accountant of Catalan descent Albert Stephen Ignatius Gispert(A.S Gispert), a casual group who would meet after work on Monday evenings to run, following a paper trail, through the environs of Kuala Lumpur to get rid of the excesses of the previous weekend. There was another member of the group, John Woodrow, who is rarely credited as one of the founders as he left Malaysia after the war to return home to his family in Scotland.
After running for some months they were approached by the Registrar of Societies, who advised them that, as they were a "group" they would require a Constitution (the aims of which are reproduced below) and a name. A.S. Gispert (known as "G") suggested the name "Hash House Harriers". As bachelors, they were billeted in the Selangor Club Annex, known locally as the Hash House, because of its monotonous food. Their runs were patterned after the traditional British paper chase. A hare was given a head start to blaze a trail, marking his devious way with shreds of paper, all the while pursued by a shouting pack of "harriers." Only the hare knew where he was going...the harriers followed his clues to stay on trail. Apart from the excitement of chasing the hare and solving the clues, reaching the end was its own reward...for there thirsty harriers would find a tub of iced beer (and, in those earlier, more forgiving days, ginger beer and cigarettes)
Hashing died out during World War II after the Japanese invasion of Malaysia, but started again shortly after the war, when the original protagonists, minus "G" who had been killed in the Japanese invasion of Singapore, re-assembled in Kuala Lumpur. Apart from a "one off" chapter, formed in the Italian Riviera, (now the Royal Milan and Bordighera Hash), hashing didn't take off until 1962, when Ian Cumming founded the 2nd kennel in Singapore. From then on, the phenomenon started to grow, spreading through the Far East, Australia, and New Zealand, as well as Europe and North America. Hashing experienced a large growth in popularity during the mid-1970s.
By the end of the 20th century, there were thousands of Hash House Harrier clubs in all parts of the world, with newsletters, directories, and even regional and world hashing conventions. This boom is owed largely to the power of the Internet to provide timely and accurate information on kennels and their events and points of contact. As of 2003, there are two organized HHH groups in Antarctica.[1]
How it is done
Hashing hasn't strayed far from its Kuala Lumpur roots. A typical hash kennel (local chapter or group) today is a loosely-organized group of 20-100 men and women, aka Harriers and Harriettes, although not all groups are co-ed, and some chapters in major metropolitan areas have well more than 100 hashers at an event. Kennel members meet weekly or bi-weekly to follow a trail laid by a hare (the person(s) leading the trail who leaves the appropriate marks on the ground, trees etc. for the pack to follow). While strips of paper have previously been used to mark trail, especially in tropical areas, it has generally been replaced with flour or chalk, with toilet paper often being used in off-road areas that would make the other marks difficult to see. Many hash kennels recommend that the hare call the local police dispatcher before the run as a courtesy to inform them of the run. They also prefer the use of bio-degradable flour to mark trail in order to avoid unnecessary problems. After the anthrax scares in 2001, many groups throughout the Western world had to change the way they marked trails by using colored chalk or other materials. Generally any mark used to identify the trail is called a 'hash mark'.
Trails may be "live" - where the hare gets the head start (often 5-10 minutes) from the pack, or "dead" - where trail is laid entirely (or in part) in advance of the start. Live trails, while closer to the original Hare and Hounds tradition mentioned in "Tom Brown's Schooldays", are more common in the USA, while the rest of the world tends towards "dead" or pre-laid trails. The choice of "live" or "dead" trails is a subject of much controversy on the various hash-related discussion groups.
There may be one or more "beer stops" or "beer checks" along the way, with the hare either pre-caching a cooler of beer, or having the trail go to a prearranged meeting spot with the beer truck, which is generally a personal vehicle that someone is using to transport a keg or cooler of drinks, snacks, and beer along with the hash's gear.
With a "live" trail, the general intent of the pack is to attempt to catch the hare before they finish the trail and get to the end. In efforts to do this, some pack members might "range", or go off-trail if they can guess where the hare may go, in attempts to head off the hare. Generally such a form of athleticism is frowned on by some of the more socially minded kennels. To make the run interesting, the hare can set the trail through literally any kind of terrain, with only the imagination being the limitation. The trails can go through residential areas, forests, or swamps with anything off-road generally called "shiggy". Such shiggy might be classified in levels with the first being a path through a park or dirt road while the last might have the pack going through a quarter mile of chest deep, shoe-sucking swamp. The pack never knows where a trail will go or where it may lead and are often advised to bring a change of clothes and shoes to be used after the trail is complete.
A trail may be an 'A to A' where the start and ending location are in the same place or an 'A to B' where the start and end are at different spots. Hashers may run through streets, back alleyways, or shopping malls, ford streams, climb fences, explore storm drains, run through huge jungles and scale cliffs. And although some (but perhaps very few) of today's health-conscious hashers may shun a cold beer in favor of water or a diet soda, a trail's end is still a party.
Often the hare will employ several tricks in attempts to slow the pack and to keep runners and walkers together. The hare may mark an intersection - generally called a "check" - that signifies that the trail continues within a 360 degree area from that point. Several false trails may lead from that check and it is up to the front runners to "solve" the trail by going out and determining what might actually be the correct path, or "true trail". Once the true way has been determined then that runner may mark the check to indicate the proper direction so that anyone to come up it later (such as the walkers, other runners, or anyone arriving late) will not have to figure it out all over again. The pack will generally carry whistles, horns, or other audible means of communicating in order to assist each other on trail and keep from getting lost. A member of the pack calling out "Are you?" means to know if another individual is searching for the true trail, typically near a check (or intersection), or is on the correct path. Someone will typically call out either "Checking!" to indicate that they are looking for the trail or "On-On", or blow their whistle or horn three times, to signify that they are on the true trail and that the pack should follow them.
A false trail may be marked one of several ways including a "bad trail" mark, possibly consisting of three parallel lines or other indication, a mark of "YBF" (short for "You've Been Fooled" or "You've Been F**ked"), or a mark of "CB #" ("Count Back" with some number). The bad trail and YBF marks indicate that the runner must return to the most recent check point and then attempt to find the trail again. The count back mark means that the runner must count back the indicated number of hash marks and then use that point to look for the next hash mark that might be hidden behind a tree, light pole, car tire, etc. An arrow on the ground with three parallel lines is known as a "true trail arrow"and signifies to the pack that they are on the real trail and are not following a false or bad trail. Other signs used might include a "BN" that means "Beer Near" - there is a beer stop nearby, "BS" signifying that the runner is now at the Beer Stop and should either look for the stashed beverages nearby or wait for the beer truck to arrive (depending on the instructions given by the hare before the start of trail), and "HH" - a "Hash Halt" command that tells the runners that they must wait until at least the first of the walkers show up so that the hare might have a bit more time to get ahead. Every Hash has its own set of marks and the names for these marks may vary widely, so Hashers visiting another pack should check the local signs before the run.
At trail's end hashers gather to drink beer and observe so-called religious ceremonies, the "Circle", which consists of drinking more beer; this time ritualistically. Circles may be led by the hash Grandmaster, the group's Religious Adviser, or by a committee of mismanagement. Traditions and the degree of rowdiness vary from hash to hash, but in general the Circle consists of awarding "Down-Downs" for misdemeanors real, imagined, or blatantly made up, and the recipients will most likely have been dobbed in by their fellow hashers. Generally the activities will also include the group singing of bawdy drinking songs of the type that can be heard in an old pub, fraternity party, military get-together, rugby match, or other such social gathering. With or without specially added hash house verses, these traditional bawdy songs are also published and distributed to members in the form of so-called Hash House Hymnals.
At the conclusion of the Circle, the hashers may head to an "On-After" or "On-On-On", which may be at a nearby restaurant or pub for grub and libations with which to wash it down. This is the social part of the hash, and the party may last from one hour to several hours, as they tell stories, have fun, and enjoy everyone's company.
Generally no reservations are required to join a group, and typically all that is needed is to find out the time and location of the start; either be emailing a current member, viewing the group website, calling the information phone line if available, and just showing up. Most groups conduct a "chalk talk" where introductions are made and the system of hash marks is explained to new hashers and visiting hashers who may be used to a different system of marking. The exception to this would be special events, such as camp out, pub crawls, etc., that require significant pre-planning of food and beverages, however even then walk-ins are generally welcome.
Traditions and naming convention
There are said to be no rules in hashing, however several traditions have developed with a violation of such severely frowned upon and likely to invoke a punishment by way of a "down-down". A down-down is one of the oldest traditions and is a means of punishing or rewarding pretty much anything. Upon being called to do a down-down the accused must come to the middle of the circle and drink everything that they have in their vessel (generally a cup, mug, or other drinking device). They must do this without pause until they have consumed the whole quantity of drink (typically beer, but it can be of any drink they may have with them) or they must pour the remaining contents over their head.
Typically there are no new shoes allowed on the hash trail whereas being caught in a pair of new shoes may require that one drinks from the offending shoe as penance. Other traditions include a prohibition of pointing with fingers, requiring the use of elbows or other appendages to indicate direction, and a proscription against the use of real names (aka nerd names) at any point around other hashers.
One aspect of hashing that makes the activity stand out (besides the running and general drinking of beer) is the use of names as assigned by the group. Though traditions may vary greatly among the groups, and some groups do not do this, it is common practice to give members a name. At their first hash, attendees will generally be known as "Virgin [Name]" or "New Boot [Name]" and will then be called "Just [Name]" until duly named by the group. The occasion of a member's naming by the group may occur after they have attended a specified number of hashes (e.g. 5), after they hare their first trail, or after they do something the pack deems noteworthy. Before a naming, the group may collect information concerning the individual or ask them a series of questions that can include occupation, most embarrassing moment, personal preferences, stories, or experiences. Others will then be allowed to share their own stories or knowledge concerning that individual in hopes of finding some aspect that seems to be memorable or noticeably sticks out regarding that person. Many suggestions may be offered, with the final name being chosen by vote or general group consensus with more often than not some humorous or debaucherous connotation being used.
The traditional symbol of the hash is the outline of the foot, with often the words "On-On" written upon it.
Terms
"Are You?" Question shouted by the pack to FRBs, meaning "Are you on the trail?" Back hare Hare who remains with the last runners
Bar Trail mark indicating that the true true trail branches off prior to the mark Beer Check Beverage stop or trail mark indicating a beverage stop
Check Trail mark indicating the true trail must be sought out from the false trails Check Back Same as false trail Circle Assembly of hashers at trail's end, normally for the purpose of conducting down-downs "Checking" Answer shouted by FRB to pack when asked "Are You?", indicating that FRB has not determined whether the trail he's following is true or false
"Check-it-out" Invitation given to the hounds by the hare to find the true trail Crop busting Short-cutting across a field
DFL Dead F***ing Last, Slowest member(s) of the pack
Down-Down The ceremony of quaffing a beverage (an honour) Dust Sawdust or flour used to mark the trail
Eurohash International hashing event held in Europe in odd-numbered years False trail A short trail ended with the Tee sign, three lines, or other mark indicating termination, see also Falsies
Falsie A false trail FRB Front-Running B*st*rd: Fastest member of the pack
Grand Mistress mismanagement member; sometimes used as the title for a female Grand Master. Grand Master (GM) mismanagement member, ceremonial leader of the hash
Hare Hasher who lays the trail Hash Cash Mismanagement member; the treasurer
Hash Horn Mismanagement member; carries a horn or bugle on trail, blows it to encourage and guide the pack Hash House The Selangor Club in Kuala Lumpur, meeting place of the Mother Hash
Hash House Harrier Any hasher Hare Raiser Mismanagement member in charge of lining up hares for future trails
Hashit offensive or embarrassing object given to a hasher for notable on-trail accomplishments, normally carried by the awardee on subsequent trails until it is awarded to someone else Hash Master (HM) Mismanagement member
Harriette Female hasher Hash Haberdasher Mismanagement member in charge of T-shirts, hats, mementos, etc
Hashing The act of running a hash trail Hasher Any Hash House Harrier
Hash Name Nickname, usually bestowed after a set number of runs or in honour of a notable incident; not used by all hashes Hash Mistress Mismanagement member. Generally has no useful function, but it keeps the girlies quiet.
Horrors Hashers' children Held Check Trail mark indicating an intersection where true trail may take another direction, but requires hashers to wait until ordered by the hare to 'check it out'
Hounds The body of hashers in pursuit of the hare, see also Pack Interhash regional, national, or world hash gathering
Kennel Local Hash Group Knitting Circle Group of harriers or harriettes (usually the latter) who spend more time walking and talking than hashing.
Ladies Check Harriettes to 'check it out' Live Hare Hare who gets a nominal head start and is pursued by the pack as he or she lays trail
"Looking" Answer shouted by FRB to pack when asked "Are You?", indicating that FRB has lost the true trail Mismanagement Hash officials; sometimes elected, sometimes appointed
Mutt A hashers dog Nash hash A national interhash
Newies Virgin hashers On-Inn Trail's end, also On-In; trail mark indicating proximity to end
"On On" Shouted by FRBs or hounds to indicate they're on trail, sometimes used only to indicate true trail; trail mark indicating true trail On Sec Mismanagement member normally in charge of hash rosters, run records, etc
Puppies hashers' children, see Horrors RA Religious Adviser/Advisor: mismanagement member normally in charge of blessing the hash and settling disputes over tradition; sometimes in charge of down-down ceremonies
Receding Hareline list of up-and-coming hash events, normally printed in The Words Scribe Mismanagement member normally in charge of writing The Words
Shiggy thick vegetation, streams, etc; especially mud SCB Short-Cutting Bastard: habitual short-cutter
Shagpile Hashname for a hasher of (alleged) extreme intelligence, good looks, sexual prowess but less than moderate fitness Strollers see knitting circle
'The Words' Weekly hash newspaper mainly recounting the events of the last run, written by the Hare(s) T(ee) Hash mark indicating a section of trail going nowhere, designed to slow down the pack
Tradition euphemism for "rule" Virgin Hash newbie
Special events
Sometimes a kennel will conduct a special event in place of a normal hash, that can consist of anything from a house party, camp out, or pub crawl. One of the most famous events is known as the 'Red Dress Run' and is held by most local chapters once a year. This tradition began in San Diego when a virgin (new) hasher showed up for a run wearing only a red dress (having been ill informed of what to expect). When she next returned, other hashers decided to wear a red dress as a joke; with it soon becoming an annual event and eventually spreading around the world. During this event, which can be either a normal hash run or a simple day-long pub crawl, everyone (yes, guys too) is to wear something red and dress-like, not specifically just a red dress. The idea is to just get crazy and have fun, with ideas ranging from red body latex paint to red duct tape, red sarongs, or a normal lovely summer dress, with all extremes being pretty well accepted. Hashers can usually be found digging through the racks at the local thrift stores a short time before the event. This is typically the largest event of the year for any kennel (local hash group) with attendance up to 2,000 (as seen in San Diego for a couple of years) and 500-600 in places such as Washington DC or New Orleans every year. Other variations of a theme can be seen, as kennels might also host a green dress run (often held around St. Patrick's day), formal dress run, lingerie hash, or even a clown hash where everyone wears the appropriate themed outfit for the run or pub crawl.
There are also bicycle hashes or BASHes, that have been formed, based on the same principles as the running hashs, but often without the ceremonial aspects. In many countries, there may be Children Hashes for those under 16, generally with soft drinks replacing beer and many adult themes being toned down considerably. There are also "Hash-O" events that combine elements of hashing and orienteering.
Goals
The goals of hashing, from a 1950 club registration card for the Hash House Harriers in Kuala Lumpur are:
To promote physical fitness among our members
To get rid of weekend hangovers
To acquire a good thirst and to satisfy it in beer
To persuade the older members that they are not as old as they feel
Worldwide International Hash
There are several international events, where hashers from different groups get together to run and drink beer together, but the most famous is the biennial Interhash, where hashers from around the world gather. The 2006 Interhash� Chiang Mai, offered runs in Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia and South West China. The next Interhash will be in Perth, Australia [1] in 2008
1978 Hong Kong
1980 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
1982 Jakarta, Indonesia
1984 Sydney, Australia
1986 Pattaya, Thailand
1988 Bali, Indonesia
1990 Manila, Philippines
1992 Phuket, Thailand
1994 Rotorua, New Zealand
1996 Limassol, Cyprus
1998 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
2000 Tasmania, Australia
2002 Goa, India
2004 Cardiff, Wales
2006 Chiang Mai, Thailand
2008 Perth, Australia -- scheduled 21 - 23 March, 2008 (
http://www.interhash2008.com)
Many countries also hold semi-annual national or continental events, such as the 2007 Inter-Americas H3, in Puerto Vallarta http://iah2007.org/, hosted by Mexico City
http://www.mchhh.com/; Aussie Nash Hash 2007, Fat Cat Nash Hash hosted by the combined Canberra clubs; Africa Hash 2007, Madness in Maputo hosted by the Maputo and Matola clubs; Eurohash � Held somewhere, nominally European; and the United Kingdom Nash Hash,always held on the August Bank Holiday and next hosted by Milton Keynes H3. The annual Indochina Mekong Hash will be held 26-28 October 2007 in Dalat/Vietnam.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hash_House_Harriers
