Editing Amrum (section)

==Language and culture==
{{Unreferenced section|date=July 2019}}
The main language on Amrum is [[German language|German]]. The [[North Frisian language]] in the [[Öömrang]] dialect is spoken by roughly a third of the population. Those 800 Amrumers are all multilingual. Due to the isolated location of the islands, the North Frisian dialects developed so differently, that ''Öömrang'' can be understood by people from Föhr, yet is hardly recognisable for those from Sylt or mainland Nordfriesland. Many Amrumers moreover speak [[Low German]], since it had been the language of the coastal sailors. Only a few people speak the [[Danish language]].

Amrum's [[national costume]] for girls and women is coloured black and white and is amply decorated with silver ornaments. It is mostly worn on [[confirmation]] services or at tourist events.

There are two peculiar traditions on Amrum. On February 21 the ''[[Biikebrennen|Biakendai]]'' is celebrated, where a great bonfire is lit to dispel winter. On the occasion, people blacken each other's faces with soot. The festival originates from the old liturgical holiday of [[Cathedra Petri]], which was originally celebrated on February 22. The custom is also popular in other North Frisian municipalities. On [[New Year's Eve]] the ''Hulken'' takes place, where groups of mostly young people dress up in costumes and walk from house to house to let others guess their true identity (similar to [[Halloween]]). Depending on their age, they are either treated with sweets or alcoholic drinks.