Overview

Avernakø Island has a 2024 population of about 120 people, which is roughly double that of neighboring Drejø Island.

 

Sadly, very few photographs exists to catalog the various folk costumes once worn on Avernakø. According to the Avernakø Local History Association, there has not yet been one agreed-upon costume accepted as the Avernakø costume, containing elements unique to the island.​

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Avernakø's Maypole Celebration (Majstangen)

Avernakø is famous for maintaining the Majstangen (Maypole) tradition, a rarity in modern Denmark. During the raising of the Maypole there on the Saturday before Pentecost (usually late May or early June), it is reported that various Danish folk costumes can be seen. However, those costumes are reportedly often in various Funen styles or that other South Funen Archipelago styles.

 

Women's Costume​

Silk kerchiefs were knotted at the back (nape) of the neck, rather than under the chin, and used a specific "Avernakø knot" [Lokalhistorisk Forening and Danmark National Museet].

Unlike the bright red used on Drejø and Lyø, Avernakø used a locally produced a brownish-red dye.

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Men's Costume​

Virtually nothing is known or documented about the men's costume that was unique or distinctive to the island. One might imagine that the men's attire was similar to that of surrounding islands.