Rama dama
Rama Dama or Ramadama (Bavarian: "We are cleaning!") is called in Bavaria an organized cleanup, collecting waste in public space (both in nature and in residential areas), under the voluntary involvement of the population. The organization is taken over by communities, schools, associations or citizens' initiatives.[1]
Background
Thomas Wimmer, the then Mayor of Munich, called on 29 October 1949 to "Rama dama" for the first time. It was about the elimination of the war damages and screes in the city. More than 7500 volunteers followed the call. Wimmer also worked with a shovel. In total, more than 15,000 cubic meters of rubble were collected that day. The term remained as designation for the common, honorary tidying up.[2]
Similar events for collecting waste by voluntary are happen outside Bavaria, too.
References
- Abfallwirtschaftsbetrieb München: Ramadama - Aufräumen für München.
- Kerstin Lottritz: Vor 60 Jahren: Das erste „Rama Dama“, 4. November 2009