Goat Maid

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Each year a particularly unpopular, unmarried woman would be designated as the Ziegenmadchen or goat maid. The goat maid would serve as a scapegoat, to carry away with her the misfortune of the village. The iron goat mask would be forced onto her head. She would be marched through the streets of the village at the head of a jeering crowd. In the village square her body would be anointed with a mixture of tar and goat fur and the musk of female goats in heat. Then a large male goat that had been kept away from the females all breeding season would be released. The crowd would cheer as it had its way with her. When she finally broke free the goat and the mob would chase her out of the village.

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The goat maid is dragged into the street to face her fate.

Fitted with her mask

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The goat maid is paraded through the street.

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She is mounted upon the goat.

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Her body, rejected by the men of the village. Now is inspected by the goat.

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She rode the goat. Now it is the goat's turn.