Aminer's habit (German:Berghabit orBergmannshabit) is the traditional dress of miners in Europe. The actual form varies depending on the region, the actual mining function, and whether it is used for work or for ceremonial occasions.
At work, the miner of theMiddle Ages in Europe wore the normal costume for his local region –pit trousers (Grubenhose),shoes and miner's jacket (Bergkittel).
Only gradually was the typical miner's uniform created by the addition of unmistakable elements of miner's apparel such as theminer's apron (Arschleder),knee pads (Kniebügel),miner's cap (Fahrhaube orFahrkappe, later pit hat (Schachthut), themining tools needed for work in the pit, such ashammers (Fäustel), chisels (Eisen),wedges,picks (Keilhauen),hoes (Kratze),shovels,crowbars, pikes (Brechstangen) or miner'schisels (Bergeisen),mallets (Schlägel) or carpenter'shatchets, the miners'safety lamps (often aFroschlampe), and theTzscherper bag (for the miner's knife (Tzscherpermesser) and lamp accessories likerape oil,flint andtinder).[1]
There were specific accoutrements for the individual trade groups. The mining foreman orSteiger, for example, carried theSteigerhäckel, a simplehewer (Häuer) bore a miner's hatchet (Grubenbeil). Able miners (Doppelhäuer) carried a miner's axe (Bergbarte orBergparte), which was simultaneously a tool and a weapon. The smelters (Hüttenleute) wore theleather apron as apinafore (Schürze) in front of them (i.e. "back to front") and carried various implements: theFirke orFurkel, therake (Rechen) and thetapping bar (Stecheisen orAbstichlanze).
In 1769 in Saxony, theMarienbergBergmeister,von Trebra, introduced the wearing of the black mining habit.[2]
The variety of mining habits may still be seen in the mining processions typical of the old mining regions even today.
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