Pomping is a tradition associated with homecoming at some universities in the Southern United States, such as the University of Alabama or Oklahoma State University. The term refers to the act of creating lawn decorations or floats out of pomps, or wads of colored tissue paper placed in chicken wire. It is typically associated with Greek life, and sororities may compete to win the lawn decoration contest.[1]
Bottom: The image zoomed in to show the individual pomps
Origins
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Pomping is documented in newspaper articles dating back to the 1930s.[2]
Process
editDesigns are planned in the weeks proceeding homecoming. At the University of Alabama, the tissue paper is individually rolled into small balls.[citation needed] At Oklahoma State University, the tissue paper is pushed into the chicken wire without rolling, which allows for larger lawn decorations to be made in the same amount of time.[3] At the University of Tennessee, pomps are used to decorate floats in addition to lawn decorations.[4]
References
edit- ^ Ruffin, Jessica (9 October 2011). "Delta Zeta wins lawn decoration contest". The Crimson White. Retrieved 2024-11-30.
- ^ Knox, Brittney (14 October 2010). "The stories behind homecoming traditions". The Crimson White. Retrieved 2024-11-30.
- ^ "The Art and Science of Pomping". Video | Oklahoma State University. 6 March 2018. Retrieved 2024-11-30.
- ^ "UT's Greek Life Pomping Tradition". The Daily Beacon. 2022-10-24. Retrieved 2024-11-30.