SCHOKLAND

Initially, Schokland was part of a larger marshy peat area where agriculture was practiced. The reclamation of the peat marked the beginning of a Dutch tragedy. Over the centuries, the rising seawater eroded large pieces of peatland, and Schokland eventually became an island.
The villages of Emmeloord and Ens were dependent on each other, resulting in a lot of traffic between the two villages. Since parts of the island flooded during high tide, a wooden palisade was constructed along the entire eastern edge. A narrow walkway was mounted on these poles. At night and in bad weather, it was certainly not enjoyable to travel this walkway for two kilometers between the two villages. When Schokkers met each other on the narrow walkway, they would hold each other around the waist and turn together half a turn. They referred to this as the 'Schokker dance'.
In 1859, the islanders lost the fight against the water for good. The government decided that the residents had to leave the island. The approximately 635 'Schokkers' were forced to move to the mainland. Schokland continued to exist but became, in 1942, an island on dry land with the reclamation of the Noordoostpolder.

By the photo: Reconstruction of the palisade with walkway

Biker