Link to an interesting page on Hash 'Usages' and 'Traditions'

History & Method

Cottage graphic

Introduction to Hashing for Virgins - By Tony

     Hashing is a social, recreational, cross-country, running for fun activity. It began in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 1938. Albert Gisbert, a chartered accountant, started up the harriers group from among bachelors of the day resident at Selangor Club Chambers.

     The "hash house" was the term by which the dining room annex was known, because of its cuisine.

     The hash trails were laid through the vast rubber plantations on the outskirts of KL. Since those early days, the number of hash chapters has increased, especially after WWII when allied troops picked up the idea and took it back home, to the point where there are now over 1,700 chapters in over 160 countries.

     The hares lay a trail (usually a couple of hours before the pack assembles) of flour, chalk, sawdust or shredded paper (anything biodegradable) over a course in urban or rural areas.
     A well laid trail should include false trails and check backs (with a refreshment beer stop in warm weather) and is designed to delay the front runners so that the slower members can catch up, thus ensuring that all hashers and harriettes arrive at the end of the trail within a few minutes of each other.
     A trail in Mauritius is generally between 60 and 90 minutes in duration and can be around 3 or 5 km. The Dodo Hash uses blobs of flour with crosses to indicate checks and parallel lines or a circle to indicate check backs. Flour is usually laid on the left and the golden rule is "three blobs and you are on".
     Hounds must shout their status when "Are you?" is called and replies should be "ON ON" if you are on flour; "Checking" if you are checking out the options at a check; "Checking One or Two" if you have sighted blobs after a check; "Check Back" or "False Trail" if you are returning from either and, finally, "Looking" if you are not on flour but casting for the trail.
Directional arrows should be discouraged as they allow FRBs to speed even further ahead.

There are various quaint rules and customs to be observed during and after the trail.
     Most hashers and harriettes have amusing handles and there are other names and terminology to be learnt. E.g. "We never run -- ...-- out of beer".
     On extremely rare occasions these rules are broken and the Grand Master or Religious Advisor metes out some mild but amusing sentences after the run itself. These punishments generally involve imbibing some liquids.
In case of accident a medical first aid kit was carried on the hash by Barnacle Bill (now posted to Washington so don't get hurt !)

Singers Words to global 'Hash Hymn'

Swing low, sweet chariot, coming for to carry me home;
I looked over Jordan and what did I see? Coming for to carry me home;
A band of angels coming after me, Coming for to carry me home;
*(repeat above until people start leaving)