Gabber

Youth movement of the 1990s, in the milieu of rave parties, in Holland. Groups of gabbers have also formed in Italy, especially in the north, where they have chosen their cult locations: the former Dylan in Coccaglio (Brescia) and the Gheodrome in Rimini. There are estimated to be around 20,000 members and, considering the many Internet sites dedicated to this “culture,” the figure is believable. The average age is between 13 and 23, and, like many other youth movements, the members can be distinguished by their adopted uniform: Lonsdale button-neck jerseys, Nike shoes, tight jeans or Australian tracksuits, leather jackets, and baseball caps, in addition to the indispensable T-shirts of their favorite artists (Rotterdam Terror Corps or DJ Paul). Number one in their interests is, of course, music, especially the frenzied and deafening rhythms of hardcore and techno. Boys have shaved heads. The girls wear their hair long on top and very short below. The hard core members of the movement are called warriors and are recognizable by their colored tufts of hair and numerous piercings.