Fropbaand

File:Fropbaand dancers.jpg

A troupe of fropbaand dancers in Marden, Wel province

A fropbaand (pronounced /ðɾopbäːn/, alternatively known as a sdadbaand) is a style of musical group integral to Vyvlander folk music. It is usually comprised of ten to thirty members, and is associated with traditional Vyvlander village culture; the name 'fropbaand' derives from 'frop', meaning village, and 'baand', meaning an instrumental group. Typical instruments played by a fropbaand include accordions, trombones and tubas, often in an oom-pah rhythm, although some resemble small orchestras in character.

Frobaands are generally accompanied by folk dancers, whose numbers may vary wildly depending on the size of the community out of which the group is formed. They tend to comprise of younger men and women, and occasionally children. They often congregate on market or church squares at the centre of villages; it is traditional to do this on Sundays, after church services, although with decreased church attendance, fropbaands are now also commonly found playing on Saturdays and evenings.

Fropbaands have traditionally been an integral part of village life in most areas of Vyvland, especially in the summer months. It is common for children to learn to play instruments through a fropbaand, although bands are not usually integrated with schools. However, with increased urbanisation in Vyvland, fropbaands are becoming less common, despite efforts to preserve them and pride in their traditions. In recent years, some urban fropbaands, often known as sdadbaands, have continued to play traditional fropbaand music within cities.