Overview
- Kassel’s Märchenweihnachtsmarkt has banned the use of the name, emailing vendors on November 22 and warning that repeat violations could lead to exclusion.
- Bremerhaven’s organizer requested sellers stop using the label and suggested alternatives such as hot chocolate with rum or the regional name Tote Tante.
- Regional responses vary: Baunatal imposes no ban and leaves decisions to vendors, Wolfhagen reports sales without the name and favors no strict mandate, and Sababurg says it would forbid the label if offered.
- Stall operators are relabeling the rum cocoa with neutral or playful terms including Kakao mit Schuss, heiße Schokolade mit Rum, and Lamumba.
- Online reaction has been largely critical with comments calling the move “ridiculous,” while some back the change by noting Lumumba’s killing in 1961.