It was in the 1830s that the "Westpfälzer Wandermusikantentum", a musical movement that saw local "Musikanten" – literally “minstrels” – travel all over the world, began. Its heyday fell between 1850 and the First World War. Eßweiler was one of the main centres of what is now known as the "Musikantenland", seemingly contributing a disproportionate share of these musicians. Some 300 musicians spread out from here in the 19th century and went throughout the world, mostly to North and South America, but also to Australia, China and Africa. Unlike the more permanent emigrants, most of these “wandering minstrels” eventually came back, even though for some, the journey could last several years. Well known musicians from Eßweiler include: