Pre-Christian Alpine traditions
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The central and eastern
Survival through the ages
Ancient customs survived in the
Pastoral traditions
Around September 8, the feast of the Nativity of Mary, it is customary to bring the cattle down from the
Winter traditions
Krampus
The word Krampus originates from the
Perchten
Originally, the word Perchten (plural of Perchta) referred to the female masks representing the entourage of an ancient goddess, Frau Perchta, or Pehta Baba as it is known in Slovenia. Some claim a connection to the Nordic goddess Freyja, though this is uncertain. Traditionally, the masks were displayed in processions (Perchtenlauf) during the last week of December and first week of January, and particularly on January 6. The costume consists of a brown wooden mask and brown or white sheep's skin. In recent times Krampus and Perchten have increasingly been displayed in a single event, leading to a loss of distinction of the two. Perchten are associated with midwinter and the embodiment of fate and the souls of the dead. The name originates from the Old High German word peraht ("brilliant" or "bright").
Sometimes,
Spring traditions
Chalandamarz is an ancient festival celebrated by the Romansh speaking part of the Swiss Canton Graubünden. It is celebrated on the first of March and marks the end of winter and the arrival of spring. Its object is to scare away the evil spirits of winter and wake up the good spirits of spring.[3]
Badalisc
The Badalisc is a "good" mythological animal who lives in the woods of Andrista, in Val Camonica, Italy. During an annual town festival someone dresses up as the creature and is "captured" and brought to the town. The animal is made to tell the people of the town gossip. At the end of the festival the creature is released until the next year's ceremony.[4]
Gallery
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Krampus
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Krampus, Salzburg 2008
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Procession in Klagenfurt
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The Badalisc in Val Camonica
See also
- Kallikantzari
- Berchtoldstag
- Fasnacht
- Funkenfeuer
- Busójárás
- Kurentovanje
- La Vijanera
- Zvončari
- History of the Alps
- Transhumance in the Alps
- Rhaetians
- Alemanni
- Swiss folklore
- Continental Germanic mythology
- Pre-Christian traditions of the Low Countries
- Companions of Saint Nicholas
- Namahage
References
- Wenn die Hexen umgehen, Claudia Lagler, 5 January 1999, Die Presse (newspaper), (in German)
External links
- Swiss neopagan site focussing on pre-Christian Alpine traditions (in German)
- Swiss legends and Austrian legends on Sagen.at (in German)