about German/Austrian Fastnacht
The Swabian-Alemannic carnival begins on January 6
(Epiphany/Three Kings Day). This celebration is known
as Fastnacht (literally "Fasting Eve" as it originally
referred to the eve of the fasting season).
Variants are Fasnet, Fasnacht or Fasent.
Fastnacht is held in Baden-Württemberg, parts of Bavaria,
and Alsace. Switzerland and Vorarlberg, in Austria,
also hold this celebration. The festival starts on
the Thursday before Ash Wednesday, known in these regions
as Schmotziger Donnerstag or Fettdonnerstag.
In Standard German, schmutzig means "dirty",
but in the Alemannic dialects schmotzig means "fat";
"Greasy Thursday", as remaining winter stores of lard
and butter used to be consumed at that time,
before the fasting began. Elsewhere the day is called
"Women's Carnival" (Weiberfastnacht),
being the day when tradition says that women take control.
In particular regions of Tyrol, Salzburg and Bavaria
traditional processions of the Perchten welcome
the springtime. The Schönperchten (beautiful Perchts)
represent the birth of new life in the awakening nature,
the Schiachperchten ("ugly Perchts") represent
the dark spirits of wintertime.
Farmers yearn for warmer weather
and the Perchtenlauf (Run of Perchts; typical scenery)
is a magical expression of that desire.
The nights between winter and spring,
when evil ghosts are supposed to go around,
are also called Rauhnächte (rough nights).
Mask of an "ugly Percht"
and The Ahland,
a Fasnet figure of Rottenburg am Neckar
Have fun friends
~Whitewolfe~
