Klaus driving

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Klaus costumes

The Klausenttrieb is a traditional custom in the Alemannic Alpine region , in which on December 5th or 6th, young men disguised and masked with rods beat the onlookers on the streets of the city or village, making a lot of noise. In the Allgäu the custom is called Klausentritten , in Switzerland Klausjagen or Chlausjagen . In the Bavarian-Austrian Eastern Alps and adjacent areas, this corresponds to the Krampus run .

Origin and type of tradition

Klaus driving in Sonthofen

The origin of the custom is disputed. Some authors attribute it to moves from pagan times. Even during the Swedish War, this custom was not entirely abandoned. In the past, the cold and dark winter in particular was dominated by dark figures, demons, brides and especially by the wild hunt . The single boys disguised themselves with furs and animal skins of all kinds and tied bells and chains around their bodies in order to rumble through the towns and houses at night with as much noise as possible. With the horns and the wild hat (garment), but above all with loud shouts, the rattling of chains and the ringing of bells and bells, one wanted to keep these figures away, frighten them and drive them away; one wanted to pretend that ghosts were already up here. The "Häträger" always tried to look as terrifying as possible.

Originally, the Klausen used wooden masks like in the Krampus run. Over the years, fur and leather masks also came into use. So the appearance of the Klausen changed constantly over the years, but it always remained with furs and animal skins and the familiar horns. The clamp size varied from small chains to huge pull clamps. Originally wrapped in cowhides, new types of animal hides and skins were added. Tails and horns adorned the dark fellows. Up to the present day the Klausen are constantly impressing with new ideas and innovations based on these principles. The wild blows on passers-by and objects came from the fact that anything moving or looking suspicious should be driven away.

According to one theory of the origin, such parades should have been put on St. Nicholas Day in the course of Christianization. The development of this custom in the Middle Ages is also discussed in connection with the merging of the customs of appointing a child bishop with parades on the feast of St. Nicholas on December 6th, most of whom were accompanied by several devil figures. This custom was called "Klausen" in several regions, including in southern Germany. These devils were also clothed and masked with skins. There is no evidence of a direct connection between the St.

exercise

In the Alpine region, the Klausentreibe was revived in the 20th century. On the nights around St. Nicholas Day on December 6th, men dress up with furs and also wear a fur-covered helmet, which is usually adorned with horns. The so-called "hatred" also includes bells or cowbells, which reinforce the terrifying impression with their noise. Disguised in this way, the Klausen, led by the “Oberklaus”, enter the market square or, as is also common in some communities, move in small groups from house to house in order to destroy the evil spirits of winter and darkness with their wild goings-on to evict.

literature

  • Werner Mezger: St. Nikolaus between cult and slapstick , Schwabenverlag 1993, ISBN 3-796-60723-3
  • Johannes Ries: Masks violence - the driving of Klaus, a winter custom in the Allgäu , Leipziger Universitätsverlag 2004, ISBN 3-937-20947-6
  • Roland Girtler, Ernst Brodträger: Greetings from Krampus - Resurrection of a devilish cult figure , Popular Art published by Christian Brandstätter Vienna-Munich 2001 ISBN 3-85498-129-5
  • Wolfgang Petz (Hrsg.): Funkenhex 'and Wilde Männle - Allgäuer Customs in the Annual Circle , Verlag für Heimatpflege Kempten im Heimatbund Allgäu eV 1991 ISBN 3-88019-027-5
  • Alfons Schweiggert: Winter and Christmas ghosts in Bavaria , Bayerland publishing house, 1996 ISBN 3-89251-231-0
  • Paul Werner, Richilde Werner: Christmas customs in Bavaria - cultural history of customs from Advent to Holy Three Kings , Plenk Berchtesgaden publishing house 1st edition 1999 ISBN 3-927957-17-8
  • Kurt Grafschafter: Wild Hunt - Nikolaus, Krampusse, Perchten and other wintry society , 2nd updated and greatly expanded edition, Context Verlag 2009 ISBN 978-3-902492-06-7

See also