Offenburg witches' guild

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Offenburg witch

The Offenburg Witches Guild e. V. is a carnival club in the tradition of the Swabian-Alemannic Fasent in Offenburg ( Ortenaukreis ). The guild was founded in 1935 and has been a member of the Association of Swabian-Alemannic Fools' Guilds , VSAN , since 1937 . The Offenburg witch was one of the first carnival witches .

history

In 1933 the Offenburg couple Karl and Pauline Vollmer created the first Offenburg witch . They were inspired by the Offenburg jester call “Schelle, schelle Sechser, alli alti witch.” When the VSAN's big fools meeting was held in Offenburg in 1935 (organized by the old historical fools' guild ), some witches smuggled their way into the parade and caused a stir with the visitors. The following year, on January 6, 1936, the Offenburg Witches' Guild was officially founded. Even then, the ceremony and the rules of conduct for the Offenburg witch were laid down and written down. The first wooden masks were designed by Karl Vollmer and made by the Elzach carver Karl Disch. In 1936 participation in the meeting of fools in Oberndorf am Neckar could already be recorded. In the following year, 1937, the Offenburg witch guild was accepted into the Association of Swabian-Alemannic Fools Guilds (VSAN).

characters

devil

devil

The devil represents the guild master and sorcerer . This is a single figure designed by founder Karl Vollmer in 1948. The devil leads the guild and acts as master of ceremonies in public appearances. The devil's mask has human as well as animal features such as horns.

Witch and old woman from Offenburg

witch

The witch is the central figure. Only men of legal age who have completed the two-year probationary period and have been elected by the general assembly of the guild can become a witch. The Offenburg witch consists of the individually made wooden mask with its distinctive red headscarf in the form of a Gothic hood. The red headscarf is always provided with white polka dots. Characteristic of the witch are her distinctive hooked nose and the broll eyes as well as the six braids made of straw. Underneath is the witch's jacket, called "Peter". This one is always black and has a little white pattern. The patterns differ from witch to witch. The red skirt reaches down to the calves and is finished with two black stripes. In addition, the witch wears multi-colored striped socks and straw shoes. A broom belongs to the witch figure.

Old Offenburg woman

The old Offenburg woman is dressed in the costume of an Offenburg citizen woman. This figure is not masked. Until 1950 the old Offenburg women wore wooden masks.

Spättlehansele

Spättlehansele

The Spättlehansele was designed in 1956 to give women the opportunity to actively participate in the action. The costume, called Häs, of this figure consists of a jacket and pants that are provided with patches of fabric, the so-called "Spättle", in the colors black, red, yellow, gray and green. A friendly, smiling wooden mask is also worn.

Büttel

Büttel

The male witch candidates of the guild are called Büttel or Sechser. This figure wears a green smock, which is printed with golden symbols such as Offenburg's city arms. In addition, the bailiff wears red trousers and a half mask with a beard on his face. In his hand he carries a bell called a bell. He uses this to ring parades and other events, announcing the approach of the witches.

Admission procedure

Only those who are at least 18 years of age can become active members. A detailed application must be submitted to the guild for admission. Afterwards, the sample can be accepted. The trial period is two years. Male applicants complete this time in the Häs (costume) of the Büttels , female applicants in the Häs des Spättlehanseles or the old Offenburgerin .

literature

  • Offenburg Witches Guild V .: Offenburg witches' guild . Offenburg
  • Offenburg Witches Guild V .: 65 years of Offenburger Hexenzunft e. V. Franz Huber printing + publishing house, Offenburg 2000

Web links

Commons : Offenburg Hexenzunft  - Collection of images, videos and audio files