Schwaebisch-alemannische Fastnacht - Munich

"Schalk wach uff – Schalk mach mit – Schalk kum ra s´isch Fasendszit".

These words are what begins the Gengenbacher Fasend. Three and one half weeks before Ash Wednesday, the community gathers to chant these words to "wake up" the Schalk. They gather in the middle of the night dressed in nightshirts called Hemdenklunker.

This begins the Fasching time as it is known in Baden. These events continue until Fasend- the last day before Ash Wednesday, when the city returns to its peaceful state. But until that moment walking through this region you will encounter many characters: witches, devils and people in all sorts of costumes throughout the three and a half week period. The finale is when they burn a three story high broom in front of the Rathouse.

The Schalk is the main figure of all of the Narren figures. He is the person that begins and ends the festivities here.

This photo and others are taken from: www.narrenzunft-gengenbach.de (copyright permission granted)

As I mentioned there are witches.

Only men can become witches. They belong to an exclusive club called the Hexenverein. It is difficult to become a member of this club which requires at least one Fasend being a Lumbenhund.

Here the men, soon to become witches, have to walk around all day and night stuffed with straw. They also have to work at the Hexenkellar which is only open during this yearly celebration. At the end, they must audition with a skit which is then voted on whether or not they can enter the Verein. They then wear the straw shoes, the striped socks, the wooden mask and carry the ubiquitous broom. They all speak in elevated voices keeping the community in the dark as to who hides behind the mask. However, what is interesting is that every region has a distinctive Narrenfigur. They exchange festivals where they all come and meet at the Narrentreff. Here you will see tens of different witches all with their distinctive costumes and carved masks. A complete outfit can cost well over 2000 euro. The mask alone is 200 euro.

But what about the women? The women also have a club. They are called Spättle. These women also run through the town bringing cheer and fright to everyone who dares to celebrate in the city.

The costumes are all handstitched and are incredible to witness. Except be careful or you may be hit on the head with a dried pig's bladder.

What makes this an exciting time is that everyone from two to seventy-two are out in the clubs, restaurants, streets and kneipen celebrating with one another. In fact, if you are lucky you may encounter someone playing in a Guggenmusik band. These are a collection of hand made instruments and kazoos playing melodies of such regional important songs such as, "The Simpson's Television Tune".

This great festival ends with the burning of the broom and then Schalk says,

"Höre, was ich euch will sage, glich duet d´ Glock jetzt Zwelfi schlage un mit´m letschde Zwelfischlag fangt a de Aschermittwochtag Drum gehen jetzt heim, ich bitt euch drum, d´Fasend isch jetzt us un rum Dien euch brav ins Bett nilege Vun Morge ab geht´s schu degege."

I highly recommend looking at the different manners in which Germany celebrates the Fasching time.