Enjoying the Culture 203to be unclean, they threaten to open the stomach of the
housewife. The stomach is considered a symbolic receptacle
for the filth swept up by the Perchtens’ broom. However,
when they are entertained with food, wine and gifts, they
forget to look too closely in all the corners and instead frolic
and have fun with the owners of the households.
Easter Holidays
Shrove Tuesday (Fat Tuesday, Fasching or Carnivale) is the day
before Lent. More importantly, it refers to a period of time
when many festivals are celebrated throughout Austria up to
and including the last day for drinking alcohol and feasting
on certain foods before the abstinence of Lent begins.
A popular alpine festival is the Schemenlaufen of
Nassereith in Tyrol, held once every three years on the
last Sunday before Lent. The Scheller symbolises the male
element, or winter, while the Roller is the female component,
or spring. Three sweepers, beautifully dressed in carved
wooden masks and wearing crowns made with feathers (a
fertility symbol), finery, ribbons and mirrors are assigned to
the Roller, to sweep away the snow, or winter. Also included
in the procession are Kübellmajen, or witches; Engelspritzer,
the Moors who splash water according to the ritual of an
ancient fertility cult; Ruassler, who instill respect in the
crowd; Sackner, who keep order; and Schnöller, who drive
away winter with long-handled whips. The highlight is the
fight between the bear and the Scheller. The bear symbolises
fertility (spring) and must always win the fight against the
evil Scheller (winter).
Bonfire Sunday in Vorarlberg celebrates a heathen ritual
very likely started by the Celts. The bonfires can reach as
high as 15 metres, and are lit several days before the first
Sunday in Lent. Schoolchildren go around begging for wood
and straw, and a bonfire master supervises the making of
the bonfire.
Easter (Ostern), the day of Christ’s resurrection, is heralded
with more carnivals, processions, concerts and costumes. It is a
day of joy following the lean and pensive 40 days of Lent. Most
towns and cities have Easter markets where Easter baskets,