Enjoying the Culture 207In two neighbouring villages in the Lungau region in
Salzburg, there are beautiful processions celebrating Saint
John (24 June) and Saint Paul (29 June). Each procession is
heralded with beautifully-decorated poles called Prangstangen,
6–8 m tall, weighing 45–80 kg, and covered with garlands of
40,000 flowers. Only single, eligible men may carry the poles.
They wear a traditional costume with a heavy white scarf
tied around one shoulder, which the pole is then fitted into.
After the procession, the poles are brought into the church
and remain there until 15 August, Assumption Day.
The poles are made lovingly by farming families. A
week before each procession, wildflowers such as daisies,
arnica, pinks, gentians and lady’s mantle are collected.
The women make up the garlands and the men tie them
around the poles. The origins of the tradition are not
known. Some believe that several centuries ago, a plague
of locusts and beetles destroyed the harvest and ate the
trees. A vow was made soon thereafter to protect trees and
crops forevermore from a plague of that nature; decorating
the poles symbolised disguising the crops and trees from
their destroyers.
15 August is Assumption Day (Maria Himmelfahrt), when
the Virgin Mary ascended to heaven. In parts of western
Austria, it is also when the church blesses a variety of herbs.
Different herbs are collected depending upon the region. In
Lofer in Salzburg province, the bunch should consist of 72
different herbs. Small bunches are more common, but they
should contain at least the following herbs: arnica, goldenrod,
camomile, brown gentian, mint, yarrow, woodruff and
horsetail—all sun-dried in the garden. Some are added to
cattle fodder to make the animals more resistant to disease,
and some burned at Christmas and New Year to bring good
luck and prosperity.
Samson the Giant
In the Lungau region in Salzburg and around Murau in Styria,
several villages have a giant they call Samson. This giant is a
symbol of strength. One man carries Samson, a figure usually
6 metres tall made from wood and papier-mâché, wearing