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innsbruck.info/8bDAS AXAMER WAMPELERREITEN
wurde 2016 von der UNCESO zum immateriellen Kulturerbe
Österreichs gekürt und ist ein Hauptbestandteil des umfangrei-
chen Axamer Faschingstreibens. Die Wampeler (Wampe bedeutet
dicker Bauch) sind leicht zu erkennen: Mit einer weißen „Pfoat“
(Leinenhemd), die mit Heu ausgestopft wird, einem breiten Leder-
gurt, einem roten Rock über der Hose und einem Stock in der Hand
kommen sie daher, maskiert mit einer traditionell geschnitzten
Holzmaske und einer schwarzen Fuzzelhaube. Ihre Gegenspieler
sind die „Reiter“, deren Ziel es ist, die
Wampeler auf den Rücken zu werfen. Der
Wampeler symbolisiert dabei den Winter,
der vom Frühling (den Reitern) besiegt
wird. Übrigens stopften sich unsere Ahnen
einst zum Bärenfang Heu und Laub unter
die Kleidung, um sich vor Verletzungen
zu schützen. Darum führen die Axamer
bei ihrem Umzug auch einen Bären mit.
Zu den besten Wampelern zählen am
Ende, nach zwei Runden durch das Dorf,
jene, deren Rücken „weiß“ – also sauber –
geblieben ist.
Dorfplatz Axams, Donnerstag,
23.02.2017, 12:30 Uhr
AXAMS’ “WAMPELERREITEN”
is a very special Tyrolean carnival custom,
deeply steeped in tradition. In 2016, it
was recognized by UNSESCO as intangible
cultural heritage. The “Wampeler” (literal-
ly the “fat-bellied one”) wears a straw-
stuffed linen shirt, a wide leather belt
and a red skirt above his pants. He also
holds a stick in his hand. What stands out
most is his fascinating, carved wooden mask with a black, fussy
hat placed on top. During the parade, the “riders” have to try to
throw the straw-stuffed “Wampeler” on their backs. The struggle
between the “Wampeler” and the “riders”, played by local men and
boys, symbolises the battle between the departing winter and the
arriving spring. An interesting fact is that our ancestors used to
stuff their clothes with straw and leaves when they went hunting
to protect themselves from injuries. For this reason, also a bear
is part of the parade. After the parade, the best “Wampelers” are
celebrated and also those ones, whose shirts are still white, which
means no one was able to throw them to the ground.
Village square Axams, Thursday, 23/02/2017 12:30 pm
vate homes. It was a common practice to visit the neighbours after
December 25 and to have a look at their nativity scenes. The guests
received a shot of schnapps, and instead of saying “Prost” (Cheers)
they said “Gloria”. Today, the so-called “Gloria-drinking” is still part of
the nativity scene admiration.
Alpine spooks
The Rauhnächte or Twelve Nights take place between December 21
and January 6 marking the coming of the Epiphany (December 21/22
- Thomas Night, winter solstice, the longest night of the year; Decem-
ber 24/25; December 31/January
1, January 5/6).
During this time, the wild
chase takes place: Sinister folk-
loric beings roam through the
country accompanied by horrible
groans and cries. Strict rules had
to be followed on those nights:
The house had to be impecca-
ble; making a mess was not al-
lowed. The worst thing to do was
to hang the white washing on the
line, as malevolent spirits would
steal the white sheets and use
them as a shroud for the owner. It
was also forbidden to play cards.
Generally speaking, it was best to
behave as unobtrusively as pos-
sible, only tranquillity was toler-
ated.
In some regions, the Perchten,
who were in charge of driving out
evil spirits with whips and bells,
monitored those regulations.
There are two types of Perchten
to be distinguished: the beautiful Perchten and the ugly Perchten. La-
dy Perchta (Frau Perchta) is associated with the Perchten. In contempo-
rary culture, Perchta is portrayed as a rewarder of the generous, and the
punisher of the bad, particularly for children. The old woman is a spooky
character with shaggy hair and dirty clothes, long teeth and an iron
nose. “This person has a pretty scary appearance and I cannot blame
anybody for running away from her. In the twelfth night, the night be-
fore Perchten Day, which was named after her, she flies across the skies
and scares poor wanderers to death (…).” (From the book: Tiroler Volksle-
ben. Ein Beitrag zur deutschen Volks- und Sittenkunde. By Ludwig Hör-
mann, Stuttgart 1909).
In order to calm Perchta, people put some food and a glass of milk
in front of their doors or on their roof. Another bad trait of Perchta is
stealing small children. Therefore, on January 6 (Epiphany), babies wer-
en’t put in their cradle, but underneath. A safe remedy for this horrible
person was burning incenses. All windows and doors had to be shut and
during the entire evening, no one was allowed to leave.
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