Customs in the SalzkammergutBevore the adventClementi celebration Celebration by the lumberjacks (23. november - clemens) Kathrein dance at the end of november: last time dancing bevore new year (25. november - Katharina) AdventBarbara celebration 4. december by the miners in the Barbara chapells inside the mountains. Holy Barbara is the protectress of sudden death. Santa Claus In these days Passen with different figures (in some regions also called "Miglon"), like Krampus, bishop, Graß-devil, Ganggerln, Miglomandl and -weibl, Nikolomandl and -weibl go from house to house. The holy bishop Nikolaus asks the kids if they've been good during the last year. Who has been good gets presents and who hasn't gets a birching from the Krampus. In Bad Mitterndorf is a traditional Nikolo-play and the performance of the Schab. Cribs During the advent are many exhibitions of cribs. Many of these cribs are private and can be seen in an organized journey, the Kripperlroas, sometimes with horse-drawn carriages, like in Bad Ischl. Ischler crib-play can be seen every 4 years. It is the oldest religious peoples' play in Upper Austria. RauhnächteThe number of the nights Rauhnächte differs regional, but 4 of them are very important: the plump ones (24.12. and 5.1.) and the slim ones (21.12. and 31.12.). In these nights wild daemons go around and the animals can speak. In the Rauhnacht the house and the yard have to be smoked out (see also christmas), it is vorbidden to play cards and it's recommended to be wary of the "wild hunt". It isn't also allowed to dry clothes, otherwise someone of the family or in the neigbhourship will die. There are many legends about the Rauhnächte and everything what happens then.Thomas night The night between the 21. and the 22. december has the meaning of an oracle. There will be played games which show the future. Christmas
|