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Christmas Time
by Dr. Viktor Pratscher
Translated
by Brad
Schwebler
At Christmas time the
children go "Zammetran?" just like at Easter time. Already on the
evening before the Christ child comes, or the "Starrnickel?", but
today the tenderly raised children are not so energetic as in
earlier times. The Christmas trees of our grandparents were much
simpler than today. Usually a blackthorn branch was replaced with
some apples and nuts on the Christmas tree. On the Christmas tree
(Boxing Day) the lads ride out and receive from the girls ribbons in
a row.
Besides the reverence for
Sylvester in the church, no events take place in the passing of the
last days of the year. In the night one can still encounter the "Stornickel?".
He has a large felt cap, the "Schlaraffegsicht" (Cockaigne face),
horns and a shaggy "Bunda?" on and his appearance with rattling
chains and the "Bumschell?", as well as his "Scheerestang?" (pole),
he also hunts the courageous children whose legs are trembling.
[Published at
DVHH.org Oct 2005 by Jody McKim Pharr]
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