Some Year End Traditions
Some of the traditions we have in Austria will be familiar to many people but there are some that I believe to be unique amongst the Germanic peoples and in some cases specific to Austria.
We hang up our Advent Calendar and normally have an Adventkranz (Advent Wreath) in a prominent place in our home. This can be highly decorated but in its simplest form the wreath is donut shaped, about the size of a dinner plate and woven from the thin flexible branches of an evergreen tree; four candles are attached to the top. On the fourth Sunday before Christmas a candle is lit and is allowed to burn for a few hours before it is extinguished. On the next Sunday the first candle is relit together with a second. This process is repeated each week and on the Sunday before Christmas all four candles are lit.
One of the gentlest pieces of folklore I have come across since I came to live in Austria is associated with Saint Barbara who, incidentally, happens to be the patron saint of miners. According to this custom it is necessary to collect small branches from a cherry tree on the 4th December and put them into water in a vase just as you would with a bunch of flowers. If the branches produce blossoms by Christmas then there will be a wedding in the family during the next year. My wife followed this practice last Christmas and a few of the branches blossomed. At the time we didn’t know her elder son would marry ten months later.
Another tradition concerns the Holy St. Nikolaus (who should not be confused with Santa Klaus) and the Krampus.
On the 5th December and carrying a big book in which everything a child has done during the past year is carefully recorded, St. Nikolaus visits the home of every child. Naturally a child who has been good receives a present but a child who has been naughty is given to the Krampus.
The Krampus is the exact opposite of St. Nikolaus. It is a huge, hairy, horned and threatening creature dressed in unrelieved black fur and it loudly rattles the chains and violently rings the bells it carries. It is a frightening spectacle made worse by the fact that the Krampus carries a whip, which he uses freely and a big wicker pannier on his back in which all the naughty children are placed before being taken away.
Years ago St. Nikolaus and the Krampus used to visit the children in school on the 5th December but the authorities that regulate such matters decided that this was too frightening for impressionable children and the practice was banned. When you look at the illustration of the Krampus and imagine this evil looking apparition appearing suddenly and noisily in the safe haven of the classroom, you will understand why some of the children were rather frightened.
All is not lost however and if you wish to see St. Nikolaus and the Krampus it is only necessary to venture into the centre of Klagenfurt, or any other large Austrian town during the evening of 5th December, and there you will find lots of parents and children enjoying the spectacle (and the fear) of the Krampus procession. And of course if you are unlucky enough to get too close to a Krampus you could find yourself being whipped, as the Krampus is no respecter of people – male or female.
Like most Christian families we have a Christmas tree (Weinachtsbaum) that is decorated with ornaments and candles. However the tree is not dressed until 24th December, which is the most important day of Christmas in Austria, and the family meal that celebrates the occasion is eaten in the evening. This is usually fish with vegetables and is accompanied with a green salad. Before the meal, Father reads to the family from the Gospel according to St. John and then after dinner everyone congregates by the Weinachtsbaum in order to give and also to receive the presents that have been placed under the tree during the day. Austrian children grow up believing that their presents are brought by the Christkind (the baby Jesus) and where it is possible the parents of small children will conceal the Weinachtsbaum and the presents in a separate room to maintain the suspense and surprise of the occasion for as long as possible.
Another custom and one that the farmers observe at midnight on 24th December, is to carry burning Weihrauch (incense) through all the farm buildings including the stables in which their animals are kept. This is done in order to purge any evil spirits that could be lurking there. The associated superstition is that the stabled animals are able to talk at midnight.
Schappen (Karinthian dialect word), takes place on 28 December which is the anniversary of the day King Herod ordered the murder of new born boys. Children are encouraged to visit the homes of neighbours and gently spank the occupants with birch twigs whilst reciting a rhyme to bring good luck to the house. It is a very welcome visit and the children are rewarded with sweets or a coin.
During the wild nights around 6th January another old custom is celebrated. This time it involves the Perchten who are similar in appearance to the Krampus. The Schiachperchten (the ugly ones) drive away the ghosts and evil spirits and especially the bleak, dark winter weather. The Schönperchten (the beautiful ones) on the other hand, are responsible for preventing mischief and for bringing luck and wealth to the people.
At about this same time we receive a visit from the Drei Könige (Three Kings or the Three Magi). An adult from the parish accompanies four children from house to house. Three of the children are dressed as the three kings and the fourth carries a golden star on a staff (der Sternträger). They sing a song, say a prayer to bring good luck to the inhabitants and then write in chalk at the top of the front door the initial letter of the name of each of the three kings and the year. This year it was 20 C+M+B 07. They also collect donations for a specific charity at the same time.
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John Langdon
Klagenfurt
December 2007.