The "Krapfenpeaschteln"

The "Krapfenpeaschteln" Raven Ferdinand from the Kufsteinerland narrates: KRAH! In many Alpine valleys, old folk customs have long persisted. However, some traditions have indeed disappeared – like the "Krapfenpeaschteln" in Thiersee, of which only a legend remains... In numerous places in the Lower Inn Valley of Tyrol, the Perchten or Peaschteln roam during the nights between December 6th and January 6th. The lads wear animal skins and demonic, wooden-carved masks with long horns, along with switches and loud cowbells or bells. In the Krapf farmhouse in Thiersee, there was a carver who knew how to make particularly gruesome masks. In his workshop, twelve lads put on their costumes on Epiphany and then noisily descended into the village. When they arrived there, they were suddenly thirteen, but nobody noticed. At the village square, the Peaschten began a fiery round dance, during which they performed the wildest stunts. One even jumped over the pillar of the village fountain. "Sakradi – what a leap! Who was that?" marveled one of the lads enviously and scrutinized his comrades more closely. There, he discovered that one too many was present – and that this one had a black goat's foot! Then he realized who had jumped and screamed in fear, "The devil himself is among us!" The spectators scattered screaming, and the lads hurried back to Krapf's. But when they arrived there, they were only eleven! The wildest one from their group had been taken by the devil. Then the others vowed that from then on, they would abandon all excessive wildness, only go about as peaceful Peaschteln, and ask the Thiersee farmers for donuts. And so it remained for a long time, until this custom also faded away around the year 1900. The Peaschteln collected their donuts in a woven backpack, a "Buckelkraxe" – so this collecting basket was a KRAPFEN-PEASCHTLKRAPFENBUCKELKRAXN. Who can say this word correctly more than five times in a row? ... KRAH!