3 minute read
the loose in Neustift
THE MASCHGER CARNIVAL FIGURES ARE ON THE LOOSE IN NEUSTIFT
When the Maschger procession moves through Neustift again between Epiphany and Ash Wednesday, things really liven up in the inns. With music, dancing and old traditions, the carnival is all about making sure that winter makes way for spring, so the harvest in the valley will be good and plentiful.
Martin Stern, chairman of the Brauchtumsgruppe Neustift
DATES:
07.01.2023
Ceremony ‘Naz’ symbol dug up
14.01.2023
Anniversary Maschger performance – 40 years of Brauchtumsgruppe Neustift
16.02.2023
Nonsense party
21.02.2023
Ceremony ‘Naz’ symbol burn - carnival finale I t is finally that time again on 7 January 2023. In a grandiose ceremony, the ‘Naz’ symbol is dug up and the fifth season, the Fasnacht carnival, begins in the Stubai Valley. The Klötzler, Bären, Hexen, Weiße, Spiegeltuxer, Melcher, Tschaggeler, Zottler and Stubai Paarl colourful carnival figures make their way through Neustift’s taverns and restaurants entertaining guests and locals with the Schuhplattler folk dance and other traditions. It is not very easy to predict what will happen when the Maschger arrive. But it will definitely be lively and fun.
MASCHGER FEVER
Even though the tradition is still quite young in Stubai, the Maschger inspire locals and guests alike. The Brauchtumsgruppe Neustift has almost 70 members aged between five and 85, and there are plans to increase this number. “The Maschger performance is something very special. I can’t explain it. You either get or you don’t,” says Martin Stern. He has been chairman of the Brauchtumsgruppe Neustift since 2021. Traditionally, the Maschger performance is a male preserve in Tyrol, but nothing works here without the women. “They help us with the preparations and sew the costumes,” Martin is glad for the support.
THE SCHUHPLATTLER
It may not seem like it at first, but the performances by the Maschger follow a fixed ritual in which every movement, every dance, every gesture has its meaning. The accordion player walks at the head of the procession and strikes up a waltz with his Styrian accordion. The Klötzler figures cause a right commotion with their outfit made of small wood shingles, attracting the spectators’ attention. They are followed by the bear herders, who have a hard time getting the bears to dance. Then come the witches. They clear the way for the four seasons with their brooms, which sometimes sweep over the spectators’ shoes too. “One special feature is the ‘Alt Stubaier Paarl’. They are the newest figures in our carnival and represent a Stubai innkeeper and farmer couple in the beautiful Stubai traditional costume. His job is to teach the Melcher and Tuxer figures the art of the Schuhplattler and Maschger dances. They have been a permanent part of our performances with short dances and excerpts from the figure dance since 2019,” explains Martin, showing that customs are always changing and evolving. Afterwards, the Weißen, Spiegeltuxer and Melcher figures as well as Tschaggeler and Zottler characters stomp into the hall dancing. The Weißen represent spring. Jumping over their willow rods is meant to awaken the spirits of spring. The highlight is a Schuhplattler dance by the Spiegeltuxer and Melcher. They are the main figures in the carnival and present the summer. The colours of autumn can be found on the Tschaggeler characters’ colourful outfits. The Zottler bring up the rear. The grim masks and thick robes symbolise the long, hard winter in the Stubai Valley. Excitement spreads through the hall as the Maschger mingle with the audience. Whoever gets hit on the shoulder in the process can consider themselves lucky. “This tap on the shoulder, known as ‘Abmullen’, is considered a sign of fertility and is a great honour,” Martin explains the old custom. After a while, the group assembles again and takes off their masks. They then proceed out again in time to the accordion with their masks on their shoulders. After that, they move onto their next performance.
