Traditions & Culture

According to folk tradition, the Kasmandl is a little man with gray hair and a wrinkled face. During the summer, he resides in the mountains where he lives off roots and herbs. In the autumn, when the shepherds or dairymaids finally return from mountain pastures to the valley at Martinmas (11.11.), the Kasmandl comes to the alpine huts to gather what was left behind. It is from this that he will survive through the long winter months. On the eve of St. George’s Day (celebrated here on April 24), the Kasmandl is expelled by loud noise. Only then do the dairymaids and farmers dare to reenter their huts.

This tradition is the origin of the Kasmandl Walk we see today: On the eve of Martinmas, children go from house to house dressed in costume. They recite poems, sing songs of the hill country, and hand out sweets as a thank-you for the tips they have received.

» More info about the tradition itself as well as Kasmandl poems

Figures, frightening, grotesque faces, and the wild ringing of bells. Our ears listen intensely to the heavy drone of cowbells which these sinister fellows have strapped to their backs. And then you catch a glimpse of them: the silhouettes of imposing figures. The wood-carved masks display distorted, wicked faces. Sharp teeth, a gnarled nose, and horns twisted in all directions complete the horror. With mask and horns, he towers above all by at least a head. Wrapped in a shaggy coat and with a heavy staff in hand, the Krampus is similar to a fearsome monster.

Today, many young people have revived this 500 yr. old tradition and the Krampus parades have become more elaborate: with specially-made floats, loud music, and fire

They obey St. Nicholas’ every word
The tradition of the Krampus parade goes back to kind-hearted Bishop Nicholas who, on the night of December 5th and 6th, makes his way through the streets sporting a shepherd’s staff, miter, and magnificent garments. His helpers are an angel holding a book with the good deeds of all people, and a wizened old man with a basket full of presents, the so-called “good kids’ basket”. And of course, there is also Krampus, an emissary of evil.

Every St. Nicholas is accompanied by 6 to 8 Krampus figures. While Nicholas rewards the good children and gives them candy from the “good kids’ basket”, Krampus punishes those who have been naughty. Only Nicholas with his shepherd’s staff can actually restrain Krampus.

Back in pre-Christian times, people would light bonfires in honor of the goddess Ostara, and paid homage to her with a festival of lights. In 739, St. Boniface recounted the Easter bonfires of the Germanic peoples, a custom he diligently tried to eradicate. From that time on, the church actually consecrated the Easter bonfire and thus gave it a Christian flavor. The custom of the Easter bonfire is still continued to this day.

Lungau Easter bonfires also have ties to the following, supposedly true occurrence: When the French were ravaging the Lungau in 1797, they were so surprised by the firing of the volleys that traditionally accompany this event, they thought they were surrounded by enemies on all sides, taking flight immediately. The custom is nurtured to this day, with the bonfires lit atop carpentered wooden towers.

Every Easter Saturday