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'Fastnacht' or 'Fasnacht' is the pre-Lenten carnival in Alemannic folklore in Switzerland, southern Germany, Alsace and western Austria.
It is also known in parts of Pennsylvania Dutch Country as 'Fauschnaut Day' and is celebrated on the day before Ash Wednesday, or the last Tuesday before Lent.

Contents

Etymology

Overview

Switzerland

External links

See also

Etymology

''Fastnacht'' in Mainz also ''Fassenacht'', in Swiss German ''Fasnacht'', in Swabia ''Fasnet'', ''Fasent'' is often connected to ''fasten'' "to fast" by popular etymology, allegedly from celebrations on the eve preceding fasting. Comparison of dialect variants however yields an OHG ''
★ fasanaht'', with an element ''fasa-'' of unclear meaning. A likely derivation is from PIE '' "purify" (cognate to ''pava-mana''), or alternatively connected with Middle High German ''vaselen'' "prosper, bud" and interpreted as a fertility rite.
''Fasching'' (MHG ''vaschanc'' or ''vaschang'') is related, probably originally with a second element ''-gang'' instead of ''-nacht''.

Overview

The Swabian-Alemannic carnival begins on January 6 (Epiphany/Three Kings Day). This celebration is known as ''Fastnacht'' (literally "Fasting Eve" as it originally referred to the eve of the fasting season). Variants are ''Fasnet'', ''Fasnacht'' or ''Fasent''. Fastnacht is held in Baden-Württemberg, parts of Bavaria, and Alsace. Switzerland and Vorarlberg, in Austria, also hold this celebration. The festival starts on the Thursday before Ash Wednesday, known in these regions as ''Schmotziger Donnerstag'' or ''Fettdonnerstag''. In Standard German, ''schmotzig'' means "fat"; "Greasy Thursday". Elsewhere the day is called "Women's Carnival" (''Weiberfastnacht''), being the day when tradition says that women take control. In particular regions of Tyrol, Salzburg and Bavaria traditional processions of the Perchten welcome the springtime. The ''Schönperchten'' (beautiful Perchts) represent the birth of new life in the awakening nature, the ''Schiachperchten'' ("ugly Perchts") represent the dark spirits of wintertime. Farmers yearn for warmer weather and the ''Perchtenlauf'' (Run of Perchts; typical scenery) is a magical expression of that desire. The nights between winter and spring, when evil ghosts are supposed to go around, are also called ''Rauhnächte'' (rough nights). Mask of an "ugly Percht"

Switzerland

★ Basel (Basler Fasnacht): Morgestraich, Schnitzelbank

External links

★ Konstanzer Fasnacht Pictures of the Swabian-Alemannic Carnival in and nearby Constance

★ Typical pictures of the Alemannic folklore Fasnacht

See also

★ Rottweil

★ Ubersitz

★ Trycheln

★ Wild Hunt

★ Mardi Gras in Mobile - American festival ending with Shrove Tuesday.

★ Paganism in the Eastern Alps