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The Überlinger Hänsele is a famous
The character Hänsele appears on the Saturday and Sunday before Ash Wednesday. It also appears in July in connection with the Überlinger Schwerttanzkompanie (Sword dance company of Überlingen) at the second Schwedenprozession (a procession to commemorate the successful defense of the Swedish siege in the Thirty years War) on the second Sunday in July. During the sword dance only one person at a time plays Hänsele, and he is involved in all civic celebrations; his identity usually remains anonymous. Hänsele's costume is noted for its colorful felted squares, its fox tail, and the women's perfume worn on the mask. In addition, Hänsele carries a heavy whip; prior to
In 1496, the Hänsele was first mentioned in a legislative ruling that banned people from wearing a devil suit, though it is unknown if that devil suit was similar in appearance to the modern Hänsele. In 1769, the Hänsele was named in connection with the carnival for the first time by the council of Überlingen. It is written there that it was forbidden to wear the Hänsele after the bedtime ringing of the church bells. In the council protocol of 1789, the Karbatsche was named and banned as well.
Stadt Ãœberlingen: Schwedenprozessionen und Schwerttanz Ãœberlingen - eine Stadt mit Tradition
{{DEFAULTSORT:Uberlinger Hansele European folklore characters German folklore Fictional characters from Swabia
The Überlinger Hänsele is a famous carnival
Carnival is a Catholic Christian festive season that occurs before the liturgical season of Lent. The main events typically occur during February or early March, during the period historically known as Shrovetide (or Pre-Lent). Carnival typi ...
figure of the city of Ãœberlingen
Überlingen is a German city on the northern shore of Lake Constance (Bodensee) in Baden-Württemberg near the border with Switzerland. After the city of Friedrichshafen, it is the second largest city in the Bodenseekreis (district), and a cent ...
am Bodensee, Germany.
The Hänsele is the main figure of the carnival
Carnival is a Catholic Christian festive season that occurs before the liturgical season of Lent. The main events typically occur during February or early March, during the period historically known as Shrovetide (or Pre-Lent). Carnival typi ...
in Überlingen. Only male citizens of Überlingen are allowed to appear with this carnival suit on. The first time the Hänsele appears during carnival is the Saturday evening before Ash Wednesday
Ash Wednesday is a holy day of prayer and fasting in many Western Christian denominations. It is preceded by Shrove Tuesday and falls on the first day of Lent (the six weeks of penitence before Easter). It is observed by Catholics in the Rom ...
for the big "Hänsele Juck" (procession of the Hänsle through the old city of Überlingen). More than 1500 of these Hänsele entertain the audience along the street.
Appearance
The character Hänsele appears on the Saturday and Sunday before Ash Wednesday. It also appears in July in connection with the Überlinger Schwerttanzkompanie (Sword dance company of Überlingen) at the second Schwedenprozession (a procession to commemorate the successful defense of the Swedish siege in the Thirty years War) on the second Sunday in July. During the sword dance only one person at a time plays Hänsele, and he is involved in all civic celebrations; his identity usually remains anonymous. Hänsele's costume is noted for its colorful felted squares, its fox tail, and the women's perfume worn on the mask. In addition, Hänsele carries a heavy whip; prior to Fasnet
The Swabian-Alemannic Fastnacht, Fasnacht (in Switzerland) or Fasnat/Faschnat (in Vorarlberg) is the pre-Lenten carnival in Alemannic folklore in Switzerland, southern Germany, Alsace and Vorarlberg.
Etymology
Popular etymology often link ...
, groups of uncostumed Hänseles gather in the market square to practice snapping their whips.
History
In 1496, the Hänsele was first mentioned in a legislative ruling that banned people from wearing a devil suit, though it is unknown if that devil suit was similar in appearance to the modern Hänsele. In 1769, the Hänsele was named in connection with the carnival for the first time by the council of Überlingen. It is written there that it was forbidden to wear the Hänsele after the bedtime ringing of the church bells. In the council protocol of 1789, the Karbatsche was named and banned as well.
References
External links
Stadt Ãœberlingen: Schwedenprozessionen und Schwerttanz Ãœberlingen - eine Stadt mit Tradition
{{DEFAULTSORT:Uberlinger Hansele European folklore characters German folklore Fictional characters from Swabia