Von: Thomas.Erle@t-online.de (Thomas Erle)
  Datum: 29.10.98, 18:02:18
Betreff: Fastnacht

Some words to the meaning of the word:

'Fastnacht' means 'night before the fasting time starts', which is the
night before ash wednesday (german: Aschermittwoch).
In all alemmannic areas like Baden (sw-Germany), Elsaß (France) and
northern Switzerland the term is 'Fasnet' (alemannic; same meaning)
In most areas of southern Germany (i.e. Bavaria) people say 'Fasching',
which is sort of 'high german'.

To make matters even more complicated: in West Germany (Mainz, Köln,
Düsseldorf) they say 'Karneval', from italian 'carnevale' (think of
Venice, Italy!), original latin 'carne vale' ('goodbye to the meat').

Originally 'Fastnacht' was only the night before Ash Wednesday, later
the time from Epiphany to Ash Wednesday.
Nowadays the season starts on November, 11th at 11:11 o'clock.

In Baden, Elsaß and Switzerland there is a very old tradition of
celebrating Fasnet, dating back in the times before christianity
arrived. It was the time, when people chased away the winter and
prepared for spring. Therefore you find to this day people wearing
costumes and masks of witches (Hexen) which remain unchanged for years.
In the night they roll huge wheels of straw set to fire down the slopes
of the mountains (Feuerräder), or they hit small wooden disks (also
burning) with sticks, so they are flying through the night
(Scheibenschlagen).

In West Germany Karneval is quite different. People are dressing like
they feel to and they are all having a good time, especially with
singing, dancing, drinking and making jokes about each other and public
affairs (politics). Karneval is what you usually see on German TV.


One last word about those sweet things you eat at Fastnachtszeit:
The right spelling is FASNETSKÜCHLE (or Fastnachtsküchle).
Küchle (Kuechle) is southern german for 'kleine Kuchen' (small cakes).
...and there are probably as many receipes as families!

Happy Season to all of you!!

Thomas :-)