Witches, whips and masks for Epiphany
Published: Saturday, Jan 6th 2024, 07:50
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Switzerland celebrates Epiphany with whips, masks and witches. While brave people from Ticino jump into the cold water, divers go in search of sunken treasures on Lake Constance.
The so-called "Priis-Chlepfä" takes place in Schwyz. In various competition categories, a certain sequence of whip lashes is strung together and judged by a jury. By hurling the whip back and forth quickly, the whip breaks the sound barrier for a brief moment, resulting in a loud crack. The combination of bang and hand movement is popularly known as the "Chrüzlistreich".
The "Nodada della Befana" traditionally takes place in the harbor of Brissago TI on Lake Maggiore. During the Epiphany swim, daredevil swimmers jump into the frosty cold water - without a wetsuit. The participants have to cover a distance of 80 meters and are cheered on by several hundred onlookers. Unlike the "Priis-Chlepfä", it's not about winning, just having fun.
Good-natured witches, Befanas, also roam around some villages in Ticino. They "fly" from house to house on their brooms and hand out nuts, mandarins and sweets to the "good" children. "Bad" children, on the other hand, only receive pieces of coal. According to legend, the witch was on her way to the birthplace of Jesus Christ. However, as she set off too late and missed the star of Bethlehem, she got lost.
In the Valais mountain village of Evolène VS, carnival begins on Epiphany. Figures dressed in fur and straw roam the village to drive away the evil spirits of winter.
Our German neighbors also have special traditions on Epiphany. In Überlingen on Lake Constance, hundreds of divers hunt for sunken treasure every year. The Dreikönigstauchen is one of the biggest winter diving events in Europe.
©Keystone/SDA
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