Habergeiß#

Habergeiss: 1) masked figure, impersonated by one or more young men hidden under a cloak and wearing a goat-like wooden mask; 2) three-legged wooden animal figure with goat mask, carried along at processions; 3) figure made of straw from the last sheaf, left standing on the harvested field.

The habergeiss is involved in humorous activities and forms part of masked parades in the winter, ( Saint Nicholas Day Customs, Fasching), at the Blochziehen, at the cutting of the maypole in the borderland between Lower Austria and Styria ( May Customs) and on the occasion of social events (e.g. at weddings or the end of the threshing period).

Documentary by the OeWF: H. Fruehwald, Korntragen und Erntebrauch, 1980.