!!!Perchten

Perchten, female masks impersonating legendary characters, appearing 
in various regions during mid-winter, mainly on January 5. Other 
regional names for them are Frau Bercht, Berigl, Bechtra, 
Berchtlmuada, Bechtrababa, Lutzl, Sampa, Stampa, Zamperin, 
Zampermuatta, Pudelfrau and Rauweib. The Percht is supposed to 
represent Fate herself (oracular customs), she accompanies souls of 
the dead (unchristened babies belong to her attendants), her influence 
dominates people's lives and their interaction, she watches over 
orderly conduct and metes out punishment. This is how she was 
described in Antiquity, when she appeared at the end of the old year / 
beginning of the New Year; during the Middle Ages, the "domina 
Berchta" (originating from the Old High German term 
"peraht" meaning bright, shining) was the allegory of sin 
(vainglory). From the 16%%sup th/%  century her name was also given to 
the evil figures accompanying her, during the 17%%sup th/%  and 
18%%sup th/%  centuries, the Catholic church tried to ban their wild 
activities. During the 19%%sup th/%  century the general attitude 
towards this custom changed and the customs of Perchtenlaufen and 
Perchtenspringen became popular again. Today, in a popular revival of 
Perchten customs, modern grotesque masks are also worn. The evil 
companions of St. Nicholas, the Krampuses, are also turned into 
Perchten.

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Today there are numerous Perchten customs in Austria. In the Pongau 
region (Gastein, Altenmarkt, St. Johann and Bischofshofen), every 
year great Perchten processions with elaborately decorated masks of 
the "Schoenperchten" (beautiful Perchten) and the evil 
"Schiachperchten" (ugly Perchten) take place. Other Perchten 
customs: in the Pinzgau region "Tresterer", in Unken the 
stilt dancers, in Rauris "Schnabelbercht", in the Unterinntal region 
(Lower Inntal Valley) "Perschtln" (on December 5), in the 
Ausseer Land region "Berigln", in Unterwart (Burgenland) 
"Lutzln" (on December 13), in eastern Styria 
"Pudelmuatta" and in lower Carinthia the custom of chasing 
"Bechtrababa". The custom of Gloecklerlaufen on the day of  
Epiphany in the Salzkammergut district is also one of the Perchten 
customs.


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