The Roitschäggätä are in fact the young unmarried lads from the different villages of the Lötschental who hide behind their often handmade wooden masks, frightening passersby and playing pranks. This tradition sometimes became so reckless in bygone days that the Church repeatedly had to prohibit it. Today, the Roitschäggätä chiefly roam through the valley on Maundy Thursday, while there is a masked parade in the village of Wiler on the Saturday prior to Ash Wednesday.
As ancient the grimacing masks with their teeth stumps and attached fur may appear, their history can actually not be traced back further than the late 18th century.The masks from the Lötschental, which are now often the work of professional or amateur woodcarvers, have become sought-after souvenirs.
Roitschäggätä im Lötschental (VS)
Lötschental
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Maundy Thursday and Saturday prior to Ash Wednesday
Carnival custom, masked pranks on Maundy Thursday, and masked parade on the Saturday prior to Ash Wednesday
Starting as early as Candlemas (February 2) one may encounter the Roitschäggätä in the Lötschental. These are wild figures clad in fur and hiding behind impressive wooden masks.
Carnival custom, masked pranks on Maundy Thursday, and masked parade on the Saturday prior to Ash Wednesday
Starting as early as Candlemas (February 2) one may encounter the Roitschäggätä in the Lötschental. These are wild figures clad in fur and hiding behind impressive wooden masks.
More links
Contact Information
- Lötschental Tourismus
Dorfstrasse
Postfach 17
3918 Wiler
Tel. +41 (0)27 938 88 88
Fax +41 (0)27 938 88 80
info@loetschental.ch
www.loetschental.ch
