The Egetmann parade
In Tramin one of the strangest and at the same time oldest (since 1591) carnival customs has been retained.
The wedding of John Egetmann – carnival parade. In the odd years on Pancake Tuesday this very special parade marches through the lanes of Tramin and attracts thousands of spectators from near and far, because the main figure – Egetmannhansl – who is a dummy with a black skirt, cylindrical hat and white gloves celebrates his wedding.
Egetmann’s wagon gets accompanied by numerous other wagons, groups, figures including snapping animals, rich and poor gypsies, farmers, fishermen, and many more. Zenzi is also one of the main characters of the Traminer "Egetmann".
Zenzi - Our ginger-peach liqueur Zenzi has a very special namesake. Zenzi is one of the main characters of the Traminer "Egetmann", whose wedding procession passes through the Traminer alleys every two years on Shrove Tuesday. The old Zenzi, she does not want to become young in any case. After a long time of haggling and with a little "tutoring", she ends up being the very last one to be caught on the main square and thrown into the old woman's mill, which transforms her and gives her back her young and blossoming life.
The traditional wedding of John Egetmann carnival parade is organised by the elderly only every two years. During the even years, the parade gets organised by our young village folk. A wonderful highlight that you should under no circumstances miss out on.
From snapping animals, black fishermen and other wedding guests.
As one of the oldest carnival evening customs in Tyrol, the Egetmann parade in Tramin is one of the most lively. Officially mentioned for the first time in 1591, the Egetmann parade has won itself a special place in the hearts of those from Tramin over the course of the last few decades.
The Egetmann parade is primarily colourful, loud and full of martial cheerfulness. In all of its grandeur and variety of colours, this carnival tradition which is celebrated with lots of physical effort merges traditional elements of the Tyrolean custom with a timeless value: a sense of community. From the construction of the wagon, which begins straight after the Epiphany every uneven year and lasts more or less throughout the year to the sense of achievement once it has been completed, the Egetmann parade merges a majority of the village men – it is currently 800, into a solid celebratory unit.
It’s inadvisable for visitors to this special part of the Tramin cultural programme to be squeamish: And it’s not rare to find soot, dust and wood shavings which are part of the participants’ costumes, to come raining down on the parade guests. And that during all of the shenanigans you might get a clip across the ear, sure that goes without saying!
Foto: https://www.egetmann.com/
