Räuchermann

The Räuchermann (diminutive Räuchermännchen), erzgebirgisch "Raachermannel" is an invention of the toy makers of the Erzgebirge, used to burn down cone incense.

The Räuchermann was first mentioned in 1830 and is nowadays a common component in the erzgebirgisch christmas tradition. For this, a cone incense is set on first, then put on the lower part of the bifid wood figurine. The upper part is hollowed out and put on top of the first part. The cone incense burns down inside of the hollow figurine, the smoke leaving the mouth hole of the Räuchermann. Before the Räuchermann was invented, cone incense was displayed and burnt down in the open.

During christmas time, Räuchermänner are displayed together with Schwibbogen, miner figurine, angel, and christmas pyramid aufgestellt.

Several kinds of figurines exist, traditionally displaying craftsmen of the region, such as forester, peddlers, miners, and soldiers. Today, they exist in many more forms, including the so-called edgesitters, which can be placed on the edge of the table, small sceneries of several Räuchermänner (such as a group playing Skat), and also female Räuchermänner, called Räucherfrauen. According to the guiness book of records, the largest Räuchermann of the world is in the Miniaturenpark Kleinwelka in Bautzen.

ee also

Incense

Moosmännel

As analogy to the Räuchermann, the upper Vogtland invented the Moosmann (Moosmännel). He displays a small forest spirit, who helps poor families with natural products, could change leaves to gold, and - according to folk tales mostly appears during christmas time.