Der Überlinger Hänsele

Überlinger Hänsele in 2006

The Überlinger Hänsele is a famous carnival figure of the city of Überlingen am Bodensee.

The Hänsele is the main figure of the carnival in Überlingen. Only male citizens of Überlingen are allowed to appear with this carnival suit on. The first time the Hänsele appears is the Saturday evening before Ash Wednesday for the big "Hänsele Juck" (procession of the Hänsle through the old city of Überlingen). More than 1500 of these Hänsele entertain the people along the street.

History of the Hänsele

In 1496, the Hänsele was first mentioned in a legislation which banned people to wear a devil suit. If that devil suit had the appearance of the daily Hänsele it is not reproducible.

For the first time in 1769, the Hänsele was named in connection with the carnival by the council protocol of Überlingen. It is written there that it was forbidden to wear the Hänsele after the bed time ringing of the church bells. In the council protocol of 1789, the Kabatsche was named and banned as well.

Appearance

The carnival character, Hänsele, appears in carnival time betwenn Saturday until Sunday before Ash Wendesday. But the Hänsele also appears once again in July in connection with the Überlinger Schwerttanzkompanie (Sword dance company of Überlingen) at the second Schwedenprozession (a procession to the successful defense of the Swedish siege in the Thirty years War) at the second Sunday in July. There is only one chosen "Hänsele," and he is involved in all civic celebrations; his identity usually remains anonymous. Other club members also dress up as the figure. Hänsele's costume is noted for its colorful felted squares, its fox tail, and the incense he wears in his hood. In addition, Hänsele carries a heavy whip; prior to Fasnet, groups of uncostumed Hänseles gather in the market square to practice snapping their whips.

External links

• Stadt Überlingen: Schwedenprozessionen und Schwerttanz Überlingen - eine Stadt mit Tradition
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