Klosn

Tradition and ancient customs.

“Klosen” is a procession of beautifully self-made masks at Santa Claus.
The origin and the original form of this custom as well as its first appearance in Stilfs are unknown. The “Perchtenumzug”, a procession of masks, is a premusical noise ritual with ancient roots of the former days which developed into a Christian custom and is carried out by the 14-19-year-old male teenagers of Stilfs on Saturday before or after the 6th of December.
The role of the "donkey", that mask in which one is dressed in a garment with coloured specks and wears cow's bells around the breast, is the most popular. Those donkeys seize their "victim" in the wild activity and want to expel the demons. Another mask which belongs to the demons are the “pick ups” the "Klaubauf" or “ devils” "Krampusse" which carry self-made skilfully crafted wooden masks as well as a heavy garment with long stripe-shaped scraps and fur. In the hand they rattle a big chain. The devils are dressed all in red or black garments.

The Santa Claus group consists of “Santa Klos”, Saint Claus who is traditionally represented with a long white beard and wears a long coat, a bishop’s crosier, a bishop’s mitre and ring. The other members of the “white” group are the “Ruatntroger”(the birch carrier), Katechismustroger (carrier of catechism), Liachttroger (carrier of the light), and Kostentroger. They are wearing a long white shirt with a red belt and silver rings.

The custom of the Klosn starts on Saturday at 2 o’clock pm. The donkey who wears the most impressive cowbells introduces the procession by appearing three times on a hill in sight. Afterwards Santa Claus descends the hill together with his “court” whose members are the wild and furious creatures. In the meantime the “awful ones” wait next to the mill with their dangerously looking masks and rattle their chain and eventually join the procession in a dancing way. At the accompaniment of rattling chains, the ringing of cowbells and loud growling the masks continue their procession along the village. Santa Claus, who is accompanied by one representative of each mask, goes from house to house to distribute little presents and gifts to the children who in return have to say a prayer or answer questions concerning the main ideas of Catholicism. The procession ends at seven o’ clock with the prayer “the Angel of the Lord” spoken of all masks in front of the church.