An attempt to explain between
custom, tradition, belief and superstition.
The gifts of the Three Wise Men
You will certainly have seen the Alpine version of "carol singers" going from house to house at the beginning of January. In this custom, boys and girls - and more rarely adults - go to each family, bringing the Christmas message and wishes for peace and blessings for the New Year. At the same time, they collect donations for aid projects for disadvantaged children and distribute incense in small bags.
This incense is burned in homes and yards on the eve of Epiphany, i.e. on 5 January. This tradition is known throughout much of Europe and is still practised in the Tyrolean Alps in particular. But what is smoking all about and why on the eve of Epiphany? We need to go into a little more detail.
Smells and bells
Throughout the Alpine region - and beyond - there are very special customs around Christmas and the turn of the year. This time even has its own name: Raunächte. It involves 12 nights and 13 days between Christmas Eve and Epiphany, i.e. 24 December to 6 January. It is believed that this time is also called "between the years" because it signifies the difference between the solar year (365 days for one orbit of the earth around the sun) and the lunar year (354 days for 12 orbits of the moon around the earth).
In folklore belief, this period is given special significance, as the laws of nature are suspended and the gates to the underworld are open until the day on which the gap between the calendars - the solar and lunar calendars - is closed again. People believed in a "Wild Hunt" in which the spirits raced through the night. The ride was led by the goddess Percht, who had to be leniently tuned with various gifts so as not to anger her. The belief said that laundry should not be washed or hung up during this time, as the spirits could get caught in it and make shrouds out of it. The people also believed that in those nights it’s possible to have a glimpse into the future, e.g. by casting lead or wax.
The time between the years is also a good opportunity to bring the old year to a close and get in the mood for the new year. It's time to return what has been borrowed and settle old debts.
Incense burning: magical and effective
Incense burning plays a central role during this period of the year. The scent of heated resin or herbs is not only fragrant, but has also been proven to have a cleansing and disinfecting effect. In
Hafling and Vöran, glowing coals are placed in a smoking pan or other fireproof container, e.g. an old cast-iron iron. The incense distributed by the carol singers is placed on the embers. Sometimes dried herbs, flowers or roots are also added.
It is important to smoke before 9 pm and with the whole family, as smoking too late could mean a poor harvest the following year. If a family member is absent, this could also have a negative effect. The smoking pan is now carried around the house by the head of the family and swivelled in every room. Even the stable and barn - despite the acute risk of fire due to flying sparks - are not left out. The head of the family is followed by the entire family, who pray the rosary. One person, usually a child, sprinkles each room with holy water. Finally, all family members are "incensed" and the letters C+M+B and the year are written in chalk on the house and stable doors. The letters stand for the Latin "Christus Mansionem Benedicat", i.e. a request for divine blessing for this house.
Tradition and interpretation
We are observing a growing interest in this old custom. Although certain variants of popular belief have now fallen out of fashion, the period between Christmas and Epiphany remains a time of silence and retreat. Work largely comes to a halt, families get together, stories are told - at least that's how it used to be. However, the longing for spirituality is growing again and is leading to traditions such as "Kinigrachn" being carried on as a living custom.