Lagge

The Laggescheller

In Imst’s local dialect the term lagg means that someone is powerless and tired. Perhaps it’s their well known delight in mockery that prompted Imst’s inhabitants to include a pair of figures which gently caricature the main protagonists Scheller and Roller in Schemenlaufen. The Laggescheller and Laggeroller are old and walk slowly – lagg. What is powerful and elegant in the main figures is turned to its opposite here. Also the gender of the Laggepaar is switched. While the Larve (mask) of the Roller is feminine and the one of the Scheller masculine, the Laggerroller resembles a man with a little beard and the Laggescheller is an old woman.

The Laggeroller

Also the precious costumes of the Scheller and Roller are imitated - in the place of sparkling ornaments we find white and red beans, and perhaps a few yellow corn kernels, straw and dried wheat heads as a substitute. The Larven, with their slightly mischievous features show the mocking character of these figures. Much of the pair’s costume is left to their own fancy, there are no strict rules. The material however ought to be down to earth and in accordance with tradition. The Gröll of the Roller can be made of nuts or poppy seeds, and instead of the apple on the staff, there’s a horseradish. The Schellen can be made of wood and thus only rattle – everything is a caricature. Very original.