Individual masks

The term ‘individual’ speaks for itself. The figures falling into this category aren’t part of any specific group, but move rather freely within the procession. Some of them are tightly knit into the history of the town, the “Vogelhändler” (bird trader) for example – others remind of professions carried out in olden times, like the chimney sweepers. Further figures have certain tasks they need to fulfil during the carnival, though, like the cashiers or security personnel.

The “Kübelemaje”

One of these unique masks is the so-called “Kübelemaje”. The participant wears the costume of a young dairymaid in a simple, elegant traditional dress and a mask with soft, friendly features. The little bucket that is part of the character is called “Kübele” – it’s filled with a fine powder, which she wipes in the spectator’s faces, using a delicate lace handkerchief.

The “Vogelhändler”

Commemorating the fact that the historical profession of selling tamed songbirds had its origins in Imst, bird-traders also take part in the carnival. On their backs they carry a large wooden frame, stacked with small bird cages. Their occupation sent the bird-traders across the entirety of Europe – from London to St. Petersburg.

The Chimneysweepers

Only the bravest men of the town, who are experienced climbers with no fear of heights dress up as these characters. They scale buildings with ladders while the carnival beneath them is in full swing. Once they have reached the windows and manage to climb into the designated rooms, it is said that the chimneysweepers in their black tailcoats are a sign of good luck. After a peck on the cheek or a sip of wine, they leave a small coal streak on the cheeks of their hosts with the small ball of fabric they carry. It signalizes: “The chimneysweeper (or, as the citizens of Imst call them, ‘Kaminer’) was here.” In the boy’s carnival, they’re relayed while they climb.

Vendors of the “Rof’n Kathl”

For the carnival’s papers “Rof’n Kathl”, “Rof’n Kathele” and “Ratsche-Seppele”, multiple vendors take to the streets, loudly advertising their products. Their costumes are varying – from a widow dressed in black silk to long, traditional skirts worn in winter. Their newspaper is carried in a postman bag. “Ratschen” means gossiping in the local dialect, and the “Rofe(n)” is a steep street in Imst. According to old stories, a particularly chatty old lady used to live in said street – the paper is named after her. For the boys, the woman’s daughter was created and during the Auskehren, it’s the Ratsche Seppele’s job to carry out embarrassing, silly and hilarious gossip stories. All day Kathl, Kathele and Seppele roam through the streets and spread all kinds of stories to anyone who wants (or does not want) to hear. Some of these stories are even turned into poems. Caricatures and goofy drawings complete the most important news sources in Imst. The creators of these passages are usually anonymous, even with rumours and names being dropped here and there – one can only assume!

The “Korbweible”

An elderly woman with a headscarf and a large basket mounted to her back, visibly exhausted and strained with the heavy load in said basket – a grown man, smoking a pipe and amusedly watching the crowd around him. A symbol for the heavy burdens that women must carry? Probably not. Solely a satirical figure in the carnival, only meant to entertain the spectators. Things are not always what they seem after all, the man in the basket is actually the one walking, the woman in the front is merely a puppet.

“Rosspolleau’klauber”

Their profession is simply the gathering of the horses’ droppings during the procession. The man is dressed similarly to the Altfrankspritzer, however instead of a syringe, he is equipped with a broom and wheelbarrow.

Bellmen

While the active participants are being dressed and sewn into their costumes, three heralds roam through the streets on horses or in sleighs, accompanied by fanfares and the brass band. Their costumes were designed by artist Elmar Kopp. In a celebratory manner and rhyming verses, they proclaim the special day for Imst and its citizens.