Sackner

The namesakes for this group of the carnival are the large, bulging bags (Sacks) that they carry in their dominant hands as they scurry along the onlookers. The bag, fitted with a practical handle is used to push back spectators standing too close to the path cleared for the protagonists of the procession. It’s traditionally filled with dried corn leaves, not intending to hurt, but to simply make way. The Sackner’s purpose is to keep things in order and they come in three varying costumes:

The Wifligsackner

His mask is inspired by the face of an elderly, worn peasant woman. On the head, a white or black “Fatzelkappe” is worn – part of the traditional clothing worn in the region of Imst. The tapered hat is adorned with countless, tangles fringes. The figure is named after the “Wiflig”, which what is the traditional dress that is worn is called. It uses up to 16 meters (!) of fabric, which is neatly folded and sewn into countless pleats. During the procession, the Wifligsackner spins, granting the crowd a look at the lace-adorned underbreeches worn underneath the long skirt.

The Bauresackner

He is the male counterpart to the Wiflig. He wears a bearded mask and his clothing is that of a farmer in olden times: short Lederhosen, a loden Jacket, a traditional Tyrolean Hat with a feather and a grey wig underneath. His white underbreeches peeking from underneath his trousers are a real looker. 

The Turesackner

On his head he wears a tower-like, tapered head, which is where his name stems from – “Ture” means tower in the native dialect of Imst. His puffed pants in complementary colors remind of a Harlequin. He carries a matching cloth draped across his shoulders, and a loden jacket, traditionally called “Tuxer” is worn underneath.