The traditional
Zussl Race in Prato allo Stelvio/Prad am Stilfserjoch
is meant to chase away the winter and cold and to awaken the spring by
making noise and having a loud charivari concert. This ancient carnival
tradition of noise in Prato allo Stelvio takes place every year on
Shrove Thursday, and is still handed down and performed with passion
until today.
The Zussl are dressed in white from head to toe and adorned
with coloured ribbons and paper pulp flowers. Tied around their waists,
they wear large noisy bells, which often weigh over 20 kilos. The Zussl
are accompanied by the Six White Horses – young men disguised as white
horses which drag an old plough behind them.
The parade is moved along by the Carter, who skilfully snaps
his long whip (Goaßl) in the air, producing loud cracks that are audible
throughout the mountains. The Carter is followed by the Sower, who
instead of grain throws sawdust into the crowd, and the parade continues
on with the procession of Peasants before concluding with an appearance
by the Merry Couple, clad in rags.