Whipping: it's a cracking tradition

Embach was the place to have a cracking good time this weekend and not just because it played host to the annual whipping championships. The Embachers really know how to party.

Was that really “whipping championships”?

Yes, 270 heats were judged to find the best whipping teams in the pairs, triples and foursomes, juniors and seniors. But there's no S&M here. Schnalzen is an old tradition thought to have its origin in beating away the cold winters and welcoming the spring, and is popular in many villages in this mountain area.

The short-handled whip or Goaßl is made of plaited rope, can be up to 4m long and is swung around the head to make a loud crack. Working in pairs or bigger groups each schnalzer times the cracks of his whip separately from his team mates to make a rhythm. Each heat lasts just a few seconds with competitors marching formally to their places, and away again at the end. Judging is on style, rhythm and presentation.

Schnalzen is popular among the young

Whipping up the party atmosphere started at 4pm on Friday night with a parade through the village , a ceremony to bless the Embach Schnalzer flag (as our club is only a year old), music and festivities in a marquee packed with 1000 villagers and guests, a number of bands and other schnalzer clubs.

The community pulled together to serve drinks and food to the mass of people. Drinks were delivered in seconds and empty glasses whipped away by young lads. Flocks of fried chickens and schnitzels which laid side by side would cover a soccer pitch, were brought in moments. The music continued throughout the night.

Nevertheless, the Saturday began at 9am with a parade through the village, a mass in a meadow and parade back to the start, ready to begin the competition in earnest.

All day the village reeled to the rhythmic cracking of whips. The competition over, the marquee reeled again to the village band playing popular traditional tunes and festivities continued to midnight when fireworks closed the party. One can only admire their staying power.

Marching to their positions

Competitive whipping is another example of local traditions being kept alive, not as a tourist attraction, but as a community activity, an opportunity for the Einheimisch (locals) to strut their stuff in lederhosen, dirndl dresses and club uniforms. Maintaining traditions here is not a matter of flogging a dead horse, just another reason for a party.

The judges had to assess 270 entries

The competition brought visitors from many villages in the area