X Current position

position

story

speed

magnalog

Story 1/26: Sun Feb 19 13:54:23 2006, after 0d 00:00:00, Lat:48.750072 Lon:8.873472 Elevation:437.4 m

Introduction

This magnalog is a sample for the the use of magnalox if not the GPS track but storytelling is the focus of the presentation. It also shows some new techniques such as individual display styles, audio annotations embedded in stories larger images and unusual layouts.
It gives a short insight into some of the carnival traditions in south-west Germany, the " »Alemannische Fasnet".

To listen to the audio annotations, just click the green "play" arrow where available:[audio]
If You use ad-blockers or other applications that prevent "Flash"-elements, please disable them for this page.

You can use the buttons within the storytexts or the navigation buttons to adapt the storyflow to Your needs.
For the best experience, put Your browser in full screen mode (usually by pressing F11).

Story 2/26: Sun Feb 19 13:54:31 2006, after 0d 00:00:08, Lat:48.750057 Lon:8.873434 Elevation:438.6 m

Fasnet in Weil der Stadt, the traditional carnival in South-West Germany

The carnival season in Germany has several stages, starting on November 11th and ending on Ash Wednesday. There are never more vistors in »Weil der Stadt than on sunday before Ash Wednesday, attending the traditional carnival procession which has a rather widespread reputation in the region.

One stage to there is the so called "Narrensprung" ("Fools Leap"), a ceremony during which the town-government is symbolically taken over by the "Narren" ("Fools"). This event is described here.
Each town participating has a "Narrenzunft" ("Fool's Guild") with clothing ("Häs") and a call ("Narrenruf"). The "Narrenruf" in Weil der Stadt is "Aha" and so is the name of the »guild, organized in several sections.

Many expressions in this domain are only known in local languages and don't even have an equivalent in high german, leading to a total lack of an english translation.

Story 3/26: Sun Feb 19 13:56:40 2006, after 0d 00:02:17, Lat:48.749996 Lon:8.872765 Elevation:448.3 m

Fasnet in Weil der Stadt, 2/3

A "Narr" is not just a fool, it has also a mythical dimension. "Fasnet" here is not "Carnival" as it may be known in other regions, it has mythical and spiritual aspects said to be originating from pre-christian traditions. At the end, straw-wheels or -puppets are burned to mark the (for some) bitter end of the "5th season" and to welcome the then foreseeable arrival of the spring-time.

The "Weiler Fasnet" has no uninterrupted tradition, but organized activites appeared at the beginning of the 20th century. The oldest associations were founded in the 1950s. One can assume that in the old days it had also subversive aspects, hence not beeing accepted by the local authorities and clerics like it nowadays is. The presentation in a parade is thus also a relative new spectacle.
What we see nowadays is a blend of traditional rites and more modern influences. For example, the uniforms shown are a parody of the french occupation army in the early 19th century. Interestingly, the more traditional "Allemannische Fasnet" is alive mainly in the catholic regions and towns, whereas in most protestant areas it got lost over time and wasn't revived.

Story 4/26: Sun Feb 19 13:59:00 2006, after 0d 00:04:37, Lat:48.749992 Lon:8.872619 Elevation:451.6 m

Fasnet in Weil der Stadt, 3/3

The track shown here was recorded while walking from a parking place through the "Königstor" ("King's Gate") and passing the "Viehmarkt" ("Livestock Market"), the "Narrenbrunnen" ("Fool's Fountain") and the cathedral St. Peter and Paul into the town center to the historical town hall and market square.

The GPS recordings are not very accurate due to the canyon formed by the houses along the narrow streets, covering most of the sky and satellites.

We were walking to a place where we were let the parade pass and then following the tail to the market square to attend the "transition of power".

Story 5/26: Sun Feb 19 14:05:25 2006, after 0d 00:11:02, Lat:48.750008 Lon:8.872576 Elevation:451.3 m

Tin Can Army

The major (center with the town key) and supporters from the Blechbüchsenarmee ("Tin Can Army") fleeing from the fools beeing after them.

Story 6/26: Sun Feb 19 14:06:17 2006, after 0d 00:11:54, Lat:48.750011 Lon:8.872570 Elevation:451.2 m

the head of the parade

The "Büttel" (the announcer, usher) followed by the "Herold" (herald), bearing the banner.

Story 7/26: Sun Feb 19 14:08:10 2006, after 0d 00:13:47, Lat:48.750015 Lon:8.872557 Elevation:451.1 m

'Weiler Schelme'

The more friendly "Schelme" ("Imps") storming the streets

»Schelme Homepage

Story 8/26: Sun Feb 19 14:09:11 2006, after 0d 00:14:48, Lat:48.750015 Lon:8.872551 Elevation:451.1 m

Gypsies

Zigeuner ("Gypsies") distributing sweets while smoking

»Zigeuner Homepage

Story 9/26: Sun Feb 19 14:10:53 2006, after 0d 00:16:30, Lat:48.750023 Lon:8.872539 Elevation:451 m

somewhat unhealthy tan

Steckentäler (a tree spirit named after a local valley)

»Steckentäler Homepage

Story 10/26: Sun Feb 19 14:11:57 2006, after 0d 00:17:34, Lat:48.750023 Lon:8.872532 Elevation:450.9 m

music everywhere

Augustiner ("Augustinian") Brassband. [audio]

»Homepage

Story 11/26: Sun Feb 19 14:12:07 2006, after 0d 00:17:44, Lat:48.750027 Lon:8.872531 Elevation:450.9 m

tradition handed over

"Weiler Bären" ("Bears") generations.

»Bären Homepage

Story 12/26: Sun Feb 19 14:12:23 2006, after 0d 00:18:00, Lat:48.750027 Lon:8.872529 Elevation:450.9 m

Polar Bear ?

Gentle white bear specimen

Story 13/26: Sun Feb 19 14:13:12 2006, after 0d 00:18:49, Lat:48.750027 Lon:8.872524 Elevation:450.8 m

....already due, I ?

Schellenteufel ("Bell Devil"), probably unleashed from hell...

»Schellenteufel Homepage

Story 14/26: Sun Feb 19 14:13:55 2006, after 0d 00:19:32, Lat:48.750031 Lon:8.872519 Elevation:450.8 m

evil spirits with their disgusting tools

Schlehengeister ("Blackthorn Spirits") beating innocent spectators with dried pig-bladders while producing intimidating noises with their bell-belts when hopping. [audio]

»Schlehengeister Homepage

Story 15/26: Sun Feb 19 14:15:03 2006, after 0d 00:20:40, Lat:48.750031 Lon:8.872511 Elevation:450.7 m

what did You say?

Deafening percussion on wheels and big band. [audio]

»Mixtour Homepage

Story 16/26: Sun Feb 19 14:16:22 2006, after 0d 00:21:59, Lat:48.750034 Lon:8.872503 Elevation:450.6 m

looking forward to bursting gates

'magna ox', may be?

A whitch on a "Rammbock" ("battering ram"), inflaming the troops for the battle to come.

Story 17/26: Sun Feb 19 14:16:29 2006, after 0d 00:22:06, Lat:48.750034 Lon:8.872502 Elevation:450.6 m

better get out of the way

Battering ram borne foreward to break every resistance at the Town Hall's gates.

Story 18/26: Sun Feb 19 14:16:39 2006, after 0d 00:22:16, Lat:48.750034 Lon:8.872501 Elevation:450.6 m

keep distance

Sneaky whitch seeking for innocent victims. Less robust children (and adults) can have nightmares the nights following.

Usually children get sweets from the whitches, making them also rather welcome amongst those who know this and overcome the fear.

Story 19/26: Sun Feb 19 14:17:39 2006, after 0d 00:23:16, Lat:48.750038 Lon:8.872494 Elevation:450.6 m

better beware now

The town's streets are now conquered by the howling whitches. [audio]

»Whitches Homepage

Story 20/26: Sun Feb 19 14:30:30 2006, after 0d 00:36:07, Lat:48.750126 Lon:8.870837 Elevation:457.2 m

claiming the town

Fool Guild's president claiming the town, announcing conditions for the mayjor's and council's sparing after naming the admistrations sins during the last year.

»Carneval Guild Homepage

Story 21/26: Sun Feb 19 14:31:36 2006, after 0d 00:37:13, Lat:48.750126 Lon:8.870829 Elevation:457.5 m

Johannes Kepler statue

»Johannes Kepler, Weil der Stadt's most famous son, patiently looking away upon the dishonourable scenery below his feet.

Even the local parking regulations are kind of useless today...

Story 22/26: Sun Feb 19 14:39:32 2006, after 0d 00:45:09, Lat:48.750118 Lon:8.870773 Elevation:459.4 m

sheer force at work

Rammbock ("Ram Buck" literally) crashing the Town Hall's entrance gate with tremendous noise and laughter.
When all obstacles are removed, fools enter the building.

Story 23/26: Sun Feb 19 14:41:45 2006, after 0d 00:47:22, Lat:48.750114 Lon:8.870757 Elevation:459.9 m

documents fly out of the town hall

The fools are now looting the administration, scattering files and documents on the marketplace while the enthusiastic crowd is yelling out for more.

Sometimes bedding and pillows are soaring through the air here...

Story 24/26: Sun Feb 19 14:44:52 2006, after 0d 00:50:29, Lat:48.750111 Lon:8.870735 Elevation:460.6 m

handing over the key

Major surrendering after short resistance, handing over the town's key and begging for asylum in a local inn.

Story 25/26: Sun Feb 19 14:48:08 2006, after 0d 00:53:45, Lat:48.750111 Lon:8.870712 Elevation:461.4 m

singing crowd on the marketplace

At the end, the amused crowd sings the same songs every year.[audio]

Story 26/26: Sun Feb 19 14:49:00 2006, after 0d 00:54:37, Lat:48.750107 Lon:8.870706 Elevation:461.6 m

How this was made

All You need is:
Something to report about and an »account on magnalox.net. Photos and audiofiles are optional.

What You don't need:
Knowledge about technologies like HTML, Java, Flash, Google Earth or whatsoever. Just upload files and fill out forms.

This magnalog was made in less than three hours. The images were taken with a pocket size »Pentax Optio WP and resized using the free »Picasa 2. The .mp3 audio files were created by a PDA »Pocket Loox 720 and the annotation function of the camera and were converted using the free »Audacity .

Have fun with »www.magnalox.net

magnalog 11696Narrensprung in Weil der Stadt