Figure 1.--These Sudeten German boys in Sternberg/ Mähren during the 1930s dress very similarly to German boys across the border. This is local tradition for Holy Week. The annual celebration with the boys who are called "Ratschenbuben" parade around the Blessed Virgin statue, to replace the church bells which had "flown to Rome" with their wooden instruments (rattles).

The Ratschenbuben is a primarily German tradition dating from the 12th century. It was also observed in Austria and in German communities in Sitzerland. One HBC reader tells us that "Ratschenbuben" is an Autrian word meaning "rattle playing boys", a word that is unknown in Germany. A German reader, however, reports that "The word "Ratsche" and the custom, to play these instruments during "Karwoche" is not limited to Austria, but also exists in Germany and I think Swizerland, as well." The traditions may vary from region to region and from parish to parish, and is held in Catholic places. At first only boys played the "Ratsche" but nowadays girls also join in. It's the same thing as with the altar boys which are now joined by h girls. Note the wheelbarrow-like carts, many boys seemed to have had these. An Austrian source tells HBC that there are Schubkarren-, Walzen-, Kasten-, Hammer- und Flügelratschen (wheelbarrow, roller, box, hammer and winglike Ratschen) However, I don't know how these different "Ratschen" might have looked, but I think the wheelbarrow like carts at are big "Ratschen". An Austrian reader reports seeing the wing like Ratschen once or twice. Also note the man in the cone hat.

Photograph

HBC has received numerous comments about this photograph posted on our Sudetnland page. Most focused on the Ratschenbuben's instruments rather than their clothing. Most focused on the Ratschenbuben's instruments rather than their clothing.

Instruments

One HBC reader tells us that "Ratschenbuben" is an Autrian word meaning "rattle playing boys", a word that is unknown in Germany.

Countries

A German reader, however, reports that "The word "Ratsche" and the custom, to play these instruments during "Karwoche" is not limited to Austria, but also exists in Germany and I think Swizerland, as well." The traditions may vary from region to region and from parish to parish, and is held in Catholic places.

Gender Trends

At first only boys played the "Ratsche" but nowadays girls also join in. It's the same thing as with the altar boys which are now being joined by the girls.

Wheelebarrows

Note the wheelbarrow-like carts, many boys seemed to have had these. An Austrian source tells HBC that there are Schubkarren-, Walzen-, Kasten-, Hammer- und Flügelratschen (wheelbarrow, roller, box, hammer and winglike Ratschen). However, I don't know how these different "Ratschen" might have looked, but I think the wheelbarrow like carts at are big "Ratschen". An Austrian reader reports seeing the wing like Ratschen once or twice.

Other Observations

Also note the man in the cone hat.

Ceremony

On the evening of day before Maundy Thursday, the day itself and Good Friday, people held a special kind of mass, called Pumper-, or Rumpelmette. It originated from Trauermesse Latin ( matutinum tenebrosum ). The church was darkened and each of the 13 (some say 7, 15 or even 31) candles lit, were put out after each Psalm. Leaving only on burning. This symbolised the apostles that fall away from Jesus with him being the last light.

Judasjagen/Judasratsche

After that there were uproars and noisemaking in church, because the church goers had brought several instruments and sticks with them. The Ratschenbuben used their rattles widely. And if they broke, they were put into the Easter fire. Still after that a young man wearing red clothes was driven out of the church and town. This part of the custom called “Judasjagen” (done mainly by school children) caused several "uprisings"--I believe meaning riots. Thus the mass was held since the 15th century under a very firm protocol in an attempt to maintai better control. The Schubkarrenratsche was sometimes called Judasratsche. Some think it is another way in driving out the winter from town. There are also different explanations what the rattling and making noise should mean: some say it was the uproar after the imprisonment of Jesus, others the anger against the Jews because they did this. Others again see the earth quake that took part after Jesus was crucified.

Chronology

Pumper-, or Rumpelmette and the Ratschenbuben dveloped as a popular tradition especially from 12th century. The last mass was held in the 18th century. The Ratschenbuben tradition, however, continued into modern times. The Ratschenbuben ceremony seen here in theSudetenland looks to have been taken in the 1930s (figure 1). It still could be held in some regions today, too. At least a part of a song sung at that time by Ratschenbuben during the 50s or 60s implies it:" Wir ratschen Wir ratschen die Pumpermetten, alte Weiber stehts auf und backts Osterflecken". Meaning: We’re rattling, we’re rattling the Pumpermette, old wives get up and bake Easter Flecken (a kind of bakery). There are several other verses of this song but this one does suggest the Pumpermette still existed.

Reader Comments

A German reader tells us, "I attended a Rumpelmette in 2003 at my parish church. It was held on Karsamstag (Holy Saturday) and very solemn. Thus it is still held, it just depends on the people who reintroduce it."

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Created: February 5, 2002
Last updated: August 6, 2003