Stuff To Blow Your Mind The Monstrefact: The Silvesterkläuse
Dec 31, 2025
Discover the intriguing tradition of the Silvesterkläuse, a Swiss New Year’s celebration featuring both beautiful and monstrous masks. Learn how these festive figures, part of the mummer parade, blend myth and cultural history, from Pope Sylvester I to pagan roots. The podcast explores the duality of the ugly Klausa, adorned with fearsome masks and natural materials, and the pretty-ugly Klausa, showcasing a mix of styles. Robert also discusses global traditions of noise-making to ring in the New Year, highlighting a universal celebration of renewal.
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Three Klausa Types In Swiss New Year
- The Sylvesterkläuse are a New Year mummer tradition in the Swiss canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden featuring three types of costumed marchers.
- The beautiful, ugly, and pretty-ugly Klausa combine masks, headdresses, natural materials, and giant bells to perform door-to-door blessings.
Monstrous Masks And Bells Define The Ugly Klausa
- The Ugly Klausa embody wilderness with monstrous masks and bodies of hay, straw, moss, or fir trimmings.
- All Klausa wear and ring large bells as a core part of the performance and presence announcement.
Doorstep Blessings And Strange Drinking Rituals
- The Klausa announce themselves at houses by jumping and ringing multiple bells until the door opens.
- They wish occupants a great new year and accept cash and drink, sipping through long straws because of their masks.