Culture

Culture in general

The geographical remoteness of Samnaun brought a linguistic change from Romanic to German with it. The Samnauner are in the language sense, the smallest minority in Switzerland. The Tyrolean dialect of the inhabitants belongs linguistically to south Bavaria. Meadow names are today a reminder of the Romanic forefathers.

Pater Maurus Carnot, priest, poet and teacher, was a native of Samnaun. There is a Pater Maurus Carnot Foundation which collects and publishes his works.

Traditions and customs

Formerly a whole range of ancient customs were very much alive in Samnaun. Today these are limited to two events involving children only.

On New Year's Day, after the church service, the children go around all the houses and wish the grown-ups a Happy New Year: "Mir winscha ench a glickseiligs nuis Jour". As a symbolic 'thank you' the children receive a small coin.

Another charming custom takes place on the evening before St Nicolas Day. In each village the children, dressed as  Santa Claus and his companion with the whip, and all equipped with cow-bells visit every family in their village. In the houses they sing songs and recite poems. As thanks they receive money and sweets. This delightful custom is called "Clauwau"..

Now this custom has been given a new dimension in Samnaun. At the start of the winter season the Clau Wau Santa Claus World Championship takes place.

But here we also want to mention customs that are no longer practised today.

Formerly in January / February, more or less in every household one or more pigs would be slaughtered. On this occasion neighbours and relatives would be invited to eat sausages and bacon. In the course of the evening the company received a visit from masked boys and girls of the village, the so-called 'Maschgeren'. Disguising their voices, the young people gave a performance, teasing this or that guest. When they finished their 'presentation' the master of the house gave them a taste of the home-butchery comestibles. Another Samnaun valley tradition was connected with the betrothal. According to ancient custom this could only be celebrated on St. Stephan's Day (26th December). If man and maiden were plighted lovers, the rule had it that the engagement must be kept secret until the time came for it be made public. A week before Christmas the bride ordered through a reliable relative or directly from the baker a large pear-loaf, which was secretly carried to her house on the evening before the feast. On the morning of St Stephan's Day, the bridegroom in the company of several men from his family made his appearance in the house of his beloved, bringing several bottles of wine. Here the solemn celebration of the betrothal took place. The bride had the right to insert the knife in the bread; then the bridegroom cut the slices.