Syncretic Characteristics of Schemenlaufen, the carnival of Imst, Austria

Schmenlaufen is a carnival held every four years in Imst, Austria on the Sunday before Lent(Fasnacht) begins. This carnival was listed in 2012 as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The various major characters appearing in Schemenlaufen include Roller and Scheller, the parody on Roller and Scheller(Laggeroller and Laggescheller), Bager(Sackner), Water Sprayer(Spiritzer), the Powder Girl(Kübelemaje), Bird Trader(Vogelhändler), Bear with his driver(Bärenbande), the chimney sweepers(Kaminer), the band of witches(Hexen und Hexenmusik). These characters symbolize abundance and fecundity, the seasonal change from winter to spring, and communication and harmony among communities. These characters' masks, costumes, and performances show a mixture of elements of Christianity, natural religions, and paganism.
This paper analyzes the various types of masks worn by the diverse characters in the preparation and progress of Schemenlaufen as well as the costume parades to define their syncretic characteristics.(Daegu University)