It is so much fun to read about the history, legends and folklore of the German festivals. It gives you a great feeling of connection with our ancestors.

My grandma grew up in Steinsfurt, in the state of Baden Wurttemberrg in Germany in the late 1800's. Due south about 2 hours by car is the city of
Rottweil, yup that is where the breed of dog comes from.

It is a city steeped in medieval legends and from that many traditons have evolved.

I would love to travel to Rottweil on the day of the parade, called
Narrensprung or Fool's Jump

The tradition goes back to the early 1300's during the Holy Roman Empire where lent was practiced for 40 days from Ash Wednesday all the way up to Easter.

The religious and the town leaders worked together in making it mandatory to fast for 40 days starting Ash Wednesday. They knew this was not always fun for citizens. In fact they knew this would be Major stress for many. So they came up with the idea for a festival for them to go crazy, left off steam and even let the Jesters in an organized game, steal the keys to Town Hall and take over the Mayor's office.

Starting on Dirty Thursday (Schmotziger Donnerstag) before Ash Wednesday, the mischeif begins.
People dress up in special masks and costumes and the keys from the town hall are stolen. With the masks on they can say anything they want about the Mayor and the government and poke fun at all in power.

On Monday there is the Narrensprung or the Fools Jump parade down one o the main streets to the town hall.

You don't just go to the store and buy a crazy mask. All the masks and costumes are traditional from centuries past.

I am sure that my ancestors were part of some of these festivals so I love to watch some of these parades on Youtube and read the background of why they do these crazy things.

In the Rottweil parade there is one character in particular that stands out