The Zussl Race in Prad at the Stelvio Pass

For this extraordinary carnival custom, the men and boys of the village dress up as Zussl, for which they are wrapped from head to toe in white garments and decorated with crepe paper flowers and colorful loops. Around the waist dangle homemade bells or cowbells, which often weigh more than twenty kilograms.

It is suspected that behind this custom was originally a fertility cult, since at the first parade a wooden plough pulled by six white horses – also men dressed in white – is drawn through the alleys. Then comes the wagoner, who drives the horses with a so-called Goaßl (whip) and steers the plow. The wagoner is followed by the sower. He carries a basket with sawdust, with which he throws at the spectators. After that come the farmer and his wife, the farmhand and the maid, and finally the couple named "Zoch" and "Pfott". All persons are equipped with agricultural tools, which represents the walk to the field.

The second parade is led by the "Triebschelle", where a "Triebschelle" refers to the heaviest and largest Zussl bell. The "Triebschellträger" is dressed in a flower-embroidered, white smock and is accompanied by a white horse. Behind the "Triebschelle" follow the Zussl, who also make a lot of noise. The Zussl wear a white hat with loops and colorful flowers, then follow the couples and the wagoner, who at this parade keeps everyone together with his Goaßl. Thus, the "Zussln" march through the village for hours in order to drive away the evil spirits and the cold, or to awaken the grain.