Goaßl schnöllen – when the whips crack around Innsbruck

The Goaßl Schnöllen is a custom that has its roots high up in the mountains. At a time when there were no cell phones or radios, shepherds, hikers and mountain pasture owners used the loud crack of their whips - known as Goaßln - to communicate. The sound carries far: Schnöllt at the bottom of the valley, the crack of the whip echoes through the entire area up to the valley peaks. If you sound them at the summit, they can even be heard in the neighboring valleys.

In the past, Goaßl-Schnöllen was mainly reserved for men. Today, things are very different - many girls and women have also mastered this art with impressive precision. This is a particular source of enthusiasm for male schnöllers, who appreciate a strong female schnöller.

In the meantime, Goaßl-Schnöllen has developed into a popular tradition around Innsbruck. Numerous clubs maintain and promote Goaßl schnöllen, including Axamer Kirchtagsschnöller, Völser Fasnachtler, the Schnöllerassociation Längenfeld in Ötztal, Grinziger Schnöller and many more. Even a Tyrolean regional association for Goaßl and Peitschenschnöller has been founded.

The art of Schnöllens has long since gained recognition beyond the Tyrolean borders. The regional difference is interesting: while in the Innsbruck area Goaßln with relatively short, thick handles are common, whips with long wooden handles are used in South Tyrol.

In addition to the traditional aspect, Goaßl-Schnöllen has also established itself as a competitive sport. tyrolean provincial championships and even world championships were held in 2020. Participants compete in various disciplines - singles, doubles, triples and foursomes - in their age groups. Their performance is judged after a 30-second presentation time based on set rules and guidelines. The exact competition rules can be found on the Axamer Kirchtagsschnöller website.

The loud bang or "bang" is created by a skillful movement of the Goaßl. It is swung from side to side, breaking the speed of sound as it changes direction and thus producing the characteristic bang.

Craftsmanship: the production of a Goaßl

A Goaßl consists of a wooden handle with a loop, the actual whip rope and the so-called end part, the "Schmitza". There are a few craftsmen and women around Innsbruck who make these traditional whips by hand. In recent years, the trend of making your own Goaßl has spread - but this requires a lot of skill.

When it comes to materials, most people now use synthetic ropes as they are easier to maintain. In the past, hemp ropes were widely used. Making them requires a lot of skill: with four practiced hands, it takes around three hours to complete a Goaßl. Two people always work together on a single whip. It is made using a special knotting technique in which the rope becomes thinner and thinner towards the tip. Finally, each Goaßl is given a personal touch: the handle is often decorated with initials, a coat of arms or the Tyrolean eagle.

Over the course of time, the meaning of "Goaßl-Schnöllen" has changed. The custom has a particularly strong tradition during carnival: in Tyrol and the villages around Innsbruck, people "schnöll" the winter away.

The carnival custom in Axams is a special spectacle: the famous "Tuxer" - a traditional carnival figure in Axams - parade through the streets with their whips. The loud cracks are intended to drive away winter and welcome spring. The Goaßl-Schnöller:innen are also an integral part of the large and well-known carnival parades around Innsbruck, such as Telfs, Absam or Wattens.

The expression "a bäriger Schwein" actually has nothing to do with an animal, the pig. In Schnöller circles, it means something very special. When all the members of a club crack their whips perfectly to the same rhythm, it is called a "bäriger Schwein" - the perfect interplay in time.