«Silvesterchlausen» (Swiss New Year's Eve Spirits)

The tradition of the «Silvesterchlausen» (or New Year's Eve Spirits) is the most impressive winter custom in the hinterland of Ausserrhoden, i.e. in the communities of Urnäsch, Herisau, Hundwil, Stein, Waldstatt, Schwellbrunn and Schönengrund. For several years these festivities have also been taking place again on the Swiss plateau, especially in Teufen, and it now looks as though this old custom could be regaining lost ground.

Today a clear distinction is more or less made between three types of «Chlausen» or spirits: the «wüeschte» or ugly, the «beautiful» and the «forest and nature» spirits. In the early morning hours on New Year's Eve, many people in «Chlause» costumes from Urnäsch set off to chase away the evil spirits from the old year. It is then common to ring the doorbell of a friend or member of the group and sing a type of traditional yodel, but without the mask and headdress.