What do the foolish people really want when they shout “Kamelle”? And what is the costume that cannot be named? The little carnival ABC provides answers to questions that are not always easy.
Carnival is a world of its own. Here are some key technical terms and problem areas in alphabetical order:
ALAAF: Call of the Cologne carnivalists. Means something like “Cologne above all”. It is said to have been heard for the first time when angry citizens of Cologne stormed an archbishop’s fortress tower in the Middle Ages (today Alice Schwarzer’s “Emma” editorial team is located there). Caution: The Düsseldorf carnival cry “Helau” is sanctioned in the Cologne area.
BÜTT: Barrel-shaped desk where more or less funny speeches are made. Not to be confused with Bützje – a non-binding kiss on the cheek.
CARNEVAL: Original spelling of “carnival”. The term is probably made up of the two Latin words “carnis” (meat) and “levare” (to take away) and refers to the Lent period during which meat was not allowed to be eaten.
STAR OF DAVID: Found under the carnival hat of the “Kölsche Kippa Köpp”, the first Jewish carnival club since the Nazi era.
DISINHIBITION, TEMPORARY: Carnival turns the world upside down – but only for a few days. The motto is: celebrate today, dance in line again tomorrow.
FASCHING: This is what carnival is called, especially in Bavaria. More exotic for Rhinelanders than Carnival in Rio.
GRASS, GÜNTER: Studied in the carnival stronghold of Düsseldorf and wrote the short story “One of our fellow citizens: Prince Carnival” in 1968. It’s about a prince who was an SA storm leader. In view of the author’s membership in the Waffen-SS, which became known much later, this is not without explosiveness.
HÖHNER: Carnival band that repeatedly assures Cologne residents in particular that there is nothing left to improve about their city.
INDIAN: Formerly the classic, today just the costume whose name cannot be mentioned. The “I costume” is increasingly seen as a case of concerning cultural appropriation.
VIRGO: A member of the Cologne triumvirate who is traditionally embodied by a man – except during the Nazi era, when the travesty was forbidden.
CAMELLE: Originally caramel candies, but no one wants them anymore today. The foolish people shout “Camel!” on Rose Monday, but expect at least chocolate bars, pralines and bouquets of flowers in return.
PRAISE OF FOLLY: Title of a book by the humanist Erasmus of Rotterdam (1466/69-1536). In European intellectual history it forms the theoretical basis for all kinds of ridicule, parody and satire.
FURNITURE HOUSE: Vanishing point for non-carnival opponents of organized cheerfulness. Their motto: “The trick is to fuck off until it’s Ash Wednesday again.”
NEGER, ERNST: Greatest of all carnival stars. Lived in Mainz from 1909 to 1989. One theory is that his song “Heile heile Gänsje” subliminally suggested to guilt-ridden post-war Germans that their sins would be forgiven.
ORDER: Once intended to parody courtly and military honors, they then became objects of prestige themselves. Note: The meeting carnival can be a very serious matter, the rule applies: “Nur nit laache!” (Just don’t laugh!) At least not in the wrong place.
PRINCE CARNIVAL: Originally there was no carnival prince, but a carnival king. In 1824, however, the Prussian police ensured that the King of Carnival became a hero of Carnival and later a prince. Reason: There is only one king in Prussia – and he sits in Berlin.
QUERULANTISM: If you are injured by camels or other projectiles during the Rose Monday procession, you have yourself to blame. The local district court has ruled that throwing camels is “socially common, generally recognized and permitted” in Cologne.
ROSE MONDAY: The highlight of the street carnival with parades that are broadcast on television for what feels like 24 hours.
SESSION: The carnivalist doesn’t talk about the new season, but about the session.
TUSH: Shows participants in a carnival session when to laugh.
UNIFORM: Attention! The Prince’s Guard does not wear a costume, but rather a uniform.
VIVA COLONIA: Carnival anthem to which the Rhenish soul dances on the tables. Even in Düsseldorf.
WILDPINKLER: Your most prominent victim at Carnival is the Cologne Cathedral, where the caustic urine decomposes the centuries-old rock.
REPEAT X TIMES: Carnival celebrates the return of the same thing. For 20 years, Ernst Hilbich sang the song “Today is carnival in Knieritz an der Knatter” in the carnival edition of the ARD show “Zum Blauen Bock”. You saw him as a child, and when you had children of your own, you still saw him.
Y-CHROMOSOME: Carnival is still very male-dominated, but it used to be even worse. When Carolin Kebekus called at the beginning of her career and asked whether she could perform at a certain carnival session, she was often answered: “Unfortunately, the women’s slot is already taken.”
ZOCH: Anyone who doesn’t know what the Zoch is is probably one of the majority of German citizens who don’t care about Carnival.