The Monday
Morgenstreich
Beginning
The Basel Fasnacht begins at 4 am on the dot on the Monday after Ash Wednesday. Then all the city lights are extinguished and thousands of drummers and flute players begin the opening notes to the marching music entitled, not coincidentally, ‘Morgestraich’.
Units
The drummers and flutists belong to big and smaller Cliques and very small groups known by the insiders as ‘Schyssdräggziigli’. There are some individuals who prefer to drum and play the flute alone as they march through the alleyways of Basel. The different cliques make their own way through the city following their own route. There are no prescribed routes for each clique.
Lanterns
Larger and smaller artistically painted Lanterns illuminate the city. The lanterns are either mounted on a chariot and then pulled or some strong bearers carry them on their shoulders. The lanterns illustrate the current Subject. The ‘Vortrab’ carry smaller lanterns which are mounted on long poles. You also see tiny lanterns which are mounted on the masks (‘Larve’). Some lanterns are also carried on the back.
Costumes
In regards to costumes there are no explicit rules for how to dress on Morgenstreich. All participants tend to wear costumes known as ‘Charivari’. These are traditional costumes, old ‘Zugkostüme’, or their own creation. Often the participants wear the same costume each year, thus as a result the Morgenstreich procession looks relatively similar even as the years progress.
Morgenstreich Music
The historical melody of ‘Morgenstraich’ is an old military call to attention. The existence of this tune can be traced back to the early 18th century. Its roots, however, are thought to be much older. The march consists of two verses that are repeated. Often they are played two times in a row. After this the song is no longer played during the rest of the festival.
No Gugge Music Groups
The ‘Gugge Music’ groups do not play at Morgenstreich. However, this wasn’t always the case. In 1962 a compromise was made between the Cliques and the ‘Gugge Music’ bands. The ‘Gugge Music’ groups should not ‘butt in’ to the Morgenstreich procession. In return the ‘Gugge Music’ bands take to the streets commandeering the alleyways on their own to perform on Tuesday evening.
Length
Morgenstreich tends to last for the most part until daybreak on Monday morning. There is time to rest and recuperate before the official afternoon parade (‘Cortege’). Many groups continue playing long after daybreak. Some even until the afternoon, however, these groups do not perform in the afternoon parade.
Visitors
In the squares of the bigger streets (Barfüsserplatz, Marktplatz, Rümmelinsplatz, Falknerstrasse and Freie Strasse) there are many more visitors as opposed to the older parts of the city, such as Leonhardskirche, Martinskirche, Nadelberg and Münsterplatz.
