Traditional Costumes
Classic Costumes of Basel Fasnacht
Zug Costumes, Fantasy Costumes, Classic Costumes
Besides so-called ‘Zugkostüme’ and self-created fantasy costumes you can find several ‘classic costumes’. These costumes are quite popular and are mainly worn when the costume can be freely chosen.
Development
These classic figures have emerged and changed over the course of time in Europe and with the development of theatre and carnival. It is therefore difficult to trace their origins precisely up to the present day as ultimately much has not been researched sufficiently and therefore remains in the dark.
Appearance shaped by Change
The appearance of these classic costumes is also characterised by social change. After the Second World War and with increasing prosperity, for example, the costumes became more elegant and the fabrics more refined and harmonised. How a costume is made depends on the financial means and the willingness to invest. Depending on the disposition simpler costumes are generally preferred again today.
Nine of these traditional figures are described below.
Altfrank
Origins of the Figure
The figure of Altfrank represents a man of noble disposition, a nobleman, so to speak, at the time of the late Baroque. The costume has its origins in baroque bourgeois dress. This in turn goes back to military uniforms of the early 17th century.
ContinueOld Aunt
Lady of the Upper-Class
The character of the Old Aunt can be traced back to caricatures of older upper-class women who resided in Basel. The figure came to prominence in Fasnacht at the end of the 19th century and by the beginning of the 20th century had become a beloved fixture in the procession. The clothing and accessories that accompany the portrayal of this figure come in part from the Biedermeier time period.
ContinueBlätzlibajass
Sewn together with Bits of Cloth
The Blätzlibajass is a buffoon. The costume is made of small pieces of cloth (Basel dialect ‘Blätzli’). It is quite possible that ‘Bajass’ is derived from the French Paillasse (a character in the comédie italienne).
ContinueDomino
Piece of Clothing
The domino is actually a piece of clothing. It became a classic Fasnacht figure for the Basel Fasnacht. The Fasnacht Guide of 1945 says: ‘Practical costume for gentlemen (until before the Second World War women were not allowed to take part in the street carnival) who are already wearing their evening suit and want to intrigue for an hour. Wide black or coloured overcoat with hood.’
ContinueDummpeter
Origins uncertain
It is not possible to say exactly how and when the figure of Dummpeter emerged. It is claimed that it almost disappeared before the Second World War. In any case the costume is strongly reminiscent of the Rococo period (late Baroque). The figure is shown on the badges of 1914 and 1933 and possibly has its roots in Germany.
ContinueHarlequin
Service Figure derived from the Commedia dell’arte
The figure of the Harlequin is derived from the Commedia dell’arte. The costume itself is taken from the Arlecchino. In its beginnings the costume was very simple: it was composed of a wide white blouse and white long pants. Over time the design has been modified. The blouse and pants have become narrower and with the input of more fantasy designs the costume has become more colorful.
ContinuePierrot
Ideal in the early 19th Century
The Pierrot of Basel Fasnacht would have felt most at home in the early 19th century. The Pantomime Jean-Gaspard Deburau created the character in Paris. With this figure we see that he wore a black cap which in the Basel Fasnacht is mostly made out of felt. The character itself has an almost melancholy presence.
ContinueUeli
Medieval Court Jester
The Ueli takes its look from the medieval court jester whose attributes also characterise his costume.
ContinueWaggis
Caricature of an Alsatian Farmer
The Waggis can be seen as a caricature of a 19th century Alsatian farmer. In contrast, for the Alsatians themselves, a Waggis was more of a day-taler or vagabond. Hence the term ‘Waggis’, presumably a variation of the word vagabond.
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