Poodle mother: An ancient custom returns home to Styria!

Poodle mother: An ancient custom returns home to Styria!

The fascinating tradition of the poodle mother in Styria brings back memories of bygone times. This mysterious figure makes its rounds especially on the night of January 5th to 6th. How steiermark.orf.at reports, the poodle mother, who calls herself “poodle” in dialect, brings small gifts over the threshold while she goes around in old clothes. In the past, their presence was particularly important as it brought joy to children who often suffered from scant supplies of sweets and fruit. Cecilia Muhr talks about the memories of older generations in which “there were many families who had no fruit at all in winter”.

There are still different variations of this custom in Weiz and other regions today. The mother poodle moves from house to house and expects that the floors have been swept properly beforehand. Otherwise it could be that she doesn't “poodle” gifts. Kerstin Reisinger remembers how her grandmother dressed up mysteriously and, when everything was in order, came in with apples and little surprises without saying a word meinkreis.at reported. However, this custom is practiced less and less often and is often forgotten, even if some families, like the Reisingers, actively adhere to it.

Traditional customs on Epiphany

The poodle mother is the focus of the last of the twelve Raunächte, which ends on Epiphany. Despite its slow decline, this custom is still an exciting way to maintain a connection to the region's traditions. Manuel Gasser from the Pöllauberg Cultural Association emphasizes that the local variations of this custom reflect the diversity of Styrian culture and keep stories from the past alive. In fact, the mother poodle has not only entertainment value but also a deeper cultural meaning, embodying the values ​​of family, order and giving.