'Palmbosch'n'
The farmers in the Berchtesgadener Land have been using modern tractors for decades now, the cows are pumped by electric milking machines and most farmers' wives wouldn't know how to get by without their microwave in the kitchen. And yet, the Berchtesgadeners still believe in the 'magic powers' of the Palmbosch'n (literally 'palm bushes').
'Palm sunday'
One does not find a farm in the area that isn't decorated in spring with so-called palm bushes that ornament the entire house from the bedrooms to the stables. It is, in fact, a willow branch, measuring between 60 and 140 cm (two to five feet) in length, that is used instead of a palm leaf - hard to come by in the area!
Each of these undergoes a certain ritual before it can be used. The uppermost twigs of the willow branch are slit open and a small switch of beech or cedar is inserted. This is meant to bring blessings upon the house. The Palmbosch'n are also decorated with 'Gschabertbandl'. These multicolored ribbon ornaments are made from long wood shavings that have been dyed and ironed. A final touch is given to the 'willow palms': two tiny slits are cut into the stem under the bark. This is said to 'release the witches and druids' who are believed to hibernate in there.
Witches and druids? What have they to do with the Christian palm tradition that commemorates Jesus' arrival in Jerusalem? The palm is symbolic of nature's life-force, the positive force that awakens spring each year. This life-force has to combat the negative, destructive force symbolized by witches and druids.
Today, these pagan rites are nearly forgotten, yet the tradition has been carried on as a Christian one. After the 'palm' willows have been carried to church by the children, the blest stems are placed in the fields where their 'magic' powers - or today - their 'blessings' can take effect. To the locals, this customs announces the spring and is a silent prayer for a good year.