Traditional Gansabhauet in Sursee

Gansabhauet [cutting down the goose from a rope] is an archaic tradtion in the country town Sursee near Lucerne, central Switzerland. The yearly event takes place in front of the old town hall at Rathausplatz every year on Martini [St. Martin's day, November, 11th] at 3 pm. Young people try their skills and fortune cutting a goose from a rope. The tradition is related to the fact that interests and taxes were due on Martini day in the middle ages and farmers had to deliver 10% of their crops in town.

Cutting a goose from a rope may sound trivial, but the rules of the game are as follows:
> Participants have to wear a blindfold and a mask symbolizing the sun
> The sword is rather edgeless
> Every participant has one try only
> There are about 80 participants and two geese only
> The sequence of participants is drawn by lot

Usually the first participant stands no chance to cut the goose from the rope, but if he or she does a good job, the second or third one may succeed. Participants are guided out of the town hall by a member of the guild organizing the event and two drummers play until the participant has found the rope. Winners take off their blindfold on stage, the other participants return into town hall under their mask.

Note that the geese are killed by professional butchers before the event begins so there is no cruelty to animals involved with this tradition.