The carnival celebrated in the southwest region of Germany and in parts of northern Switzerland is called the Schwäbisch-Alemannische Fasnet. Literally translated, "Fasnet" means carnival. It differs from the other forms of Fasnet or "Fasching," because full face masks, called "Larven" or "Schemmen," are worn. These masks are usually carved out of wood; however, some may be made from papier-mâché or clay. The masks represent three main characters: the fool, devil and witch. Today, these masks are hand-carved from linden or pine wood. The original Fasnet mask were first produced in the Middle Ages, when they were made from leather, fur, straw or clay. Costume wearers with little or no money painted their faces with ashes or corn flour. Today, masks worn by the guilds of Rottweil, Endingen and Villingen still represent the traditional designs from hundreds of years ago. Other towns use designs from the late 20th century. The Fool One of the oldest and most colorful figures is the fool, or jester, Narro, from Villingen. He is depicted as the aristocrat of the Alemannian Fasnet. Another "fool," Hansel, from Donaueschingen, is one of the most colorful figures of Fasnet. Biss and his sidekick, "im Gschell," the bell-covered fools from Rottweil, also share an ancient tradition. These fools are called Weissnarren, or white fools, who wear long white costumes that are extensively embroidered or painted. Traditionally, all white fools are played by men. In contrast to the white fools, with their elegant costumes, the "Blätzle," "Spättle" or "Fleckennarren" are patchwork fools. All of their costumes are made of rags or pieces of fabric. However, as the economy of their originating areas developed, the materials of the patchwork clothing, as well as the quality of the masks, became more elaborate. The Stuttgart-Bad Cannstatt guild features the "Felben" (patchwork fools) with red and green pieces of fabric sewn into full-length costumes. The Witch The witch is another important figure in regional Fasnet festivities. The Offenburg witch is considered one of the oldest masks worn during the Swabian-Alemannian Fasnet. Many other areas adopted this figure, and most parades, some outside of the Swabian region, now feature witches in their line-up. Where the figure originated is unclear; however, the oldest known wooden witch mask was carved in Tirol and dates back to the 18th century. The actual witch figure is thought to be much older. The Devil The devil mask is said to be the oldest and most common figure in the Fasnet tradition, and has been commonly used in the central Black Forest area since the Middle Ages. Today, the devil figure often takes on the role as "witch master" in parades. For example, in Offenburg, he directs and orders the witches about. The devil is considered one of the historical figures of the Swabian Fasnet. In southwest Germany, all costume wearers are called "Hästräger" and wear the same costumes and masks every year. Some of the costumes seen during Fasnet parades have been handed down through generations. Most costume wearers are part of a guild. These guilds are organized into so-called "Narrenvereinigungen" (fools unions.) Visitors to the Swabian area may want to check out the Fasnet museum, "Narrenschopf," in Bad Durrheim, where all of the 73 Swabian-Alemannian guilds from Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria and Switzerland are represented. The Narrenschopf museum is open Tuesday to Saturday from 2-5:30 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The entrance fee is €3 for adults and €2 for children. For more information on the museum and guilds, visit www.narrenschopf.de, www.narrenzunft-rottweil.de, or www.kuebelesmarkt.de.