Räbeliechtli
Räbeliechtli is celebrated in early November mostly in the German-speaking regions of Switzerland. Children carve radishes into lanterns. The festival has its roots in Nordic traditions.
The word Räbeliechtli comes from "rabe" or "rübe" meaning "turnip" and "liecht" or "licht" meaning "light". The "li" at the end of the word is the diminutive, making it "the little light of the turnip".
As part of the festival, children sing this song (especially the first verse)...
Räbeliechtli
Little Turnip Lantern
Lantern Song
Lantern Song
(Swiss German)
(English)
Räbeliechtli, Räbeliechtli,
wo gasch hii?
I de dunkle Nacht,
ohni Sterneschii,
da mues mis Liechtli sii.
Räbeliechtli, Räbeliechtli,
wo bisch gsii?
Dur d'Strass duruf
und s'Gässli ab,
das Liechtli löscht nöd ab.
Räbeliechtli, Räbeliechtli,
wänn gahsch hei?
Wänn de Biiswind blast
und mer s'Liechtli löscht
dann gahn ich wieder hei.
Turnip lantern, little turnip lantern,
Where are you going?
In the dark night
Without stars,
There must be my little light.
Turnip lantern, little turnip lantern,
Where are you?
Up the street
And down the little alley,
The little light does not go out.
Turnip lantern, little turnip lantern
When are you coming back home?
When the north wind blows
And my little light goes out,
Then I get to go back home.
Notes
People walk in a procession with their lanterns in towns and villages or schools. Sometimes they walk with their families and sometimes it's part of a school event.
Comments
Alternate Spelling:
Räbeliechtli, Räbeliechtli,
wo gasch hii?
I de tunkle Nacht,
ohni Schtärneschii,
da mues mis Liechtli sii.
Räbeliechtli, Räbeliechtli,
wo bisch gsii?
Dur d'Strass uuf
und s'Gässli ab,
Gäll Liechtli lösch nöd ab. (For sure, the little light doesn't die out)
Räbeliechtli, Räbeliechtli,
wänn gahsch hei?
Wänn de Biiswind blast
und mer s'Liechtli löscht
dann gahn ich wider hei.
You can read more about the Turnip Festival in Switzerland on Mama Lisa's Blog.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Thanks and Acknowledgements
Translated by Lisa Yannucci and Monique Palomares.
Photo: Räbenlichter, cc.
