The St. Nicholas fever grips even the "oldies"

At the beginning of December, the St. Nicholas groups go from house to house through the municipality of Oberägeri. Participation is usually only permitted for young single men. 
 

Evening after evening, the young men of Alosen meet in their community centre (Mehrzweckgebäude). With patient handiwork, they repair the Iffelen (illuminated St. Nicholas figures in the shape of a bishop’s mitre: see note below), repainting chipped areas, glueing cracks, or punching out new designs. They will soon be presenting the colourful creations as part of the St. Nicholas group (Chlausrotte), first in Alosen and later in Oberägeri. "We repair the Iffelen ourselves," explains Luca Rogenmoser, the 22-year-old president of the Alosen group.

This strengthens the group's cohesion and, on the other hand, ensures that the bearers treat their ‘Iffelen’ with care, he explains. Almost everyone in the group starts with this task. Alosen residents are welcome – participation is reserved for young, unmarried men – from the first year of secondary school onwards. They serve as Iffelen carriers for three years, after which they can advance to yoke carrier, Samichlaus (Santa Claus), Schmutzli (Santa's helper), Chlausesel carrier (donkey carrier), Geislenchlepfer (whip cracker), or Örgeler (accordion player).

The highlight of this year's St. Nicholas tradition in Oberägeri is the grand parade through the village centre                Photo: Matthias Jurt
The youngest members are responsible for repairing the Iffelen. They have set up a workshop for this in the multi-purpose building in Alosen           Photos: Zuger Zeitung
Samichlaus with his servant (Diener) and Schmützli        Photo: Hünenberg Pfarrerei
 

Even as a small boy, you eagerly anticipated the initiation, recalls Luca Rogenmoser. The anticipation for the Chlausesel tradition is correspondingly high: "These are the best evenings, better than Carnival," he says, describing his feelings. And that's saying something in Alosen.

St. Nicholas knocks on every door
The young men won't have to wait much longer. On the 4th and 5th December, they and their group will go from house to house – unannounced and uninvited – and St. Nicholas will enter wherever the door is opened. This is a special tradition in Oberägeri. He and his companion, the ‘Schmutzli’ (a black-faced assistant in monk’s robes) bring nuts, clementines, and gingerbread, and will also say a word or two of warning to any ‘naughty’ children present. They are then thanked with St. Nicholas rhymes or a musical performance. The groups receive some financial donations and, here and there, food and drink.

Finally, on 6th December, the fourth St. Nicholas group parade will take place in Oberägeri (see info box). The Alösler group will also be represented there.

St. Nicholas Parade through Oberägeri
The grand St. Nicholas parade through the village centre of Oberägeri begins at 7:30 pm on Saturday, 6th December. The parade concludes with the traditional "Ustriichle" (a customary ringing of the bell) at the fire station. The following groups will participate: the Klausengesellschaft Oberägeri, the Alosen-Rotte, the Bethenbühl-Rotte, the Mitteldorfberg-Rotte, the Morgarten-Rotte and the Rämsli-Rotte. Almost all the groups also include former members.

The parade was established a few years ago. The local authorities and the St. Nicholas groups agreed to organise a parade with all participants whenever the 6th December falls on a Saturday (as is the case in 2025).

The tradition is thriving, and Luca Rogenmoser and his fellow committee members have no shortage of new members. The groups consist of approximately 60 people, divided into smaller groups, which then make their way to the houses. Andri Iten (19) is a group leader. He makes sure everyone stays together and that they continue on together after the house visits. An impressive procession, visible and audible from afar, then makes its way through the streets.

A report on the 2025 Samichlaus activities in Zug can be found in our Zug Life section:
https://www.zug4you.ch/en/zug-life/a/samichlaus-2025
 

The ’Iffele’
The Iffele is an important element of the Chlausesele (St. Nicholas procession). An Iffele is an oversized illuminated bishop's mitre, referencing Saint Nicholas of Myra, the patron saint of St. Nicholas. Iffele are illuminated from within by candles, and the motifs on the Iffele range from abstract designs to religious symbols, depictions of saints, and village scenes. Making an Iffele requires some craftsmanship. However, with suitable instructions and a construction plan, this challenge can be overcome. The creator is then free to choose their motifs and colours.