Day 24 – Zwetschgenmännla – Prune People
“For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:” Matthew 25:35
Did you read the title and think what? This is a little unknown tradition in our America but I thought it was fun. For those of you who are crafty, maybe you could make some Prune People with your children. So what are they?
One popular item at German Christmas Markets are ‘Prune People’ Zwetschgenmännla. These are little figures made from dried plums fruits and nuts.
Zwetschgenmännla are normally about 6 inches tall and often have a wire skeleton with a body made of figs, prunes for their arms and legs and often a walnut for their head, which has a face painted on it. The figures come in a large range of characters which are dressed in different outfits.
You do not eat Zwetschgenmännla. The figures can keep for many years. The dried fruit can turn slightly white or grey, when sugar comes out of it. This can normally be gently wiped off.
There’s a legend which says Zwetschgenmännla were created by an old man who lived in Nuremberg. The man became sick and some local children sang to him, which he said made him better. To thank the children, he made them little people out of dried fruits. The children really liked their little people and the story about the Zwetschgenmännla spread throughout the city and then to other areas.
There’s a record of a Zwetschgenmännla as ‘little men made of prunes’ at Christmas in 1801, and children first sold them at Christmas markets in the 19th century.
In some parts of Germany, and in many Austrian Christmas markets, you can get ‘Zwetschgenkrampus’ (plum krampus), which the look like the Krampus monster.
Zwetschgenmännla are also sold in other parts of the world, especially those with historic German connections.
“Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.”
Acts 20:34
I hope you’ve enjoyed these past 24 days of learning about traditions (really around the world). It’s been fun for me to write about them. There is so much to learn in our big world but the best reason to celebrate Christmas is God’s Son entering the world to save us from our sins. I trust you know Him today! You can find out more about His wondrous love in this book.