Perchten winter festival

Participants dressed as Perchten roam village streets to chase away evil winter spirits in the annual Perchten gathering in Bavaria near Kirchseeon, Germany, Nov. 29, 2014.

Perchten are the mythical entourage of Perchta, a goddess in ancient southern German alpine pagan tradition, and are usually fearsome creatures with tusks and horns and covered in hair. The tradition dates back at least to the 16th century and is also related to traditions of Krampus, Teifel, Klausen and La Befana, all animal-like creatures in the German, Austrian, Italian and Swiss alpine regions whose duties include instilling fear into naughty children.

Kirchseeon, Germany

Participants dressed as Perchten roam village streets to chase away evil winter spirits in the annual Perchten gathering in Bavaria on November 29, 2014 near Kirchseeon, Germany.

Kirchseeon, Germany

Perchten are the mythical entourage of Perchta, a goddess in ancient southern German alpine pagan tradition, and are usually fearsome creatures with tusks and horns and covered in hair.

Kirchseeon, Germany

The Perchten tradition dates back at least to the 16th century.

Kirchseeon, Germany

The Perchten tradition is also related to traditions of Krampus, Teifel, Klausen and La Befana, all animal-like creatures in the German, Austrian, Italian and Swiss alpine regions whose duties include instilling fear into naughty children.

Kirchseeon, Germany

Participants dressed as Perchten roam village streets to chase away evil winter spirits in the annual Perchten gathering in Bavaria on November 29, 2014 near Kirchseeon, Germany.

Kirchseeon, Germany

Participants dressed as Perchten roam village streets to chase away evil winter spirits.

Kirchseeon, Germany

Participants dressed as Perchten are silhouetted by torches during the annual Perchten gathering in Bavaria on Nov. 29, 2014 near Kirchseeon, Germany.

Kirchseeon, Germany

A Participant dressed as Percht poses for a portrait.

Kirchseeon, Germany

Participants dressed as Perchten carry torches as they roam village streets to chase away evil winter spirits.

Kirchseeon, Germany

Perchten are the mythical entourage of Perchta, a goddess in ancient southern German alpine pagan tradition, and are usually fearsome creatures with tusks and horns and covered in hair.

Kirchseeon, Germany

Wooden masks lie at the ready during the annual Perchten gathering.

Kirchseeon, Germany

Participants dressed as Perchten roam village streets to chase away evil winter spirits in the annual Perchten gathering in Bavaria on November 29, 2014 near Kirchseeon, Germany.

Kirchseeon, Germany

Participants dressed as Perchten roam village streets to chase away evil winter spirits in the annual Perchten gathering in Bavaria on November 29, 2014 near Kirchseeon, Germany.

Kirchseeon, Germany

The Perchten tradition dates back at least to the 16th century and is also related to traditions of Krampus, Teifel, Klausen and La Befana, all animal-like creatures in the German, Austrian, Italian and Swiss alpine regions whose duties include instilling fear into naughty children.