Page 24 - Guide_EN

Female Farmhands Dorm The dorm for the female farmhands is very simply furnished - two beds along the wall, straw mattresses, quilts, a basic chest of drawers, a cupboard and a “Schlenggeln” trunk or chest. The trunk was used to store all clothing and personal possessions whilst on the farm and when travelling. All the necessary materials for the creation of a Dirndl, worn on special occasions, are found in the cabinet and include embroidery, ribbons and a variety of handmade textiles. Schlenggeln (Schlenkern) Trunk February 2nd, Candlemas Day was a very important date in the calendar because it was the last day of the rural working year. It was on this day that the annual salary was paid and the “working contracts” were extended (by handshake) or when a farmhand chose to move on to a new place of employ- ment. When this happened, they carried all of their worldly belongings and possessions in their “Schlenggeln” trunks. As well as their salary, which took the form of money, clothing or food, the farmhands also received a small but very important reference book. It contai- ned information about all their previous places of employment, their behavior and strengths. “Schlenggeln” Day or Trunk Day was the day when the farmhands moved on to their next place of employment and was usually Saint Blaise’s Day, Febru- ary 3rd. February 4th was the annual holiday and the new working year began on February 5th. 22