The word Charivari originaly comes from the Latin word “Caribaria” which means “disarrangement” or “craziness”. The Charivari (pronounced Shari-vari) is especially worn in the alpine regions of Bavaria and Tyrolia by both men and women. The men wear the Charivari on the front of the Lederhosen. The ladies Charivari is called “Charini” and is worn on the Dirndl apron or pinned to the bodice of the Dirndl.
The Charivari consists of a massive silver or silver plated chain with different kinds of lucky charms. The most popular ones are silver coins, gemstones, venison teeth or very small parts of deer antlers. The charms also show off the skills of hunters and are a very important status symbol for rich farmers.
It is important to always have an uneven number of charms on your Charivari, even numbers bring about bad luck.
In the last century, the tradition of the Charivari was almost lost but with today’s renaissance of traditional costumes, the Charivari has again an important meaning as traditional jewelery and gives each Lederhosen or Dirndl an individual note.
