We studied the acoustic aspect of a traditional courtship custom in Eastern Tyrol. In december frightfully masked lads, raving like madmen, visit families with marriageable girls. The lads have their hips belted with cow bells, weighing 10 to 20 kg. Ringing them with bouncing hip movements they produce a terrifying noise, up to 120 dB within a kitchen or living room, that dins in everybody's ears.

Literature
Wickler, Wolfgang & Seibt Uta 1981: Lärm als wesentliches Element im osttiroler Klaubauf-Laufen. Anthropos 76, 577-583