Mazza Cula

The game was introduced in Masein by people who had moved here from Tschappina. Funnily enough, the tradition has since been lost there. Only in the neighbouring village of Flerden is Mazza Cula still practised today. And this rare sport is still practised in the Lower Engadine.

The equipment includes a mazza mallet. The mazza consists of a wooden stick (preferably hazel) about 1.5 metres long. At the front is a block of birch, ash or beech wood about 25 cm long. Its diameter is approx. 5-10 cm, it is conical and flattened on one side. The cula (ball) is a round wooden ball (stocking ball) with a diameter of 5 cm, which is coloured with marking paint to make it easier to see.

The rules are simple: 2 teams consisting of 2 to 3 people play against each other. Instead of a hole in the green, as in golf, the target is an existing natural or artificial feature in the terrain. This can be a prominent stone, a tree or even a barn door. The team that hits the specified target with fewer strokes receives a point.

The cula (ball) must always be hit with the mazza (mallet). It may not be thrown by hand. The ball may not be stopped by other players. If there is an odd number of players, the extra player can be chosen as the so-called Rodox. The Rodox bats for both teams. Contrary to the normal rules of the game, the ball hit by the Rodox may be held by other players (e.g. near the target). Scoring takes place at the end. Each player on the winning team receives 20 centimes per point lead from their direct opponent.

The game is played in spring after the snow melts and as soon as the weather and terrain conditions allow until around the end of April, as well as in autumn after grazing until the onset of winter. The route leads from Masein to Flerden. A refreshment break is taken there before returning to Masein via a different route.

The Mazza-Cula players are not organised in a club. Depending on time, desire and mood, they meet on Sunday afternoon at 1.00 pm at the starting point above the village.