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Carnival celebrations have swung into full force in Germany.
Thursday in Bonn and Cologne more than 10,000 women turned out to participate in the annual Weiberfastnacht -- sometimes translated as "Castration Thursday" {} -- when women prowl the streets of the two cities, snipping off the neckties of any man who happens past.
DDP

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A costumed woman holds giant scissors in the western German town of Dusseldorf 31 January 2008, during the launch of the carnival season, with the so-called women's carnival (Weiberfastnacht). Thousands of women snipped off the ties of men in Germany's Rhine region to mark the traditional start of a week of beer-soaked carnival festivities. Carnival is a tradition stemming from Catholic regions in the west and south of Germany, but it has increasingly been adopted by cities in the north and east.
AFP

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Combo of pictures taken 31 January 2008 in Mainz, western Germany, shows costumed women wearing colorful dresses as they celebrate the launch of the carnival season with the so-called women's carnival (Weiberfastnacht). Thousands of women snipped off the ties of men in Germany's Rhine region to mark the traditional start of a week of beer-soaked carnival festivities. Carnival is a tradition stemming from Catholic regions in the west and south of Germany, but it has increasingly been adopted by cities in the north and east.
AFP

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Women dressed as devils dance and celebrate "Weiberfastnacht" (Women's Carnival) in Cologne January 31, 2008. Women's Carnival marks the start of a week of street festivals that reach a high point with mass processions on Rose Monday.
Reuters

Weiberfastnacht (Women's Carnival) "This special day is celebrated throughout Germany in February or March, depending on the moveable feast of Easter. In ancient times this was a chance for the ordinary people to playfully rebel against social and clerical rules. The exact origin of Weiberfastnacht is unclear. In some parts of Germany, people believe it is connected to smugglers who disguised themselves as women. Today on Weiberfastnacht, women have freedom to do whatever they want. They generally play hoaxes on men, for example, by cutting off their ties or shoelaces. So on that day men wear their oldest ties."

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Revellers of the Unidos da Vila Maria samba school parade during a theme in homage to the Japanese community living in Brazil and in celebration of its centenary (1908-2008) at the Anhembi Sambadrome, part of carnival celebrations in Sao Paulo, Brazil, early 02 February 2008. Carnival is the biggest and most popular celebration in Brazil and runs throughout the country until 05 February.

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Revelers celebrate at the Cordao da Bola Preta street carnival club parade in downtown Rio de Janeiro, Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008. Dozens of samba bands have taken to the streets to celebrate the beginning of the carnival.
(AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)

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Dancers perform during the parade of Tom Maior samba school in Sao Paulo, Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)

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Dancers dressed as Japanese perform during the parade of Unidos de Vila Maria samba school in Sao Paulo, Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008. Vila Maria samba school made a tribute to the centennial of the Japanese immigration to Brazil. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)

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A member of "La Diablada" group performs during a carnival parade in Oruro, some 210 km (130 miles) from La Paz, February 2, 2008.
Reuters

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Members of "Morenada" group perform during a carnival parade in Oruro some 210 km (130 miles) of La Paz, February 2, 2008.
Reuters

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A member of "La Diablada" group performs during a carnival parade in Oruro some 210 km (130 miles) of La Paz February 2, 2008.
Reuters