Alpaufzug or Ascent as summer approaches in either May or June. Descent is in August or September.
Catholic parish Church of St. Martin, Schwende – Canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden, AI Switzerland.
Around Mount Säntis, the traditional cattle drives up to and down from the alpine pastures, follow a defined choreography.
The procession is led by Appenzell goats along with boys in traditional herdsman's garb and girls in traditional dress.
The boy wears a black cap...
These are followed by a herdsman in full traditional dress complete with yellow breeches and yoke on his shoulder.
Next in line are three cows wearing large dairy bells, three cattle drivers in traditional Sunday clothes with brown trousers, and another herdsman, also in full traditional dress.
They are followed by the herds of cows and the owners of the animals, usually accompanied by the Appenzell cattle dog, known as the 'Bläss'.
A cart laden with wooden crockery brings up the rear.
The heavy bells worn by the lead cows are a particular feature of the procession.
They ring harmony with each other and provide a drone accompaniment to the slow wordless yodelling ('Zauren') which is an integral part of the event.
As soon as the path gets steep, the herdsmen take the large bells from the cows and carry them...
That's why the herdsman in full traditional dress complete with yellow breeches (sorry for the color of our 1963 slides...) and a milking pail on his shoulder – in above photo, he's hung the big bells already on the yoke!
Notice that the person with the yoke, also wears an earring in his right ear only?
For actually 'hearing' this bell ringing, click here for 0:35 video: Alpaufzug Alpsoll
On their hats they wear fresh Alpine Edelweiss flowers...
Edelweiss are also hand embroidered on their vests.
Did they all stuff their handkerchiefs inside the handknitted socks?
Socks seem to be belted and kind of rolled over.
Notice the kerchief they folded into a triangle and wear over their breeches?
And the decorative hand hammered clasp on shoes?
Appenzeller kerchief folded into a triangle over yellow leather breeches
Ornate Traditional Appenzeller Jewelry, notice the clasp on shoes...?
Yellow leather breeches
Fresh Alpine Edelweiss with other Alpine flowers like the blue gentiaan on this hat and also silk hand embroidered onto the vest.
Husband Pieter captured all the special details in his photos, such as the wearing of a kerchief over his hips, folded into a triangle.
Cows being lined up...
Appenzell trapezoidal-shaped Hammered Dulcimer.
Notice the 'Ohreshuefle' earring in right ear? The 'Schuefle' (ladle) is a typical tool used by the herdsmen to skim off cream and to make cheese. The earring on which the 'Schuefle' hangs consists of a snake that bites its tail. It symbolizes the eternal course of life, death and resurrection.
The Hammered Dulcimer is thought to have originated around 1000 years ago in the Persian empire. It spread both east and west.
Click here for a short 2:24 YouTube video: Jungstriichmusig Alder mit Nicolas Senn – Die Pfiifestier
Also here 3:27: Appenzeller Chääsfescht – Trio Fässler-Kölbener
Or a very fast paced 0:54 video: Hammer dulcimer performance in Appenzell
Yodeling and Talerschwingen in Appenzell.
An unusual tradition popular in eastern Switzerland that involves several singers. First, each Talerschwinger places a Swiss 5-franc coin inside an earthenware bowl. While holding the bowl in his left hand, each singer swirls it around as he tries to keep the coin rolling evenly. Soon, the coin creates a gently ringing sound while the singers yodel together in harmony.
Watch the 0:31 video to see Enzian, a local group of Talerschwingers, perform their music: Yodeling and Talerschwingen in Appenzell
Appenzell region ox cart
Swiss mushroom friends captured husband Pieter interacting with Appenzell goats...
Learn more about the Swiss Cantons Appenzell Innenrhoden and Swiss Cantons Appenzell Aussenrhoden
Stay tuned for more about this beautiful Eastern part of Switzerland...
Previous posts:
Pieter Co-Speaker at ISMS in Amsterdam-Wageningen 1965 | mention of Jörg Kuhn and special friendship
Hello Mariette, I need one of those snake/milk ladle earrings, although I would not have the nerve to actually wear it, however my sister would. Unfortunately, I could not listen to/watch those videos, as they are on Pinterest, to which I do not subscribe.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I was just listening to the keyboard music of a favorite of mine, Jan Sweelinck, the early Dutch composer. While I was listening, I looked up his details on Wikipedia, and they mentioned that he worked mostly in the Oude Kerk in Amsterdam. Clicking over to that, it is a most fascinating ancient building, which I would love to explore if I am ever in the vicinity.
--Jim
Dearest Jim,
DeleteKnowing that you have a fondness for snakes in antique Chinese objects, this would be something indeed.
You sure can watch those videos on YouTube without being subscribed to Pinterest. Pieter is not and he can click right through to YouTube!
But I'll mail the links to you.
Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck was indeed a Dutch composer and a visit to the Oude Kerk in Amsterdam would be great and I'd love to join you as I've never visited it...
Hugs,
Mariette
Loved seeing these folks dressed in traditional Swiss garb, Mariette, and learning more about the old traditions. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteDearest Martha Jane,
DeleteThank you and it sure is interesting. This is not traditional Swiss garb but uniquely Appenzell tradition!
Hugs,
Mariette
Oh, how interesting post!!
ReplyDeleteDearest Anne,
DeleteGuess the Appenzell area is unknown to most... But it is a very special region and so rich in tradition and also famous for its Appenzell cheese.
Hugs,
Mariette
Unas imágenes muy bucólicas y con unos trajes, de gran tradición ahí. Soy muy amiga de conservar esas tradiciones antiguas, porque ellas encierran el alma de los distintos pueblos.
ReplyDeleteBesos
Querida Antónia,
DeleteExactamente, esa es la encarnación del alma del pueblo. Su cultura y tradición que han sido transmitidas durante siglos. Que en sí mismo es una belleza y la preservación es una necesidad.
Abrazos,
Mariette
I enjoy seeing and reading about the many traditional occasions in Europe Mariette, we don't have them here in Australia, although I have heard the Blessing of the Fleet in Fremantle each year is good to see, will definitely try and catch that this year.
ReplyDeleteDearest Grace,
DeleteThe Old World does have several traditional occasions and they ought to be preserved.
For Freemantle it has been postponed to October but sure hope you can catch this great Catholic event. We have each Palm Sunday a great Catholic Blessing of The Fleet in St. Augustine, America's Oldest City.
Hugs,
Mariette
Very colourful costumes. Great memories you have there, Mariette. Happy days.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Dearest Victor,
DeleteThose certainly are great memories for Pieter; wish I'd been there too!
Hugs,
Mariette
Beautiful area in Switzerland. Beautiful traditional costumes from the area.
ReplyDeleteDearest Sami,
DeleteAppenzell is very special and a lot of people, not speaking German, have no idea about it.
Hugs,
Mariette
Takes me back in my own ways to having been in varying parts of Switzerland. That picture of the peak with the cloud circling...the one with the Oxcart... is a stunner!
ReplyDeleteDearest Katie Isabella,
DeleteThank you and guess fond memories for you come back with this. Pieter had such a keen eye for 'seeing' things; an excellent photographer!
Hugs,
Mariette
I can't think where I saw the Swiss cows you told me of. I saw them and I don't think at the time I had the occasion to comment. For some reason I can't on the phone so I wait until I am home on the iMac. Someone had to tell me what type of cattle they were as here, I had never seen one nor a picture. Seeing them in the fields as we drove through was a pleasure. They are so pretty.
ReplyDeleteDearest Katie Isabella,
DeleteThis is the only post about Switzerland with cows in it, so I guess that would trigger your memory.
Cattle over there are not as heavy, due to the steep incline on the Alpine meadows, so they are looking more elegant, more like the natural chamois and ibex that manage to climb those rocks and mountains.
Hugs,
Mariette