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 AlpsollOn 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?
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.
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.
Appenzell region ox cart
Swiss mushroom friends captured husband Pieter interacting with Appenzell goats...
Stay tuned for more about this beautiful Eastern part of Switzerland...
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