Some may think, Switzerland is very similar than Germany or Austria. But in fact, there are a lot of things that are quite different and each country is worth a visit. Not only the history, language, way of living, stories and legends, landscapes and more.
In the following you'll get to know some of the most interesting, beautiful and entertaining traditions of the Swiss. Some may exist at the borders of Germany and Austria as well, but that does not mean they are less memorable. Because, don't forget, the people themself are already a gem.
Customs all year around.
ALMABTRIEB
An annual event of the alpine regions in Europe. During the summer, after the cows have been brought up the mountains, Almauftrieb, they feed on the grass while grazing on alpine fields, drinking best mountain water and stay there for the next months until autumn.
Late Sepember, early October all the cows of the different herds are coming down as one group while they will be leaded of one cow who is on the very top. All the others are following her down the valley to their barns.
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The cattle drive is celebrated with music, and decorating the cow. Everyone is in a good mood and you see a lot of locals in their traditional costumes and tourists are not far away either. It became so popular that nowadays there is live music, booths next to the roads that sell organic food, agriculture, a lot of other products out of the region and alcoholic beverages to the adults.
WALLISER COWFIGHTS
Just to get the thought out of your mind, no the cows don't fight for their life and will be killer anyway. It is more a tradition held, that would occur in wild life anyway. But only the cow breed, Herens, in particular is known for its feisty temperament.
That means in spring time when the natural instincts kick in, hormones rise and the Herens cows are fighting to establish a new hierarchy. These cows will be classified in weight and age so that no big accidents can happy. A fight is over when one of them wins over the other or turns the tail. Everything is monitored and checked in detail to prevent an emergency.
In the evening the strongest cows of each category is crowned queen. Tut the true highlight of the competition is in Aproz during May where all the queens have to compete so that in the end the queen of the queens can be aired.
YODELLING FESTIVAL
Every three years the festival is held in another city and the climax for all the smaller yodelling festivals that can be found in the entire country.
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It is very popular and advised to book a room or a bed in Hotels/ Hostels a few weeks, even months ahead to make sure to have a place to stay during the competition. Every year it is expected, and numbers are rising, that at least 200.000 visitors such as locals and tourists, like to join the event.
CHESTNUT FESTIVALS
In October there are plenty of chances to join a Castagnatas Festival. It is about celebrating together, eating roasted sweet chestnuts or as honey, jam, cakes, ice cream and much more.
Back then it was in some areas the most staple food. The spiky fruit is good for your digestion, cholesterol levels and stabilize blood sugar levels. They are so versatile that you can do almost everything with them. Too good to be true.
In case you like to try, don't eat them raw. They always have to be cooked or roasted.
SWISS NATIONAL DAY
Is 1st of August and a day that is celebrated a lot. People go on the streets with beautiful paper lanterns parades, bonfires, fireworks and Swiss Flags. Specially nice for children, because they get the day off in school.
The date was inspired by the Federal Charter in 1291. It is named Pacte de Gütli and is an oath, sworn by three Alpine cantons of the confederation.
Places of celebrating independence day are Schaffhausen at the historic Rütli Meadow just above Lake Lucerne and Basel. You get traditional dishes, such as the Augustweggen, a bread roll that is having a cross, like the Swiss Flag in the middle.
ALPHORN
It is not a tradition, but the Alphorn is a way to communicate from mountain to mountain and is widely spread from the Alps to the Carpathians (range of mountains of central and east Europe). These days the stories are still alive, but those horns are only used now as a music instrument and to demonstrate visitors how the communicated back then.
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ST. NICOLAUS DAY
Is usually celebrated on the 6th of December, although it actually begins in end of November until beginning of January, just depending on where you come from you'll meet Samichlaus (in Swiss German), earlier or later.
Specially in catholic areas of Switzerland the children learn Samichlaus verses which they tell Samichlaus when he arrives at their home. Together with his helpers Schmutzli, Butzli and Père Fouettard they give sweets in return.
German folklore St. Nicolaus is having a reindeer as helper who is carrying a slide, just like Santa Clause, only smaller, with some little presents.
The night of the 5th, all the children have to clean their boots and put them outside in front of the main door. Next to it, because you are a kind child, a glass of milk and a slice of bread with butter and sugar on top for the Nicolaus. He has a lot of things to do, therefore, it is nice to give him a small present in return. When the child or children cleaned their boots very well Nicolaus is giving them sweets. Preferable oranges, mandarins, nuts and a bit of chocolate. Sometimes a small wrapped present can be found as well.
In the German version the children are not seeing St. Nicolaus or recite verses to him. He is more of a shy character and enjoys to focus on his work to make the little humans happy.
NEW YEAR
One of the many beliefs in the Swiss traditions is that hiding the face behind a mask, loud fireworks, bells and crackers is going to ward off demons and evil spirits.
This belief can be seen in a lot of different countries and its own history, which is kind of interesting, because that means at some point those stories were told, not only to family and friends but to strangers, travellers as well to warn them of the evil in this world and how to get rid of it.
But those customs differ extremely from region to region in Switzerland. Even the name of New Years changes from Silvesterdreschen to Silvesterklausen. . The same of the rituals that they have. Be it walking from house to house as a parade, accompanied by ringing bells, children process from street to street with their own crafted lanterns, or rhythmic beating of a threshing board, young men with cowbells and some more can be enjoyed, depending on where you will be during that night.
FUNNY TRADITIONS IN WINTER
Peitschenknallen, whip-cracking competition
Traditionally its called Chlauschlöpfen and is a custom held from the beginning of November until the 2nd week of December.
Back then it was believed that through the loud noises of the whip-cracking they are able to wake up the Samichlaus so that he does not miss bringing small presents to the children of all the villages and towns.
In case you like to join the competition or just be a visitor you can check the dates for the following villages where the tradition is still alive.
Ammerswil, Auenstein, Brunegg, Dintikon, Egliswil, Hallwil, Hausen Bei Brugg, Hendschiken, Hunzenschwil, Lenzburg, Mägenwil, Möriken-Wildegg, Niederlenz, Othmarsingen, Rupperswil, Schafisheim, Seengen, Seon, Staufen.
Schlittéda, the sleigh ride for young singles of the Engadin valley
Young women and men are paired together to spend the day with traditional sleigh riding with a horse in front, drinking, eating, dancing and singing. An old tradition of the Engadin valley and a very popular one that can be still celebrated till this day. And what else can you do in January? Not that much, so get your horse, wooden sleigh and let's go!
L'Hom Strom Festival, setting alight a straw dummy in Scuol
First Saturday in February, the youth's of Scuol is walking from one farm to the other to collect straw for their big man-like straw dummy.
In the evening of the L'Hom Strom Festival they must have finished the effigy and set it on fire. There will be music, dancing, food and drinks. Usually there are traditional songs that will be sang by the ones who come from Scuol to drive away the winter and all its negativity so that the nature can thrive once again.
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It reminds a little at a Pagan ritual, which may be the truth, since Pagans always have been deeply connected with the spirits of nature. Even though there are people that would always push away those rumours, there is no denial of these traditions which are just too connected with the past and are often much older than Christianity itself.
Everything no matter what it is goes hand in hand, and we should learn from each other's history.
Lichterschwemmen Festival, floating lights in Ermensee lake.
Every 6th of March they celebrate the missionary Fridolin with a beautiful festival, of children building wooden boat like objects with a lot of candles on top to let them swim on the river.
After the floating lights moved the stream downwards they'll be caught by the children to walk back to the beginning, just to continue letting them into the water again.
Back, when St. Fridolin was wandering around to tell people about the story of Jesus and how to live the life in the meaning of Christianity. He walked up the Ermensee and legend tells that he was greeted by children who then began to celebrate the welcoming of missionary Fridolin. Until that time they continued the tradition and can be still enjoyed every single year.
Schiibaschlaha, throwing red-hot wooden discs into the valley
Every first Sunday of the lent, boys and young men from Untervaz, meet on top of a hill with a torch, a hazel-branch and a wooden disc made out of beechwood that have been crafted during New Years, dried and connected with a string, just to get ready for Schiibaschlaha.
After they arrived they put the wooden disc on top of a stick into the open fire so that it begins to glow and throw it down the valley with a specific verse about a woman they admire.
Höut un dära sei si, dia Schiiba, dia Schiiba ghört dr Anna (any kind of name)
It sort of means that the disc they throw belongs to the girl they like.
Down in the village everyone else is waiting for the young men to return and are already celebrating with music and a traditional song which is about the wooden disc.
After the last disc was thrown, they walk down with the torches to be greeted by the villagers and of course the admired girls. Those meet and will be welcomed with a sweet desert, Fasnachtschüechli, that almost looks like a pancake and for sure it tastes as good as those, maybe even better, because they are made for a really nice tradition.
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Sina
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