Northern Illinois Coin & Stamp inc.

The descent from the Alpine pastures

 

One of Switzerland's most widespread customs is the descent of cattle from Alpine pastures at summer's end. On this special day, the animals are washed and groomed and in many places are adorned with flowers, young fir trees, ribbons or flags and huge cow bells. Even the Alpine farming families and the herdsmen spruce themselves up. The floral decorations are particularly decorative in Gruyère. In other regions, by contrast, only the cows which have the best milk yield get the chance to be decorated. In Appenzell, apart from bells on the leading cow, the animals are not adorned with any decorations. On the other hand, the herdsmen and the farming families wear the traditional colourful costumes. In certain regions of the Bernese Oberland, the traditional "Chästeilet" (distribution of cheese) takes place before the "Alpabfahrt" (descent from the Alpine pastures). Here the farmers receive their share of the cheese in line with the milk yield from the cows which they sent up to the Alpine pastures.

The descent from the Alpine pastures is often also an occasion for a fair featuring folk music, Alpine horn-blowing, the ringing of cow bells, whip-cracking displays, flag-swinging and much more. Food and drink is available in a marquee and local products such as Alpine cheese, butter, sausages and handcrafts can be bought from stands.

 

 

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