Alpfahrt and Alpabfahrt

Even today, the journey to and from the alpine pastures remains a red-letter day in farming life. The long trek up the mountain begins in the small hours, maybe around three a.m.

From far away you can hear the sonorous harmony of the three large cowbells, the plaintive yodelling of the herdsmen, the deep lowing of the cattle, the snapping and yapping of the Appenzell cattle-dog, known in dialect as Bläss. At first they are only silhouettes, and then, as dawn breaks, the magnificent choreography underlying every journey to and from the alpine pastures becomes ever more distinct: a little boy in herdsman's costume leads a herd of white, hornless Appenzell goats driven by a little girl wearing the everyday Appenzell dirndl dress. Then comes the herdsman, every inch a king, proudly dressed in his traditional outfit with all its accoutrements. Over his left shoulder he carries a wooden milking pail, the base of which (the Bödeli) is decorated with a small, round hand-painted picture. He is followed by three fine cows wearing the great heavy bells called Senntumschellen, on artistically decorated leather straps. Four more men in costume march ahead of the rest of the herd, and finally, bringing up the rear of the procession, come the horse-drawn carts carrying the equipment needed for summer in the mountains and the pigs.

Place:

Anywhere with access to alpine pastures.

Time:

Ascent: from end of May to beginning of June.
Descent: from mid August to end of September.

Duration:

Ascent: from early morning until noon.
Descent: from late morning until afternoon.

Participants:

Farmers with their families and helpers.