Almabtrieb - Austria-Forum : AEIOU : english
Almabtrieb
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Almabtrieb (driving cattle down from the Alpine pastures), conclusion
of the Alpine pasture grazing season and beginning of winter season
(animals kept in sheds), usually between Michaelmas (September 29) and
mid-October. The cattle are decorated with branches, ribbons, sequins
and mirrors (a custom called "Aufkranzen") and large bells are hung
from their necks; in the case of a death in the family or a deadly
accident on the pastures, a black ribbon is added to the wreath
(called "Klagbuesche"). In some places, this tradition is followed by
music and food and drink (e.g. in the towns of Egg and Hohenems in
Vorarlberg), a livestock market (in Schwarzenberg, Vorarlberg) and
dance events ("Huetertanz" (herdsman's dance), Dienten in the province
of Salzburg). This tradition has become less and less popular as the
ceremonial conclusion of the season on the Alpine pasture, especially
as agriculture has become more and more mechanised and streamlined;
the custom is still practiced as a spectacle and tourist attraction in
various places.
Further reading: R. Wolfram, Almbrauchtum, in: Oesterr.
Volkskundeatlas, 6th edition, 1979.
This contribution was taken from an Austrian Encyclopaedia
"Österreich Lexikon" © 1995 by
Verlagsgemeinschaft Österreich-Lexikon.
Pictures and links (if applicable) have been removed. To view
them click the link above to get to the Austrian version.
That version is also updated more frequently.
