!!!Walser

Walser, Alemannic tribe which came from the Upper Valais (Switzerland) 
to the Upper Rhine valley via the passes of Furka and Oberalp. From 
the Rhine valley, they settled valleys in Vorarlberg and the Tyrol. 
Vorarlberg (13th century): Laternsertal, Damuels (first documented 
enfeoffment in 1313), Grosses Walsertal, Tannberg, Kleines Walsertal; 
14th century: Duenserberg, Schnifisberg, Ludescherberg, Buerserberg, 
Brand, Ebnit, Silbertal, Montafon, mountains and slopes in the Rhine 
Valley and the Walgau; in the Tyrol, they settled in the Lech valley, 
Paznaun, Sellrain and in the Vintschgau.

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The W., who settled approx. one quarter of Vorarlberg and contributed 
considerably to the Germanization of Vorarlberg (esp. the Montafon 
area), were farmers and cattle breeders, thus making large areas 
accessible for farming. They were given their land as hereditary 
fiefs, had their own court system, did not have to do statute labour, 
but voluntarily committed themselves to military service. In their 
isolated valleys and scattered villages, the W. have been able to 
maintain their language and customs up to this day. Typical elements 
of their wooden houses are the door on the side of the eaves and the 
extremely small windows. The traditional costume of the women is one 
of the oldest in German-speaking countries (long pinafore dress with 
embroidered bodice, worn over a white linen shirt with puff sleeves). 
The W. Museum is at Riezlern (Mittelberg, Vorarlberg).

!Literature
K. Ilg, Die Walser in Vorarlberg, 2 vols., 1949/56; 
H. Kreis, Die Walser, 1958.


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