Swiss spirit chasers
A procession through the snow
Photo: Momentfaenger (flickr)
Many countries traditionally “ring in” the New Year with church bells tolling at the stroke of midnight on 31 December. But in parts of Switzerland, the custom takes a different form, where groups of men use cowbells to scare off the ghosts of the year that has just past.
Known as “Chlaeuse” or "Silvesterkläuse", groups of men in the mountain canton of Appenzell walk around the alpine villages on 31 December in elaborate costume, yodelling to ward off evil spirits.
But, in order to observe this centuries-old tradition, the men have to be able to carry more than a tune. As they trudge around all day in the cold they have to cart around either thirteen smaller round bells or two massive cowbells, weighing up 30 or 40 kilos, strapped to their fronts and backs.
If that was not enough, some of the intricate costumes include headdresses so heavy that they have been known to cause injuries to their wearers. The compensation is that after each stop the grateful householder rewards the Chlaeuse with a glass of mulled wine or cider.
This is all part of a tradition dating back to medieval times. In Appenzell and other cantons of eastern Switzerland there is an old folk tradition that one New Year Eve the spirits of darkness walk the Earth. The demons must be frightened away with lashing whips and ringing bells, otherwise they will bring misery and misfortune. The noise and the costumes of the Chlaeuse are intended to frighten these evil spirits away and welcome in a happy, prosperous New Year.
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