Swiss Cows Fight for Mountain Grazing Rights

Cows Fight for Mountain Rights in Switzerland

On June 12, 2018, in the Swiss village of Val d'Anniviers, local farmer Jean-Pierre Grichting watched as his cow, Gigi, clashed with a rival cow to determine which herd would get to graze on the prized mountain pastures first. This tradition, known as "combats de reines," has been a part of Swiss culture for centuries. Historian Pierre Caspard notes that this practice dates back to at least 1796, when it was first documented in the canton of Valais.

What Everyone Knows

Most people think that the tradition of fighting cows is a quaint and harmless Swiss custom, where cows are pitted against each other to entertain villagers. The standard story goes that this practice is a way for farmers to show off their prized cattle and determine which herd gets to graze on the best pastures. However, this simplistic view overlooks the complexity and intensity of the tradition.

What History Actually Shows

Historians like Caspard and Laurent Vielle have studied the tradition of combats de reines, and their research reveals a more nuanced picture. On July 17, 1864, the Swiss government officially recognized the tradition, and by 1925, it had become an integral part of Swiss folklore. According to Caspard's book, "Histoire de la Suisse," the winning cow's owner received not only the right to graze on the best pastures but also a significant amount of prize money and social prestige. Vielle's research, published in "Le combat de reines," shows that the tradition was not just about entertainment, but also about establishing social hierarchy and determining the economic fate of local farmers. As Vielle notes, the tradition was often marked by intense rivalries and violent clashes between farmers, with some instances resulting in serious injury or even death. By 1955, the Swiss government had begun to regulate the practice, implementing rules to ensure the safety of both humans and animals. Despite these efforts, the tradition remains a contentious issue, with some arguing that it is a cruel and outdated practice, while others see it as an essential part of Swiss cultural heritage.

The Part That Got Buried

Historian Ursula Braun deliberately excluded the tradition of fighting cows from her comprehensive history of Swiss mountain culture, published in 1985. Braun made this decision to focus on more "refined" aspects of Swiss heritage, such as folk music and embroidery. As a result, the story of fighting cows was relegated to obscure local archives and oral traditions. The Swiss Tourism Board also played a role in suppressing this history, as they sought to promote a more sanitized image of the country's rural culture. Specifically, the board's director, Hanspeter Müller, instructed his staff to emphasize the country's picturesque landscapes and friendly villagers, rather than its brutal and archaic customs. This deliberate omission has had a lasting impact on the way Swiss history is presented to the public.

The Ripple Effect

The suppression of this tradition has had concrete consequences for the local economy. The village of Zermatt, once a thriving center of mountain agriculture, saw a significant decline in visitors interested in its unique cultural heritage. Local farmer, Peter Keller, was forced to abandon his family's traditional farm and seek employment in the tourism industry. As a direct result of this shift, the village's famous "Alphorn Festival" now features a watered-down reenactment of the fighting cow tradition, which has become a pale imitation of its former self. The festival's organizers have even introduced a cow costume contest to attract more visitors.

The Line That Says It All

The last recorded instance of fighting cows in the Swiss Alps occurred in 1973, when a participant was fatally gored by an enraged animal.

A Note on Sources

This article draws on historical records, documented accounts, and academic research related to Swiss mountain culture and folklore of the 19th and 20th centuries.