Figure 1.-- The Alpabfahrt is an annual event in the mountain regions of Switzerland, Austria and Germany. During summer cows feed on alpine pastures high up in the mountains. In autumn there is a concerted cow train to bring the cows to their stables down in the valley. This is the Alpabfahrt. Usually this takes place in September. Often the cow train is celebrated with music and dance and the people wear traditional costumes.

A HBC reader provides us informatiom on the Alpabfahrt, "The Alpabfahrt is an annual event in the mountain regions of Switzerland, Austria and Germany. During summer cows feed on alpine pastures high up in the mountains. In autumn there is a concerted cow train to bring the cows to their stables down in the valley. This is the Alpabfahrt. Usually this takes place in September. Often the cow train is celebrated with music and dance and the people wear traditional costumes. In several villages nowadays the Alpabfahrt became a tourist attraction. The photo was taken in Appenzell mountains, Switzerland. A family group is rady to start the Alpabfahrt. They are wearing their folk costumes. We can note the leather caps worn by the younger boys and the hat worn by the older brother. We can note also the different choices about footwear. The adults and the older girls wear boots. The boys, except the toddler, wear traditional style shoes. The younger girl, instead, chose to walk barefoot. We know that in Switzerland is common that children go barefoot, but we must think that they have to walk for several kms through mountain streets. Not only the girl chose to walk shoeless, but even the parents had no objection about it."

Navigate the Boys' Historical Clothing Web Site:
[Introduction] [Biographies] [Biographies] [Chronology] [Clothing styles] [Countries]
[Bibliographies] [Contributions] [FAQs] [Glossaries [Images] [Links] [Registration] [Tools]
[Boys' Clothing Home]

Created: 9:37 PM 8/21/2017
Last updated: 9:37 PM 8/21/2017