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Almabtrieb Freiburger Alpe - Anna schmückt ein Schild mit dem Namen der Alpe, der Max unterstützt seine Mama
2024-09-19
- Classification
- Photograph
- Museum
- Wikimedia Commons
- Rights
- CC BY-SA 4.0, as the museum states it.
- Who can see it
- Tweens profiles and older: its subjects are known and suit older children. How works are placed
About this work
In the Alpine region of Bavaria, Germany, the Almabtrieb (cattle drive) or Viehscheid (in the Allgäu) refers to the process of driving cattle from mountain pastures (alps) down to the valley below. There, the animals are separated according to their owners and returned to the farm stables for the winter. Depending on the regional climate, the Almabtrieb takes place between mid-September and mid-October and is often accompanied by ceremonial customs.
If an alpine pasture has survived the summer without any accidents involving animals or people, the herd is allowed to wear a headdress. The headdress, called a wreath, is elaborately crafted from twigs and flowers and is one of the highlights of the Almabtrieb (cattle drive). The most beautiful and strongest cattle are selected for the wreathed cattle and led in front of the herd.
If an alpine pasture experiences accidents during the mountain summer, the cattle leading the way carries a wooden plaque with the name of the pasture burned into it. This plaque is also decorated with flowers. Shortly before the end of summer 2024, the Allgäu experienced a severe winter storm. The Freiburg Alpe in the Lochbach Valley, managed by Anna…
