Our Tales
Until the late sixties, life was very traditional in many alpine communities. On the summer farms high up in the mountains There was no electricity and no central heating. During cold and rainy days people used to sit around around the fire and to tell ancient folk tales. Many of them reported encountered with the spirits of nature, who were supposed to have lived very close to humans in ancient times.
The dwellings of the Getwergeni (dwarves) and Wildmanndli (little wild men) were in the mountains. They had teached the man to make cheese. The have their own cattle: The chamois who they nurse with care and of whose milk they produced a magical cheese that would never run short. They are kind to humans, help them to make their hey and give food to the poor. Sometimes people thank them by setting out some sweet porridge in winter. They have their own celebrations: At easter, they go to mass, afterwards they can be seen dancing around an big stone. But their can quickly turn to anger: When there places were disturbed by ruthless and unwise men, they cursed the wrongdoers and went away. From that time on, people had to make their hay on their own and got no help from the dwarves. But they are still there – they just don‘t show up anymore.
Many tales are told about the ghostly host of the dead, the Nachdvolch or Graadzug. The ghosts live high up in the mountains in the glaciers and visit the living in autumn and during the Holy Night. All those who died of an unpeaceful death, slain warriors and lost hunters, but also suiciders and hanged transgressors, walk among them. They are both dangerous and benevolent, and though you should not cross their path at night, people worhsipped them and offered them milk, bread and cream. They are closely connected to the masked hordes who rush through the midwinter nights. In the state of holy rage, the young warriors merged with the ghostly host of their slain ancestors.
Many mountains, among the famous Jungfrau, are named afte the white virginal maidens who live in the eternal ice, high upon the glittering snowclad peaks. They are the mistresses of wilderness. Some of them dwell in dark forests, others house in rocks and caves. Sometimes they meet young herdsmen, promise them love, gold and riches and give them advices to succeed in live. But they can also become dangerous – sometimes they crush their mortal lovers. When they show up near villages, landslides and floads will follow. Sometimes, they could be seen riding on top of an avalanche, fiercely laughing and bringing death and devastation upon the community.
There are many other beings in the mountains and forests. Some of them are treemen, others are seen as beautiyful white ladies living in lakes or sources, or naked maidens who ride with the wind an bring hail and storm over the land.