Swiss customs: A guide to unique traditions

Most of Switzerland's customs are based on the traditions of Central Europe and its indigenous peoples, which influence many aspects of life in the country. They range from herding to festivals, from gastronomy to behavioural habits and music. Despite its small size, Switzerland has a large number of customs that are embedded in the way of life of its inhabitants and are sure to surprise you. Many of them are common to the whole of Europe, such as the celebration of Christmas, while others are truly indigenous and rooted in the country's past. Without further ado, let's take a look at some of Switzerland's most unusual customs.

Languages of Switzerland

Due to its geographical location, Switzerland is at the crossroads of several European cultures. The country has three official languages and one partially recognised language that reflect the origins of its people. The main language is Swiss German, spoken by almost 64% of the population. It is very important in the northern, eastern and central cantons of Switzerland. It is the language of most radio and television stations.

It is followed by French, which is spoken by almost 39% of the population and is the most widely spoken language in the west of the country. In addition, dialects of Franco-Provençal languages such as Vaudois and Neschatel are still spoken in Romandy. The third language of Switzerland is Italian, spoken by 15% of the population and predominant in the south of the country. The Rhaeto-Romanic language deserves a special mention. It is also an official language, although it is not necessarily used in state documents. It is spoken in the canton of Graubünden, and the total number of people who use it is 0.6% of the population.

The peculiar music of the Swiss

Needless to say, Switzerland plays the same music as Spain, France or the United States, but like those countries, it has its own traditional music and you will find it very interesting. The country's main instrument is the alpine horn. Made of wood, ranging from 1.5 to 3.60 metres long, it has a straight shape with a rounded end and produces harmonic sounds similar to those of a trumpet. As early as the 16th century, the alpine horn was used to call cattle in the Alps and to communicate between farmers. The instrument is also used to play traditional Alpine songs and, interestingly, bears similarities to other instruments from the Pyrenees, the Carpathian Mountains and even the Andes in South America.

The Swiss also have a traditional Tyrolean song. It is characterised by sudden changes in pitch, from low to high in the form of a falsetto. The song belongs to Alpine culture in general and is therefore sung in Austria, Northern Italy and even Germany. Curiously enough, similar songs even exist in Scandinavia and Central Africa.

Festivals and holidays

One of the most important holidays in Switzerland is celebrated on 1 August. It is dedicated to the so-called Federal Pact of 1291, in which the three existing cantons agreed to create the conditions for unification into a single country. Festivities take place all over the country, and a special feature of the holiday is that any private person is allowed to set off fireworks.

Another very important holiday in Switzerland is the cattle drive, which takes place at the beginning of summer and the beginning of autumn. On the first day shepherds take their cows to the Alpine mountains for free grazing, and on the second day they return them to their stalls. In both seasons, they decorate the cows with flowers and bells and lead them in a procession. Other popular local festivals in Switzerland include the goose beheading in Surs, the carnival in Basel or the wine festival in Vevey, which has been included in UNESCO's list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Swiss handicrafts

Besides the famous pocket knives, Switzerland has an interesting craft industry of embroidery. Dating back to the 17th century, St Gallen embroidery is famous for its embroidery on cotton and linen. The same can be said for bobbin lace in Neuenburg and the silk industry in Zurich, which begins in the fourteenth century. Traditional wood carving in Brienz, the fruit of which is the Swiss Museum of Carving and Sculpture, is another tradition, as is the peasant pottery of Bern, which originated in the 18th century and is known throughout the world.

What makes Swiss craft stand out, too, are the clocks and watch movements, which have become one of the country's national industries. The craft was brought to the city of Geneva by the Huguenots who took refuge there in the 16th century. Watchmaking soon spread to other areas, such as Neuenburg, where marvels such as the Taschenuhren pocket watch and the pendulum clock were created. Since then, the Swiss have positioned themselves as the makers of these high-end products. The Swiss have had successes such as creating the first underwater watch and the first quartz watch. The prestige of the Swiss as watchmakers is so high that their craftsmanship has been proposed for inclusion in the list of Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

Swiss gastronomy

We all know how Swiss chocolate is famous all over the world. However, did you know that this product was imported from America in the 16th century? Be that as it may, Swiss chocolate soon became world famous thanks to recipes such as the Alpine milk mixture created by Daniel Peter or the fudge chocolate created by Rudolf Lindt. Another quintessential Swiss product is cheese. There are so many varieties that you could travel all over the country sampling them, as there are around 450 types. The superb milk from Alpine dairy farms is partly to blame for this.

Among the country's most popular cheeses are Gruyere, flavoured Appenzeller and fresh Sbrinz. They are the source of one of the typical Swiss specialities - fondue, which is nothing but melted cheese eaten by dipping slices of bread in it and holding them with a special fork. It is served in a ceramic pot called caquelon. A variation of this dish is raclette, in which, in addition to melted cheese, raw boiled potatoes, onions, cucumbers, vinegar and mustard are added.

Conclusion

Exploring Swiss traditions is a fascinating journey into the country's rich culture and history. Whether you are visiting for the first time or returning again, each encounter with Swiss customs offers new experiences and deepens your understanding of this fascinating country.