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Customs & Tradition

In Obwalden, a large number of Swiss traditions and customs are actively practiced and duly celebrated. Many of these events characterize the course of the year. The start is marked by the colorful and exuberant carnival celebrations, autumn brings the centuries-old Älplerchilbi and the impressive Alpine processions, before the St. Nicholas processions and pretty Christmas markets bring the year to a close around 6 December.

Like every region in Switzerland, the people of Obwalden cultivate their customs and traditions. These are not only their own traditions, but also customs that exist in a similar form elsewhere. Customs are also the daily habits and small practices that have given everyday life a face and still do today.

Beastly beautiful

Alpine descents

From far away in the village you can hear the bells of the approaching cattle harvest. After four months of grazing in the mountains, the herdsman returns to the valley with his cows. The Alpine descent is a colorful piece of living tradition and genuine custom.

28.09.2024 - Great alpine descent Kerns

The Alpabfahrt is probably the biggest and most emotional event in the municipality of Kerns. The parade of animals, accompanied by farmers and alpine herdsmen, small and large family members, is framed by performances from alphorn players and yodelers. A variety of delicacies from local cuisine are offered at attractive market stalls.

Alp descent Giswil

The alpine descent from Fluonalp to Giswil is somewhat smaller, but offers a beautiful view of Lake Sarnen. The descent usually takes place in the second half of September and is only carried out in dry weather.

Date: Not yet known

Harvest festival

Älplerchilbi

The Älplerchilbi is a centuries-old alpine festival at which the farmers come together after a rich alpine summer to thank God for the gifts they have received and to enjoy themselves afterwards with food, music and dancing.

The savages

Typical of the Älplerchilbi are the two savages, Hude and Läsi, who are called Christä and Triini in Lungern. They are reminiscent of ancient times, when remnants of the pagan indigenous population still lived in the mountains. They helped the new immigrant farmers on the Alps and were invited to the Chilbi in return.

The savages frolic around the village with the children and recite their rhyming sayings in the afternoon on the schoolyard square, blabbing the sins and stupidities of the villagers in a coded form. The alpine farmers and their companions in traditional costumes and the invited guests form a colorful ring behind which the people line up. The sayings are therefore public.

Älplerchilbi dates 2024

Melchtal

Saturday, October 12, 2024, 2.15 p.m. Proverbs

Jodlermess: 9.15 a.m.
Sayings: 2.15 p.m. & 11.00 p.m.

Saturday, October 19, 2024
2:00 p.m. Proverbs, village square

Friday, October 18, 2024
Proverbs public 2 p.m., school grounds

Saturday, October 26, 2024
Proverbs public 2 p.m., school grounds

Friday, October 25, 2024
10.30 a.m. Yodeling Mass
2.00 p.m. Proverbs

Friday, October 25, 2024
2 p.m., multi-purpose building

Saturday, October 26, 2024
2 p.m. Proverbs, Hotel Bahnhof

Saturday, November 9, 2024
Proverbs 2 p.m., Schulhausplatz

Saturday, November 9, 2024
Proverbs public 2 p.m., Schulhausplatz

Saturday, November 9, 2024
7.00 a.m. Breakfast in the Wilen gym

Saturday, November 16, 2024
Proverbs 2 p.m., by the chapel

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St. Nicholas processions

December 6 is St. Nicholas Day or "Samiglais" in Obwalden. For many children and families, the Samiglais visit is a milestone in the Advent season in preparation for Christmas.

The Samiglais wears a red coat with a hood and a long white beard. The dark-clad "Schmutzli" always accompanies the Samiglais. The two come to the children's homes on the evening of December 6th, visit schools and kindergartens and carry a sack full of nuts, mandarins, gingerbread and other treats. The children practise special Samiglais sayings for this day, which they then recite and are rewarded with treats. The Schmutzli also carries a rod to punish the naughty children, but this is hardly ever used.

Relocation dates 2024

Flüeli-Ranft

Friday, November 22, 2024
Route: Multipurpose hall - Flüeliplatz - Multipurpose hall

Saturday, November 23, 2024 at 8 p.m.
Route: school building - village square - church - school building

Friday, November 29, 2024 at 7.30 p.m.
Route: Restaurant Träumli - school building

Saturday, November 30, 2024 at 7 p.m.
Route: Schulhausstrasse- Dörfli - former town hall

Friday, November 29, 2024 at 7 p.m.
Route: Bahnhofplatz - Pilatusstrasse - Dorfplatz - Dorfstrasse

Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at 7.30 p.m.
Route: School building - Hotel Krone - Lindenstrasse - train station - village square

Saturday, November 9, 2024 at 5:40 p.m. (St. Martin's procession)
Route: old Krichturm - parish church

Sunday, December 8, 2024 at 1.30 p.m. (St. Nicholas procession)
Route: Alter Krichturm - parish church

From Friday, December 6 to Sunday, December 8, groups will also be out and about in the village visiting households in the evenings.

Friday, December 6, 2024 at 7.30 p.m.
Route: Sawmill - Widderhuis

Christmas markets

Visit the Christmas markets in Obwalden. Originally, the Christmas markets served to give people the opportunity to stock up on winter necessities at the beginning of the cold season. Over time, the markets became an integral part of Christmas customs.

Data:

  • Pilatus Friday, November 15 - 17, 2024
  • Lungern Saturday, November 23, 2024
  • Sarnen Wednesday, November 27, 2024
  • Sachseln Saturday, December 7, 2024
  • Kerns* Wednesday, December 4, 2024

* Livestock and goods market