07 Jul. 2017 · Culture

Stefan Heim

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Looking Back on the Haizuug

Agriculture used to be the mainstay of existence for the Walser people and in fact the whole of the Kleinwalsertal region. Cattle and dairy farming played a crucial role as it is not possible to grow cereal crops in the valley.

A Constant Supply of Animal Feed

Agriculture used to be the mainstay of existence for the Walser people and in fact the whole of the Kleinwalsertal region. Cattle and dairy farming played a crucial role as it is not possible to grow cereal crops in the valley. Agricultural work was governed by a specific annual cycle. The cattle would be put out to graze during the spring when the supplies of hay had become depleted. As soon as it was possible, the cattle was moved to the Vorsässe or the lower alps. From here they were moved to the central alps during the summer and then to the highest part of the alps. This sequence is then reversed during the autumn as the cattle are moved back down into the valley. By October, when it was no longer possible to graze the cattle or if the snow had arrived, they would then be brought into the various types of barns and fed on hay during the winter months.

Plant Power for the Winter

It was extremely important to be able to harvest a good and plentiful supply of hay to see the cattle through the long winters. The hay meadows in the valley were the first to be harvested. The meadows on the mountainsides were then harvested in August or September. The vegetation was difficult and dangerous for the cattle to reach as it mainly grew on steep slopes, however, it produced short and dry hay which was extremely nutritious as it primarily consisted of herbs.

Perilous Sleigh Rides into the Valley

Harvesting the hay was extremely exhausting and at times dangerous work. Remains can be still seen today high up in the mountains of small huts and barns which were often simply built beneath the rocks to act as makeshift shelters against the weather. The hay was often stored here for a few weeks at a time. The hay reapers would usually take a few goats with them to provide milk. Armed with their scythes and other mowing implements, they would often have to wear crampons or what are called Griffschuhe (gripping shoes) which enabled them to accomplish their work on this steep terrain. The hay was taken to the barns or a Trischta (a local word for haystack) was built. It remained here until the winter when the Haizuug (literally = moving the hay) starts all over again. The hay was tied up in tight Buurdena (bundles). Several of them would be hung up together, loaded onto a sleigh and then transported along what were often dangerous sledding trails to the barns next to the farmhouses.

Buurdenaseil

Buurdenaseil used to tie the hay together, rope with four wooden parts (Bschlääg), which hang loosely on the rope and Trüüa which are tied securely to the rope. The rope is laid in a criss-cross way across the Zuug (see illustration).
Materials: hemp, wood

"Faßräächa"

A tool (hay rake) used to gather up the hay in buurdena (bundles) and to deposit the buurda elsewhere. A rake with 13 prongs made from ash wood with a handle made from beech wood with bracing wire.

Haibaschuah

Hay boots that were worn when hay was harvested on steep slopes and in Bergmähdern (mountain meadows). Ankle-high leather boots with 12 eyelets made from iron.

Stefan Heim is the Director of Walser Museum and chronicler of life in the municipality of Mittelberg. Along with other interested parties, he is currently coordinating and developing a new concept for the Walser Museum.
To find out more about the changes that are being made to the museum, please refer here to the article BAUSTELLE: MUSEUM and to the MUSEUM: GUCKLOCH (looking through the peephole).

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