SWISS GO TO COWFIGHTS

Evening Star, Issue 23355, 26 August 1939, Page 9

SWISS GO TO COWFIGHTS

WHEN CHAMPIONS OF THE HERD MEET AN ANCIENT CUSTOM Late in June or early in July, when the eun has chased the last laggard snow patches from the upper valleys of the Alps, the peasants of the canton of Valais move their cattle to the high pastures (writes Warren Irvin from Switzerland to the ‘ New York Times’). There, far up the mountainsides bright with myriad wild flowers, scores of matronly Swiss cows will meet in the combats to decide which shall have the honour of leading their respective herds during the ensuing year. The cows that take part in these combats are of a special breed, known as Kerens. Tradition says that they came originally from Egypt, and were first brought to the district by Roman legionnaires in the time of the Caesars. However that may be, the cow fights have long been a peculiar feature of the pastoral life of the Valais; and to-day, as for ages past, they attract visitors from all parts of the countryside. From the rocky summits of the Alps they come and from the glens and valleys; from towns, villages, hamlets; from farms and vineyardspeasants, dressed in picturesque Valaisiau costumes or wearing smocks and sabots; tourists from the Alpine hotels; priests, housewives, shopkeepers, farmers; young girls, old men, and noisy, romping children. THE FIELD OF BATTLE, A jovous tumult fills the pastures. The cows, as though conscious of their importance, mingle complacently with the crowd or snort, frisk, and add their vociferous moodngs to the glad cries of children and shouts of the grown folk. Prom time to time the craggy heights echo with laughter as an embarrassed cowhand, or blushing milkmaid, dashes in pursuit of a recalcitrant beast, pleading, threatening, or cajoling her to return to the field of battle. In certain sections of the canton it is customary to truncate the horns of the contestants as tho hour of combat approaches, so as to avoid serious injuries. Where this is done a hollow metal tube is used to measure the horns, and all are cut to exactly the same length. Many of the_ cows appear to realise what this operation portends; once it has been performed they strike defensive postures and bellow furiously or dash hither and thither scattering grass and mud with the stubs. The younger cows, perhaps because they are aware that they have not yet attained mature strength, shun the ignominy of defeat and discreetly abstain from taking part in the combats. Usually there is heavy betting upon the favourites; not infrequently the feeling runs so. high that there are

arguments, and even fisticuffs. The rivalry among the owners and herdsmen is no less keen than among the cows themselves. THE FIGHT STARTS. When all the preliminaries are over the crowd forms a huge ring. This is the arena, into which about 30 beasts are led. For a brief time they eye each other defiantly, pawing the damp earth or rubbing their muzzles with mud and grass as if to give themselves a fiercer aspect. Suddenly they begin to choose their adversaries and the combat starts. The weaker cows, who have been too presumptuous of their physical forces, are quickly routed and retire humiliated to the herd, only the challengers and a few of their st/ablemates, who appear to act as seconds, remain in the arena. Again there is a pause; again the combatants select their adversaries, and again the fight starts. Head to head, horns locked, and every muscle straining, they push with all their might. They are a remarkably agile breed Occassionally, a pair will disengage their horns, withdraw a few feet, and rush together again with crashing skulls. Another pair will see-saw back and forth, each having but a momentary advantage. Then, one by one the losers begin to give ground. Some of them retire precipitately, others gradually; still others are overturned and harassed by their victorious foes. All of them wear their bells, the heavy brass bells peculiar to Switzerland, which keep up a constant clangour during tho contests, Thus, through a series of elimination tests, the combat _ continues until hut one cow remains in the arena. Here is the real challenger, the new hope of the herd, who will fight it out with the previous year’s champion. THE FINAL STRUGGLE. The crowd makes way silently and the champion is led in. Almost always she is a handsome specimen, big, sleek, and strong. But the challenger eyes her contemptuously and bellows defiance. The champion stands for a minute, returning her rival’s gaze, a» though appraising her ,merits and weak points. Then swiftly they rush together and lock horns. ■ With backs arched, heads lowered, and muzzles almost touching the ground, they strain, with all their forces Backward and forward they move, while their supporters in the crowd roar encouragement and their bells clatter furiously. If they are evenly matched, as they usually are. the fight may last five or 10 minutes. But if not. the weaker of the two will soon begin to cede ground, her hooves sliding along the slippery grass as she is shunted across the field with increasing momentum. Then the victor, be she champion or challenger, will disengage her horns and hurry her discredited rival on with a few welldirected butts. Proud is th° owner of a_ champion, for he enjoys wide renown in the canton and is the envy of all his fellows. But prouder still is the champion herself. for she is proclaimed queen of her herd and adorned with a magnificent collar and bell to wear throughout her reign.

The coronation of a new queen is often an elaborate ceremony, in which she is decked with flowers and garlands. Sometimes the fete has a religious aspect and the combats are the occasion of the blessing of the herds: for the Valais is predominantly a Catholic canton and clings to this devout and ancient custom. ~ . „ About every five years there is a • battle of the queens, in which the champions of all the herds are assembled to fight for the cantonal championship. These are elaborate affairs, often parades of the contestants led by brass or accordion bands. But they lack the pastoral appeal and rustic settings or the simpler combats.