"The ritual has been performed for at least 500 years, but nobody knows how or why it began. The ornately dressed mummers, in groups of six, polyphonically yodel and ring bells."
"Some of the performers' headwear resembles miniature parade floats, while otherworldly designs made from pinecones, mosses, grasses, and other organic items make some of them appear as though they have emerged directly from the earth."
"As New Year's Eve arrives, the mummers connect houses with a red string, literally and figuratively stitching connections within the community."
Silvesterchlausen is a traditional event in Switzerland's Appenzell Hinterland and Midland regions, celebrated on December 31 and January 13. Participants, known as Chläuse, wear handmade costumes and masks that reflect rural and natural themes. The ritual, which has been practiced for over 500 years, involves groups of performers yodeling and ringing bells. The event fosters community bonds as the Chläuse connect homes with a red string and receive mulled wine from residents. The tradition is a significant cultural expression, with participants dedicating time to prepare and perform.
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