The Meeting of The Queens
In the Swiss mountains, spring marks the time of the "inalpe"
In the Swiss mountains, spring marks the time of the "inalpe"
After spending the winter in barns, the Hérens cows make their way back up to the alpine pastures.
On that day, each farmer brings their animals—on foot or by trailer—up to the mountain pastures. Once there, the cows are gathered in a common enclosure. This is where the meeting of the Hérens cows begins. They observe each other, challenge one another, and then clash, horn against horn, until one of them yields. These fights are an instinctive way of establishing a hierarchy within the herd. Although impressive, these confrontations are supervised by the farmers and rarely result in serious injuries. They follow natural rules, without excessive violence.
The cows are numbered for easy identification, allowing spectators—both locals and visitors—to closely follow the battles and try to guess which one will become the future queen of the herd. The hierarchy established at the beginning of the season may change over the course of the summer, depending on interactions in the pasture. It is only at the "désalpe", when the cows return to the lowlands in September, that the dominant cow is officially crowned queen, to the great pride of her owner.
The "inalpe" is also a festive occasion, eagerly anticipated by farmers and valley residents alike. The cow fights are watched as a true spectacle. But beyond the entertainment aspect, this day remains above all a key moment in the pastoral management of the mountain.
With its proud stance and strong temperament, the Hérens cow is a powerful symbol in Anniviers and throughout Valais. It embodies tradition, a deep connection to the land, and the identity of the Anniviers region.
