Cultural Impact #2 of the Alps on Switzerland: Symbolism

Another way the Alps have affected the culture of Switzerland is through Switzerland’s national symbols. Switzerland has many national symbols and traditions, and most (if not all) were influenced by the Alps. The national instrument of Switzerland is the Alphorn. Aside from the obvious naming influence, this long, tubed wooden wind instrument was originally “used to call the cows from the pastures and into the barn at milking time”, and is still played in the mountains today, though more for recreational reasons (Tourismus). Yodeling, a unique singing style, also originated from the Alps region. The singer quickly switches between their chest voice and their falsetto while vocalizing the “cracks” or the switches between registers, and originated from shepherds using it to communicate in the mountains. Poya paintings are traditional artworks that originated with cattle farmers. The paintings symbolize the productive season starting, and would decorate the farms with artwork of the herder’s flock and other animals in the mountains (Hyseni).