Cowbell

Although this bell is not really tiny I think it is tiny compared with the huge cowbells that Alpine cows wear on the Viehscheid.  When walking in the Alps in summer the sound of bells is everywhere while the cows graze on the lush mountain pastures. In autumn herdsmen bring the cows down in a cattle drive and the cows are separated from each other (the Viehscheid) then returned to their owners. Many of the cows wear large bells instead of their normal ones and the Kranzkuh ’ has an even larger bell which I think is probably about 30 cms high.   Provided there have been no injuries or losses the leading cow (the Kranzkuh) is decorated with a wreath or Kranz, decorated with Alpine flowers and spruce and bearing a cross and a mirror.  All the other cows wear huge bells to ward off any evil demons the cattle might encounter on their way down the mountain. 
I have been fortunate before to see this marvellous event and had intended visiting this year again but unfortunately had to change our plans.  It would have been a most impressive sight and sound with over 800 cows walking through the town led by the Kranzkuh.  Many of the villages and small towns have this each September and it’s a time for great joy and festivity with the local people in local dress.

(TinyTuesday challenge)