Dressing up

The village of Urnäsch celebrates the New Year twice: on December 31 and January 13. The latter is the date of the start of the New Year according to the old Julian calendar. The Protestant population here still - symbolically at least - refuse to recognise the calendar reform introduced by Pope Gregory XIII at the end of the 16th century. The men, dressed up as the "Silvester Kläuse", walk from farm to farm, yodelling and wishing everyone a happy New Year. Photographer Barbara Graf Horka accompanied the Kläuse during their wanderings. swissinfo.ch
They begin their journey in the early hours of the morning and continue into the evening. swissinfo.ch
The Kläuse walk about ten kilometres in all. At each farm, they are treated to mulled wine which they sip through a straw. swissinfo.ch
Thousands of colourful glass beads decorate their headdresses. swissinfo.ch
January 13 is for many locals still the most important day of the year. swissinfo.ch
The headdresses are lovingly carved and painted, many depicting folkloric scenes. swissinfo.ch
The costumes often weigh more than 30kg, and are only worn by men. swissinfo.ch
After greetings are exchanged, the Kläuse form a circle, shake their bells and start to yodel. swissinfo.ch
In the evening, the Kläuse go bar hopping, paying a visit to each of the village's restaurants. swissinfo.ch
The men behind the Kläuse masks are in most cases farmers or from families which have passed the rite on from generation to generation. swissinfo.ch