Folklore

Life and local traditions An important occasion for celebration in Bionaz is the carnival. The carnival that takes place in Bionaz is filled with history, as is the case in the whole of the Grand Saint Bernard valley. It is said that traditional clothes appeared after Napoleon walked over the Grand Saint Bernard pass: The traditional clothes are an allegorical adaptation of the uniforms that were worn by the French soldiers. During carnival, the people dressed up in their colourful costumes and were accompanied by the enthusiastic music from accordions. The people visited each hamlet making friendly gestures that can be a little bit provocative. These gestures gave images that relate to the arrival of Spring. In Bionaz, "inalper" and "désalper" (going to the Alp pastures and coming back) are also associated with times of celebrations. The cow, which is an important and symbolical animal of the mountain, is used to mark the celebration. It is no coincidence that the district has chosen this animal for its armorial bearings as during May, local people celebrate the cows as they are leaving the stables and starting their slow trip to the mountain pastures following the pace of nature. In September, stockbreeders celebrate the return of the cows from the mountain pastures. There is a procession of cattle owners, shepherds and their herds lead by the so-called `Queen of horns' and the `Queen of milk' as hundreds of bells are jiggling around. The making of black rye bread is also a time to celebrate in Bionaz. In winter, rye bread is baked in hamlet ovens. As its smell is spreading around in the village, people are dancing to the sound of accordions.