Chalandamarz - an old Engadine custom

On 1 March, the children parade through the village with bells and drive away winter with singing, cracking whips and ringing bells."Chalandamarz, chaland´avrigl, laschè las vachas our d´uvigl..."
We find the roots of Chalandamarz in pagan times, with the Romans. The month of March is dedicated to Mars, the god of the sun and war. According to the Julian calendar, the year began in March and in the warmer regions it also marked the beginning of spring.
This event was celebrated with grandiose festivals to ask Mars for his blessing for fields, meadows and cattle. The Romans also played an important role in the Engadine and left traces of their customs. Cracking whips, ringing bells and singing are used to drive away the invisible spirits. This noise is supposed to instil fear in the winter (spirit) and thus awaken fertility.
Read more about the Chalandamarz on our history of Sils.
The procession through Val Fex takes place on 29 February.
Information
Sils Tourist Information, T +41 81 838 50 50, sils@engadin.ch, www.sils.ch/
Reservation
not necessary
Admission
Free admission