Wybermahl in Hettiswil

Every two years, the women of Hettiswil in the municipality of Krauchthal celebrate the “Wybermahl” – the Women’s Feast – with changing themes. The celebration is funded by a historic donation: because the women had defended the local Cluniac priory against the plundering and pillaging Guglers in 1375, inflicting a total defeat, the prior of the monastery granted them the right to fell wood in the monastery’s forest on the anniversary of the battle (26 December). Since this resulted in too much damage to the forest, the donation was later modified, and a meadow was granted to the women instead. In 1870, authorities banned the festivities of the peasant women, which were perceived as too wild, and the income from the property was allocated to the town’s handicraft lessons. When these lessons also became mandatory for boys in 1985, the women of Hettiswil organised the Committee for the Reintroduction of the Women's Feast and petitioned various authorities to revive their old tradition. In 1990, the Women's Feast was allowed to be held again for the first time.

Only the women of Hettiswil are allowed to participate in the Wybermahl. Around one-third take part in the celebration, which strengthens bonds within the local community: many young women participate, and newcomers get to know the long-time residents. A strong sense of identity has coaescled around the Wybermahl, and many of the activities undertaken by women in Hettiswil are closely related to the event. The women haven’t lost their warrior spirit, either: when the municipality of Krauchthal wanted to cut the yield from the women’s meadow (Wybermatte) by half in 2022, they jokingly threatened that they would turn up again again with axes and scythes.