Scythe mowing

Mowing with a scythe is still part of the hard everyday life of mountain farmers. Of course, today mowing by hand is only done where tractors can no longer reach. But in the mountain regions of South Tyrol and Tyrol, there are still plenty of slopes that are too steep or impassable for machines.

At the same time, scythe mowing has been discovered as a wellness trend. The even, swinging movement is quite meditative and can be a meaningful alternative to the urban office and work routine. In many hotels and holiday regions, scythe mowing is offered as part of a wellness program, where one can "get back to the roots" and the specific, strenuous work of mowing provides a pleasant contrast to the often very abstract work in our modern information society. Fitness training and self-discovery in nature are the focus. In addition, participants learn the "technical" aspects, the correct, energy-saving mowing technique, as well as the handling and care of the tool, especially the correct sharpening of the scythe with the whetstone, known as "dengeling." The various types of scythes that are optimal for the respective terrain are also presented.

In the past, mowing the meadows and fields was real hard work. Often, mowing lasted up to 16 hours a day for weeks. In order to carry out the work as efficiently as possible, a very systematic approach was used: the head farmhand always led the way, usually the best and fastest mower. The other farmhands and laborers followed him, staggered to the side, depending on the size of the area, up to twelve men. A good mower was said to have managed up to 600 m² per hour. The maids followed behind, usually one maid for three mowers, who had to toss and shake up the hay. Men and women did not spare each other: if one group was too slow, they were mercilessly mocked by the other.

On the steep mountain slopes of the Alps, mowing was often torture and also very dangerous. Sometimes crampons even had to be put on, because slipping on the sloping meadows could mean death. What appears to us today as a contemplative idyll was a life-threatening, endlessly hard physical labor. Modern technology has thankfully brought great relief here.

In addition, scythe mowing is still practiced competitively today. Whether in regulated competitions at the regional and national level or as a fun event: scythe mowing can be a quite attractive sport that demands strength and skill alike.