Jass, yodelling, Fasnacht, Chilbi

Many Swiss traditions come from life in the countryside. Yodelling is one of them. When you yodel, you sing without words. The voice jumps quickly back and forth between a low chest voice and a high head voice. You do not need an instrument for it, only your own voice. Since 2025 Swiss yodelling has been part of UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage.

The most popular card game in Switzerland is called Jass. It has been played for centuries, often by four people in the family, in a club or in a restaurant. There are German and French Jass cards. Jass is considered Switzerland's national game. It is played with 36 cards. There are many variants; the best known is called «Schieber».

Fasnacht (carnival) is a festival before Lent in spring. Masks, costumes, loud music and parades through the streets are typical. The best known is the Basel Fasnacht. It starts on the Monday after Ash Wednesday at 4 a.m. with the «Morgestraich»: the street lights go out, and pipers and drummers march with colourful lanterns through the dark old town.

A «Chilbi» is a traditional fair, often for the anniversary of a church's consecration (Kirchweih). The word comes from «Kirchweih». There are merry-go-rounds, roller coasters, shooting galleries and stalls with sweets. Almost every village and town has a Chilbi once a year. Families, friends and neighbours meet there.

Memory aid: Chilbi comes from «Kirchweih»: a festival for the whole village, today with roller coaster and merry-go-round.