1113 – Pig Sty from Blatten, Valais, 19th Century

The pig sty, the "Schwiistiija", stood directly in front of the house from Blatten (1111). A "Schtiija" is a small wooden building: it usually measures about two metres by two (seven feet by seven). Next to the front entry there is a hollowed-out tree trunk serving as a feed trough. A minimal opening is sawn out of the timber wall: the hogs had no more light than exercise … They had it no better in summer on the alp: the same kind of small, dark holes housed them there.

Lettuce trimmings, potato peelings or whatever household waste accumulated was not thrown away but fed to the hogs. In the Lötschen valley their main nourishment was "Sirmda", the liquid whey remnant from cheesemaking. In the fi elds, farmers gathered "Holiga" (dock weeds), "Dischi" (thistles) or "Brennesseln" (nettles) for fodder – the hogs were fattened up for slaughter at a "Metzgete" in early November as hearty winter food reserves.