Sennentuntschi: The queen of the Alps

There is a dark and legendary figure in the German-speaking Alpine region folklore. In Lichtenstein it calls "The Guschg Herdsmen's Doll", in Switzerland its name is "Sennentuntschi". This legend is known in various versions but all those versions have the same central point.

Up in Alpine meadows a group of herdsmen and shepherds spent what little spare time they had making a life-size doll out of rags to use as a wife. They would speak to her, eat and have sex with her. On occasions they would even beat her.

As autumn arrived and the time came to bring the cows down from the meadow, the doll sat up one evening during dinner and began to speak. M back up towards the meadow. There they saw the herdsman's skin stretched out across the roof of their mountain hut, with the doll sitting nearby, laughing.

There are few mentions of "Sennentuntschi" in modern culture. A several movies that portray the legend:

Die wilde Frau (1986) directed by Felix Mitterer
Sukkubus - den Teufel im Leib (1989) directed by Georg Tressler
Sennentuntschi (2010) directed by Michael Steiner

The last one I've seen recently. It takes you to the Alpine charming atmosphere, plus the gorgeous Roxane Mesquida, who deserves to act as a Sennentuntschi.

Mina Mond, a modern art representative has exquisite canvasses dedicated to the legend.

A Greek black metal band "Helke" has song "Sennentuntschi" from their first demo.

And finally, the photoshoot of "Sennentuntschi" in the Argentinian DMagazine.