These battles have ancient origins. The rules and a regional
organization were established in the '50s. Therefore there are
preliminary heats, based on weight (eight in spring, six in summer
and five in autumn) which take place on the mountain pastures during
the summer, and are attended by herd owners, residents and lots of
tourists, who can enjoy a day in the open and an unusual show all at
the same time.
A famous "reines" battle takes place on the
"Piccolo San Bernardo" pass, once a meeting place for shepherds from
the Valle d'Aosta and from Savoy.
The winners from the preliminary rounds meet on
the third Sunday of October for the final match, in the Aosta arena,
called "the Croix Noire", intentionally built for this show.
This event is quite important in the Valley's
agricultural world and is an event that curious tourists cannot
miss.
The example of cattle breeders has been followed
by goat breeders ("tchevre" in patois dialect), who, since 1981,
have organized their own celebration day with non-violent battles
among their animals. Goats are also divided into categories,
according to weight, and the match is similar to the "reine" one.
Winners are awarded with "tchambis", hand carved collars made out of
maple and walnut wood, and provided with the characteristic bell.
Two other kinds of initiatives are related to
cattle breeding: "alpages ouvertes" (visits of pastures all over the
Valley area and tasting of food products), and the "desarpa" , in
Aosta, to celebrate the ritual return from high mountain pastures.
