This festival reflects the deep Alpine Catholic tradition of Bavarian farmers and tightknit mountain communities in the Berchtesgadener Land. The Almabtrieb is rooted in a gratitude ritual: if no livestock or family member died over summer, the cows are festively adorned and blessed, symbolizing thanks to God. It reinforces community identity and lore: only the herds that had an accident-free summer are celebrated, otherwise...