Swiss government put forward yodeling as candidate for UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage

Whether heard echoing through the Alps as a mountain cry made by herders in suspenders, featured in Scandinavian folk music or morphed by Tarzan in his yodel-like call, chances are you’ve encountered the distinctive Swiss tradition of yodeling in one of its many iterations.

More than a yesteryear bellow, it’s a popular form of singing that has found its way into the international musical lexicon and shows no signs of slowing down in its country of origin. The Swiss government says at least 12,000 yodelers take part through about 780 groups of the Swiss Yodeling Association.

Now, Switzerland's government has put forward yodeling as an officially endorsed candidate for inclusion in UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage.

The classification aims to raise public awareness of arts, craftsmanship, rituals, knowledge and traditions that are passed down over generations.

Switzerland has four languages: German, French, Italian and Romansh. But some, like Nadja Räss, would like to see yodeling recognised as the fifth.

“For me, actually, in Switzerland we have four languages but I think really we have five languages. We have a fifth: The yodel," said Räss, a professor at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSLU), which became the first Swiss university to teach yodeling about seven years ago.

“We figured out some projects to bring it to the future. And one of those is that we bring the yodel to the primary school,” said Räss, who herself grew up yodeling. She said 20 Swiss school teachers know how to yodel and are trying it with their classes.

"One of my life goals is that when I will die, in Switzerland every school child will be in contact with yodeling during their primary school time,” she said. “I think it’s a very good chance for the future of the yodel to be on that (UNESCO) list.”

The UN cultural agency, based in the French capital, is expected to deliver a decision by year-end.