Barbegazi
- Joëlle Przytula-Bertherin
- Mar 3, 2022
- 2 min read
When it snows in the Swiss Alps and you can hear the wind howling, it sometimes pays off to listen extra carefully.
Is it the howling of the wind? Or the sinister howl of a Barbegazi? These horrible snowman-like creatures live in the highest, coldest and most inhospitable parts of the mountains. Therefore they know better than anyone that the weather in the mountains can be treacherous and can change quickly. With their howling, they warn people for the impending danger of a mountain storm or, even worse, an avalanche.
While the Tibetan cousin of the Barbegazi is labeled as "terrible," the reputation of the Barbegazi is a lot more positive. Where this difference comes from is not entirely clear. Perhaps Swiss cheese fondue contributes more to the happiness hormone of these creatures than Jak milk, but that is something only food science can confirm. Barbegazis are often described as friendly big softies who can sometimes even come off as helpful. Many a sheep has returned safely thanks to Barbegazi, after being thought to be lost forever in the Alps by the shepherd.
Those who are not bothered by eccentric external features could describe the Barbegazi as cute. With their large feet, they can navigate themselves well on thick snow. There are even those who claim to have seen a Barbegazi skiing on its distinctive feet during an avalanche! One might say that the word "snowplow" is appropriate in this situation, but it is unclear whether Barbegazis have a sense of humor. Too little is known about them to assume that.
Since it's difficult for people to distinguish between the howl of a Barbegazi and the howl of the wind, attempts to warn humans of an avalanche or snowstorm have often been in vain. It's said that Barbegazi dug people out of thick packs of snow after they got buried under an avalanche. This is quite possible, since they can dig themselves in and out of meter-thick snow at lightning speed. This may also explain why Barbegazi does not show up very often. Its helpfulness should not be confused with amiability. Barbegazi is shy.
Chances are you will be startled when you see this creature for the first time. His appearance is not one you see every day. His eyes are bright blue, almost reflective, he has pointed ears and is large enough to be mistaken for a polar bear. His white beard is long enough to wrap around himself and any victim of an avalanche, but whether it provides warmth is doubtful. In fact, the name Barbegazi comes from the French words: barbe glacée, meaning frozen beard. The few people who have seen a Barbegazi always described the glare of icicles in his hair and beard. As such, they seem to have a poor tolerance for higher temperatures. Therefore, in the summer, you won't be likely to encounter this friendly but shy creature unless you're willing to go to the very highest areas in search of the place it has chosen to hibernate.
So the next time you hear the wind howling in the mountains of Switzerland, find a sheltered spot just to be sure. It just might be this gentle creature trying to warn you of approaching danger....
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