The battles of the queens
Two cows head to head, and the first to back away has lost
Every year in the Aosta Valley, cows face each other in pairs in front of an audience. These contests are called the batailles de reines, the battles of the “reines” (queen cows). They are not bloody fights: the animals push against each other, head to head, until one of them gives up.
Where the tradition comes from
No one knows exactly when it all began. At first, there was no show. When the herds go up to the summer pastures at the start of summer, cows from several cowsheds find themselves together. They then fight of their own accord to establish which one is dominant. The winner becomes the “queen” of the herd. Over time, the farmers organised these contests, and they became a festival.
The breeds in the ring
The cows that fight are of local breeds. The Aosta Valley Black Pied and the Aosta Valley Chestnut are the most combative. The Aosta Valley Red Pied, bred mainly for milk, is seen less often in the arena. They are sturdy animals, suited to the mountains, with well-developed horns.
How a fight works
The cows are divided into categories according to their weight. Two cows from the same category enter the arena. They stand face to face, lower their heads and push, horn against horn. The loser is the one that backs away, turns tail or refuses to resume the fight. The farmers stay close by and can take their animal back. Injuries are rare.
The qualifying rounds take place in the villages in spring and summer. The final is held in autumn at the Croix-Noire arena, near Aosta.
What it brings the valley
For farmers, owning a queen is a source of pride. The battles also attract visitors. They help promote the products made from these cows’ milk, particularly the cheeses.
