bavarikon4UTypical Swabian? Identity and stereotypes
The ideas of what is typically Swabian changed over time. Self-perceptions and ascriptions by others formed stereotypes, which were expressed in the story of the Seven Swabians, for example. Their representation, whether as monuments or in the form of everyday objects, evokes specific characteristics that provoked ridicule and jokes. In the 20th century, the joke figures developed into a trademark.
Clichés are also attached to eating habits: whereas the Swabian was once said to have a preference for soups, Swabian spaetzle and knöpfle are now considered their favourite dish. The term has been protected throughout the EU since 2012 with the PGI seal. Less attention, on the other hand, is paid to the long-cherished tradition of brewing beer, a glimpse of which can be gleaned by looking at beer mugs and advertising signs.
Until 1806, Swabia was a patchwork of independent small states: secular and ecclesiastical dominions, imperial cities and Habsburg territories alternated within a few kilometres. It was not until 1837/38, when the district of Swabia and Neuburg was constituted in the Kingdom of Bavaria, that efforts were made to form a Bavarian-Swabian "we" consciousness. But local and regional identities continued to have an impact – also with the help of supposedly typical regional costumes and traditional costume artwork. Swabian traditional costume, characterised by round-shaped and crown-like bonnets for women and the red "Schwabenleible" waistcoat for men, had to be developed first.
The Bavarian kings emphasised the intrinsic value of the parts of the country, for example through visits to the former imperial city of Augsburg, which is recounted in prints and photographic postcards. The takeover of several regiments stationed in Swabia by House of Wittelsbach princes was intended to strengthen Swabia’s ties with the royal family. Visible traces of this are reservist items such as beer mugs, plates or pictures, i.e. souvenirs to glorify one’s own military days.
Since the 19th century, the Ries and Allgäu areas in particular have maintained strong regional traditions. Alpinism, travel stories and travel guides helped establish the previously little-known term "Allgäu" towards the end of the 19th century. The strongly promoted tourist infrastructure, winter sports and the royal castles made Allgäu a popular tourist destination, as evidenced by postcards and mass-produced souvenirs. The rural living environment was transformed into an important tourist region.
>> This collection is part of the holdings of the Museum Oberschönenfeld.