The Walser people are an ethnic group who historically inhabited the mountainous regions of Switzerland, as well as parts of Austria and Italy. They are known for their distinct language, culture, and traditional way of life. The name “Walser” is derived from the German word “Walchen,” which means “foreigners” or “Romans” and was historically used to refer to Romance-speaking populations.
Following previous tests on large numbers of western Walsers for the ABO and Rh (D) antigens, tests for the antigens A1, A2, B, M, N, S, Henshaw, P, C, CW, c, D, Du, E, e, Lua, K, Lea and Fya were carried out on limited numbers of such persons from Safien, Tenna, Versam and Vals (Grisons). Comparative tests were done on the neighbouring Romansh-speaking population. In the western Walsers the 0 gene was found to have a high frequency. The d (Rh-negative) gene is common at Safien, Tenna and Versam but rather rare at Vals.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1423-0410.1957.tb03451.x
The Walser people originated from the upper Rhine Valley in what is now Switzerland and gradually migrated to other areas, particularly in the Middle Ages. They established settlements in remote alpine valleys, where they developed a unique culture influenced by their isolation and the rugged mountain environment.
The Walser communities traditionally relied on agriculture, animal husbandry, and transhumance (seasonal migration of livestock) for their livelihoods. They were skilled in farming techniques adapted to the alpine terrain and practiced sustainable land management. In addition to their agricultural activities, the Walser people were also known for their craftsmanship, particularly in woodworking and textiles.
One notable aspect of Walser culture is their distinct language, called Walser German. It is a dialect of the Alemannic branch of German, but it has its own characteristics and vocabulary. Over time, due to their isolation and geographic dispersion, different Walser communities developed their own variations of the language.
Today, the Walser people are a minority group within the countries they inhabit, and their numbers have significantly diminished over the centuries. Nevertheless, their cultural heritage is still preserved in some areas, and efforts are made to maintain their unique language and traditions. The Walser valleys in Switzerland, such as the Lötschental and the Safiental, are known for their scenic beauty and cultural significance.