Mani Matter and Bernese dialect music

Mani Matter (1936-1972) was the most famous dialect singer-songwriter from the canton of Bern. His songs are part of the popular music repertoire of German-speaking Switzerland, known among the general public and across virtually all generations. The catchy melodies and harmonies and the profound stories that the songs tell make singing along irresistible. "Eskimo", "Sidi Abdel Assar of El Hama" and other Mani Matter classics are sung in nurseries, in schools, on traditional spring walks and at family parties. His songs frequently appear in the repertoire of children's choirs, scout singers and school choirs and are even sung by male choirs and church choirs.

At the end of the 1960s, Mani Matter was a member of the "Bern Troubadours", a loose group of Bernese musicians which included Jacob Stickelberger and Fritz Widmer. Over the years many Swiss musicians, including Polo Hofer and Züri West, have been inspired by Mani Matter's songs and have covered them. Stephan Eicher made Mani Matter's song "Hemmige" so famous that French speakers at his concerts could sing along to the lyrics in Bernese dialect.