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Especially in the reformed Protestant cantons, the authorities tried to prevent the practice of folk music by banning dancing as early as the 16th century.
In the canton of Appenzell, it was forbidden to dance to drums, pipes and strings from 1570 onwards. Stringed music probably meant the dulcimer, but possibly also the violin (fiddle) or both. For a long time, the authorities grappled with rural folk music, which spread throughout the country despite the many prohibitions.
Mandate book, Canton Appenzell:
Facsimile ban on dancing 1571
„…darum sol aller maincklich wyssen, das man jm gannzen Lanndallenthalben nüt sol tarf tannzen, weder tag nach nacht, ouch weder an kilwina nach hochzit vnd andery fest ganz kainer Lay saitten spil, ouch weder tromen nach pfifen bruchen….“
‘…therefore, it is the duty of all to ensure that dancing is prohibited throughout the canton, day and night. No one should play stringed music or drums on market days, weddings and other festivals…’