The History of Colani
The first reference to Colani dates back to the 16th century. The books of the
"Buendner Herrschaft" (reign of Grison) point to a breed of particularly menacing
Swiss mercenaries in the Roman legion. It was assumed that they had their roots deep
in the Swiss Alps (colina = on a hill, slope).
Later evidence however identified another tribe of Colanis, which clearly originated
from the northern Basque region of Spain. During the retreat of the pilgrimage they
found their way via Italy to the southeastern parts of Switzerland. The area surrounding
Santiago di Compostella has been renown for its colani a popular 17th century term
for pilgrimage hostels. The term most probably combines the Catalonian word comer
(= to eat, feed) and the old Bavarian term lani (= plain, simple, meager).
The term has since vanished and pilgrimage hostels are today generally named with a religious
reference.
Following the tracks of the pilgrimage, the Colanis reappear again in the history books
of the mid-18th century, when Switzerland's alpine regions were dominated by feudal,
almost medieval, societies. A number of references point to the gallantry and courage of
a Ciachem Colani (1746-1789), a legendary Robin Hood-type of mountain fellow.
The Colani coat of arms is traced back to this time. According to Dr. Eugene dePulley,
Professor of Heraldry at the University of Lausanne, its three features, the gate tower
(most likely the Tower of Meli), the river Inn, and the free bird are symbolic for
their determination, far sightedness and sense of freedom.
Ciachem Colani came to fame at the age of 18 when he and his trullis
- a clan of notorious youngsters - took up the fight against invading
clans from northern Italy. Legend has it that Ciachem overpowered and
captured the Italian gang leader on a midsummer night upon his return
from his cortisone. Churchgoers found the Italian tied up and
screaming of rage in the early morning hours at the Palazzo in
Trentino. The Italians later retreated in embarrassment. Ciachem died
in 1789 at a relatively young age. He was rumored to have been shot
by poachers.
Among the descendants of Chiachem Colani we find a colorful Bohemian
painter and sculpturer, known by the artist name paga d'ache.
His abstract style was far ahead of his time and as a result his works
were often misunderstood or ignored. A man of controversy, paga
d'ache lived a life in solitude on the foothills of the Bernina
mountains. Some of his works were rediscovered in the early 1990s
including the now-famous Banana Leaf Collection, also referred to
as the 'leaf green period'.