Costume Stick Item Number: 3272/4 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Kurent stick, or club. Made of a thick branch of wood, slightly curved along its length, blunt at each end. A leather thong passes through a hole at grip end, and a hedgehog pelt with quills and a small amount of fur is attached to head. A meal hook is screwed into head at tip.
History Of Use
Kurentovanje is one of Slovenia's most ethnologically significant carnival events. The 10-day rite of spring and fertility is celebrated on Shrove Sunday in Ptuj. Its main figure, known as Kurent, was seen as an extravagant god of unrestrained pleasure and hedonism in early Slavic customs. In today's festival, groups of kurents, or kurenti, wear sheepskin garments while holding wooden clubs with hedgehog skins attached, called ježevke, the noise of which is believed to chase away winter.
Cultural Context
Kurent costume stick, used with costume pieces 3272/1-3.
Item History
- Made in Ptuj, Slovenia during 1990
- Owned by Gorazd Zmavc before October 19, 2017
- Received from Gorazd Zmavc (Donor) on October 19, 2017
What
- Name
- Costume Stick
- Identification Number
- 3272/4
- Type of Item
- stick
- Material
- wood, hedgehog skin, skin and metal
- Overall
- height 86.0 cm, width 7.5 cm, depth 7.5 cm
Who
- Culture
- Slovenian
- Previous Owner
- Gorazd Zmavc
- Received from
- Gorazd Zmavc (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Ptuj, Slovenia
When
- Creation Date
- during 1990
- Ownership Date
- before October 19, 2017
- Acquisition Date
- on October 19, 2017
Other
- Condition
- good
- Current Location
- Case 97
- Accession Number
- 3272/0004