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Hungary's Wheat Stalk WeaversHistory of a Traditional Handicraft Found in Some Hungarian Villages
Hollókõ, a World Heritage site in Hungary, is only one of the many villages throughout the country where the traditional craft of wheat stalk weaving is still practiced.
All over Hungary, handicrafts and old traditions – songs, dance, costume – are kept alive through festivals, such as the Zsámbok lecsó festival, and the Straw Festival at Pusztamonastor. Masters of Hungarian HandicraftsHandicraft experts are awarded the accolade of Handicraft Master for crafts as diverse as baking, embroidery, corn doll making and egg shoeing. But in the background are armies of people who practise the various handicrafts for pleasure, keeping the art alive, and passing on their skills to the next generation. Wheat Stalk Weaving in the World Heritage Village of HollókõIn almost any country village throughout Hungary you can find women who practice the age-old craft of wheat stalk weaving, and their memories and skills can take you back to a previous age. One such person is Morika, from Holloko, the World Heritage site village in the Cserhát Hills in Hungary. She’s now in her eighth decade, and was delighted to share her memories of past harvests, the history and customs behind the wheat stalk decorations, and to demonstrate the art of making the decorations. Wheat Harvesting LoreWhen the wheat was ready to be harvested, word went around, and a team of people was selected, under the direction of a team leader. The leader was responsible for the gathering of the harvest – he took the first cut of the field, set the pace for the rest of the harvesters, and organised the food for the harvesters. Harvesting by Hand With a ScytheThe men went ahead, wielding the big two-handed scythes, while the women and girls followed, gathering the stocks together and binding them for drying. Occasionally, according to a verbal contract, each 9th stock belonged to the harvesters. Taller Wheat in the PastWhen the harvest was finished the women and girls created a decoration woven from the wheat stalks. Such decorations could be small, or as large as their creators fancied. The wheat was taller in those days, but then, as now, when the women ran out of stem, they simply inserted the beginning of one stem into the end of another, thus making the stalk longer. Woven Wheat Stalk Decorations Signified the End of the HarvestThe finished decoration was given to the team leader, and he ceremoniously presented it to the owner of the paddocks, often with a humorous and sometimes sly rhyme, signifying that the harvest was officially over. He was given a monetary reward for his part in setting the pace and keeping the rest of the workers on track. Harvest FestivalThe presentation of the decoration signified the end of the harvest, and also the beginning of the harvest festival, one of the most important events of the season. The bigger the landowner, the bigger and longer the festival, with Gypsy music, plenty of kettle goulash, bread and of course wine. The harvesters would dress in their festival costumes, and dance away the hours, happy that the work was completed. Food, Wine, Music and DanceSomething of this same atmosphere of relief and joy of a successful harvest still pervades the modern day harvest festivals, held in September throughout the countryside. Many of the same features abound – plenty of food, wine, music and dancing in the colourful costumes. There are also plenty of handicrafts for sale, and many people on hand to demonstrate the old crafts to children and interested adults. Modern Harvest FestivalsSome of the festivals in Hungary during September include the Goulash Festival at Szolnok, the healthy food and wine festival in Hajdúszoboszló, and the Kozard and Gyongyos Harvest festivals.
The copyright of the article Hungary's Wheat Stalk Weavers in Hungary Travel is owned by Christiane Birkett. Permission to republish Hungary's Wheat Stalk Weavers in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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