Rucavas tradicionālā kultūrtelpa (2018)

Author:

Sandra Aigare

Oral traditions and their expressions, including language as a vehicle of intangible cultural heritage

Social practices, rituals and festive events

Music/performing arts

Traditional kitchen

Traditional craft skills

Knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe

Title

Rucava traditional cultural space (2018)

Geography

Southern Kurzeme: the Rucava and Dunika parishes, Kalnišķi village, as well as Būtingė un Sventāja in Lithuania (former Latvian territories).

The Rucava cultural space is composed of both individuals and groups.
Individuals who feel that they belong to the Rucava cultural space and are interested in the preservation and transfer of Rucava cultural heritage for future generations can be found in the Rucava and Nīca municipalities,as well as the Rucavians living in Liepāja, and the latvians that belong to the Rucava-Sventāja culture that are living in Lithuania.
Those individuals (238 in total) that are united by their special responsibility for the exploration of Rucava heritage and who are interested and actively engaged in the maintenance of traditions, have united within interest groups (11 groups) and have confirmed with their signatures their readiness to foster the traditions of Rucava. These groups are:

1. Rucava Ethnographic Ensemble,
2. Rucava instrumental band,
3. Rucava Primary School Folklore Collective "Ķocītis",
4. Association "Rucava Tradition Club",
5. tradition collective "Rucavas sievas" [Women of Rucava],
6. Rucava traditional culture centre,
7. Rucava artisan collective,
8. association "Sventāja" in Liepāja,
9. Courian culture association in Sventāja,
10. association "Atpūta" Klaipēdā,
11. association "Kuršu iniciatīvu fonds" [Courian initiative foundation].

Importance in Community Life

Activities/Actions

The characteristics of the Rucava traditional cultural space of take the form of:
• the folk costume,
• language,
• singing,
• folklore,
• manner of tending the household,
• traditions of work and everyday life,
• seasonal celebrations.

THE RUCAVA FOLK COSTUME is one of three (alongside those of Bārta and Nīca) most plentiful, ornate and ancient folk costumes, which has a vital role in maintaining the local identity and building local patriotism.

The peculiarity of THE LANGUAGE (dialect) OF RUCAVA has evolved over many centuries, incorporating evidence of the contacts of the Baltic peoples (Couronians, Prussians, Lithuanians) and of the influence of German and Slavic languages.

Unlike Bārta and Nīca, where bourdon multi-part singing is the norm, the Rucava culture has maintained traces of the ancient UNISON SINGING. This style of singing can be regarded as a peculiar way of communication.
The regional folklore that used to be a means of communication and artistic expression has become a rich source of information today.

The RUCAVA FOLKLORE has examples of the regional dialect, a rich assortment of four-line folk songs that are still used in different celebrations – krustūbas [baptisms], funerals, field-work gatherings and in general everyday situations. These are an invaluable source of insight into the history, events, places, people, occupations, household life, traditions of work and social life etc.

As Couronian descendants, the Rucavians have tried to maintain their old way of MANAGING THE HOUSEHOLD through the ages – living off of the land, forests and waters. Traditionally, this has been done through agriculture, livestock breeding, fishery, trade crafts. The modern Rucava agriculture and livestock keeping has deep roots and important skills are passed on in everyday life.

RUCAVA WORK AND SOCIAL LIFE TRADITIONS. The Rucava folklore and traditions descriptions offer abundant depictions of celebrations with much associated folklore. The wedding and baptism traditions as well as the customs of collective field work gatherings have not been widely studied so there is still an opportunity to learn a lot about the folklore of these events and incorporate the traditional elements of some of these ancient celebrations into modern life situations.

SEASONAL CELEBRATIONS. The people of Rucava have maintained some ancient seasonal celebration song melodies—they have their own Easter melody, several solstice songs and a song for the ķekatas mask processions. Presently, the seasonal celebration traditions are maintained by the Rucava tradition club.
The Rucava municipality council and people maintaining the traditions realize the value of their cultural heritage and its role in both the development of the area and the contribution to the increased quality of life of each individual. Acquiring their own folk costume and learning the local traditions is a question of honour for many people of Rucava.
More information can be found in the section "Text Resources".

Inheritance and Transfer

History

Although the Rucava cultural space directly borders the Nīca and Bārta cultural spaces, and the centres of those cultural spaces are only 20 kilometres away, their similarities likely indicate an older common origin (like the blue color of lindruki (skirt) of the Nīca and Rucava early folk attire, the red pattern on the bottom hem of the lindruki, the white villaine (cloaks), and the wearing of the villaine around the hips, etc.). However, there are also many differences arising from different influences over different historical periods.
This is especially apparent in the language, which in Rucava has a comparatively large number of borrowed words from Lithuanian, the manner of singing (the multi-part drone singing practices of Bārta and Nīca versus the ancient unison singing that has survived in Rucava and can be seen as a peculiar mode of communication), and the traditions around the making and wearing the traditional clothing (some elements different from their neighbours include the women’s headcloth (nāmats), the young maidens’ head ornament (kaspina), three types of villaine (cloaks) – the white, the plaid (mārģine), and the linen drābule or snātene that in contrast to neighboring areas, is fastened by one or two stacks of saktas (traditional brooch-like jewellery) above the elbow.

The Rucava cultural space developed on the basis of earlier Baltic (Couronian and Prussian) cultures, interacting with Lithuanian, Polish, Russian, Baltic German, Swedish, and other cultures in the more recent history.

Rucava cultural space with its rich, peculiar cultural heritage, with living traditions, still attracts interested people and cultural researchers from both Latvia and other countries.
With its rich and peculiar cultural heritage and living traditions, the Rucava cultural space still attracts enthusiasts and cultural researchers from both Latvia and abroad. The old traditions are not the same today – the everyday conditions and social relations are different now. For example, historically, every Rucava woman made her own special occasion traditional clothing that was worn for every celebration, but today, this tradition is maintained only by the most active and diligent women of Rucava.
The elaborate wedding and baptism (krustūbas) ceremonies have also been lost. The modern weddings and baptisms contain only some of the earlier elements and examples of folk traditions.

Masters

1. Rucava folk costume makers - masters
Seamstresses:
Māra Tapiņa, Aija Cinkmane, Inese Rusmane.
Embroiderers:
Katrīna Vilma Pērkona, Inga Tapiņa, Dace Tapiņa, Aina Erna Antonija, Rasma Kleina, Elga Ozola, Maija Vajevska, Aleksandra Maksakova, Dace Liparta.
Knitters:
Mirdza Ārenta, Vilma Pričina, Rasma Kleina, Rasma Paupere, Māra Tapiņa, Aleksandra Maksakova, Dace Liparta, Inga Tapiņa.
Weavers:
Inga Tapiņa, Aina Erna Antonija.

2. Rucava language speakers, active storytellers
Miķelis Balčus – nominee of the Laiks Ziedonim 2018 competition in the category Bize, see www.youtube.com Aizpute TV film Ciemos pie Sventājas latviešiem [Visiting the Latvians of Sventāja] 23.04.2016
Dzintra Skrube – see www.youtube.com - Aizpute TV film Satikšanās Papes ciemā [Meeting in the Pape Village] 29.12.2017
Inga Tapiņa – nominee of the Laiks Ziedonim 2018 competition in the category Bize; the site www.rucava.lv in its section Rucavas sievas features articles in the “Rucavian language” by Inga Tapiņa
Dace Tapiņa – see www.youtube.com - Aizpute TV film Rucavas pūra vēdināšana kopā ar Daci Tapiņu [Airing the Rucava dowry with Dace Tapiņa] 27.10.2014.
Skaidrīte Zeme – Rucava language speaker, storyteller.
Anna Ilona Roga – Rucava language speaker, storyteller.

3. Singers of the Rucava unison singing (godu balsis)
Anna Veita - included into the Latvian culture map, knows wedding and baptism songs, inherited the manner of singing and assortment of songs from her mother, the widely known local folklore expert Katrīna Grabovska
Olga Dūrēja - the lead singer of the Rucava tradition club, knows wedding and baptism songs, can adapt songs according to the situation and improvise, indirectly learned singing during her childhood from her grandmother and neighbours.
Inga Tapiņa – knows wedding and baptism songs, learned the Rucava traditional singing due to the experiences and impressions of her childhood, is still studying the plentiful Rucava folklore materials, great sense of material, can use folk songs in different situations, uses singing the Rucava folk songs as the ancient communication style.
Aija Dejus - heard her grandmother singing the lead in weddings and baptisms of Rucava in her childhood, remembers the folk songs from her childhood, is studying lead singing in the wedding and baptism songs.
Sandra Aigare - newcomer to Rucava, lead singer of the RTC, learned the celebratory songs of Rucava from local folklore experts (via recordings and in-person meetings).

4. Cooks of the traditional food of Rucava
Mirdza Ārenta – master of the Rucava white butter,
Olga Dūrēja – master of the Rucava hard cheese and fine rye bread,
Maija Vajevska – master of Rucava cheese and mead,
Lilija Vītola – cook of meat foods,
Gunita Pričina – bread baker, master of sausages and meat,
Sandra Aigare – rye bread baker, master of kvass making,
Ruta Ķestere – master of different Rucava foods like riezis [potato gratin], grated potato loaves with sauce, bimbalu tīre [mashed potatoes with bacon] etc.,
Skaidrīte Zeme – master of Rucava traditional foods,
Aleksandra Maksakova – master of Rucava traditional foods, master of fish smoking and cooking foods with fish,
Sandra Roze – Master of the Rucava white butter and other traditional Rucavian foods.

Agencies and Institutions

RUCAVA CULTURE DEVELOPMENT SOCIETY (manager Daiga Straupeniece) - association
Rucava Tradition Club (Head Māra Tapiņa) – association
Traditions “Rucava wives” (Head Māra Tapiņa)
Rucava Craftsmen (manager Aleksandra Maksakova) - association
“SVENTĀJA” (manager Daiga Straupeniece) – association
Couronian Cultural Association (manager Miķelis Balčus) – association
Couronian Initiative Foundation (Board member Māris Muitenieks) – association
Pape Development Society (Head Māris Muitenieks) – association
Southern Kurzeme District Folk Tradition and Folklore Centre (manager Ieva Tālberga)
Rucava primary school (Director Liena Trumpika)
Rucava kindergarden “Zvaniņš” (Head Līga Jaunzeme)
Sikšņi pre-school group “Purenītes”, branch (Head Līga Jaunzeme)
Training spot of Rucava Music School (Director Dina Sleže)
Rucava Library (manager Gunta Timbra)
Dunika Library (manager Rasma Juzupa)
“Lauksargi” – antique storage (Ausma Padalka)
“Ciestomi” – antique storage (Arta Vecbaštika)
Fisherman/farmer farmstead “Vītolnieki” in Pape Ķoņu village - branch of the Ethnographic Open-Air museum of Latvia (farmstead curator Zigmārs Miemis, Director Zanda Kergalve)

Strengthening

The progress made to ensure the existence and continuation of the element:
- studied the language of the municipality, issued the book “Latvian language in Lithuania – Bowel and Svener” (2018) (author Daiga Straupeniece, association “SVENNIEKS”, VKKF).
- Textile material 3 public stocks (Dunics “Lauksargi” and “Zvanītāji” of Dunika, Rucava local history exposition) digitized (2020, Rucava Tradition Club).
- Centre Mills - antiques storage, memorial exhibition of Pūķu Jānis, seminar hall (2020, Rucava parish municipality).
- decrypted and published Rucava folklore material, books “Rucavas garamantas I” (2019) and “Rucavas garamantas II” (2022). (Māra Vīksna – book compiler; “Zinātne”; Inga Tapiņa – material decryption).
- The cultural history has been studied, the book “Žvanītāji"of Jauru family” (2022; Rucava Tradition Club, Anna Roga – text author, Sandra Aigare – text author, book compiler), “Dunika Time Book 1812-1858” (2022; Rucava Tradition Club, VKKF, Rucava parish municipality).
- Study of the tradition “Visiting the newborn”, a video story (2022; traditions “Rucava Wives”).
- An exploration of Rucava pottery, a film created, a ceramic workshop in the Pape parish (Pape Development Association).
- Photographed, systematised inherited glove material, issued book “Rucava Glove Heritage” (2023; Aija Jansone – text author, Ziedīte Muze – text author, Inga Tapiņa – glove technical drawing author; “science”, VKF).
- Concept and content for the presentation tent “Rucava Cultural Space” developed (2022; Rucava traditions club, tradition club “Rucava wives”).
- annual acquisition of traditional cultural heritage in “Zvanītāji Summer School” (Rucava Tradition Club, VKKF).
- Annual traditional cultural festivals in Anna day in Pape “Vītolnieki” (Rucava Tradition Club, Kurzeme Cultural Programme).

The activities mentioned above have had a significant impact. 1. The cultural and historical material identified, archived and digitised is the basis for the development of various educational programmes, teaching methodological materials, instructional materials. 2. The diverse craft skills acquired (knitting, sewing, embroidery, weaving, traditional cooking, singing, musicasting, etc.) have enabled female population of Rucava to get their own gown of honour. 3. The confidence of Rucava community has grown significantly. Rucavnieki are aware of, appreciate and proud of their traditional cultural heritage. 4. Despite generational shifts (many once active inheritance custodians have gone to eternity or become honorary members), new members, growing mastery, are engaging in the maintenance of Rucava traditions. 5. Rucava heritage is shown in traditional cultural programmes in Rucava and elsewhere: Liepaja, Rīga, Sventāja, Palanga, Klaipeda. 6. Rucava has become recognisable, Rucava's cultural tourism products are popular and in demand.

Projects have been supported in VKKF project competitions and Kurzeme cultural programme. Funding was obtained by the Rucava Tradition Club (in the target programme “Development and Sustainability of Intangible Cultural Heritage”): “Support FOR THE strengthening OF RTK for its capacity” EUR 9620 (2021), “" Zvanītāji Summer School 2022 ”– EUR 11520 (2022).
The aid was received from the municipality of Rucava municipality: an annual budget for traditional cultural activities in the budget of the Rucava Culture House (EUR 4000). The Rucava Traditional Cultural Centre has been eliminated after regional reform. The Southern Kurzeme District and folklore centre has been established.
The RUCAVA CULTURE DEVELOPMENT SOCIETY has been established, which has assumed responsibility for the preservation of Rucava cultural heritage and the development of the Rucava Culture Area.

Continuity/Development

A variety of measures will be implemented to promote the element's visibility.
1. Publishing of the book “Rucava Wife Stories”: Documentation of the traditions “Rucava wife” documenting living and traditions in Rucava dialect (2012-2022).
2. Preparation and issuance of the book “Anne Roga Rucava Language Heritage”.
3. Preparation and issuance of the Daiga Straupeniece book “Būtingė and Svent;aja Toponim Dictionary”.
4. The wedding traditions of Rucava will be studied and documented.
5. In collaboration with Latvian National History Museum and Liepāja Museum, a catalogue of Rucava material heritage (books and electronic format) will be created.
6. Collection of Rucava music material (notes and text), People's songs, thematic arrangement and publication in various inventories.
7. In collaboration with Rucava primary school, Liepaja and Southern Kurzeme educational institutions will be encouraged to study the traditional cultural space of Rucava in pupils' creative competitions and research projects.

A variety of measures are planned for the protection and development of the element.
1. Regular conferences on cultural history topics of Rucava Culture.
2. Annual Summer Solstice festival in Pape Ķoņu village “Vītolnieki”.
3. Annual Traditional Cultural festivals in Anne Pappes Cologne Village “Vītolnieki” – Demonstration of Rucava rich heritage and traditions.
4. The annual “caller” summer school – a summer camp for the population of all generations, where, by attracting masters of different positions, a diverse educational interest education is offered and the intangible and cultural heritage of Rucava has been acquired.
5. Promotion of the recognition of the traditional cultural space of Rucava in a regional, national and international audience, using various forms and opportunities (masters, seminars, lectures, presentations, discussions, exhibitions, publications, social networks Facebook “Rucava cultural space”, website etc.), involvement of the people of Rucava culture in co-operation.
6. “Rucava gloves.” Preparation and extradition of the painting book for children, promoting the sense of belonging of the younger generation to Rucava Culture.
7. Creation of the “Rucava Cultural Space” sign for the identification of the territory (including the names of ancient villages, homes, natural and historical monuments).
8. The gradual development of ancient objects and traditional products for the preservation of the traditional cultural space of Rucava.

Objectives of the planned measures:
- preservation of the rich and valuable traditional cultural heritage of Rucava;
- the prosperity of the people of Rucava culture, the values of their cultural values and their affiliation;
- Recognition of the traditional cultural space of Rucava in Latvia and the world.

Threats

Threats are general in the context of globalisation, the migration of citizens, as well as the limited financial capacity of the Rucava municipality (small municipality and relatively small income from taxpayers).

Applicant

Rucava municipality council, Reg. No. 90000059230

Image Gallery

Rucavian Skaidrīte Zeme in her personal late-19th-century folk costume reconstruction

Parts of the folk costume: tresotais lindruks [fringed skirt] un bruste [vest], krūmotais [embroidered] shirt, 3 villaines [cloaks]: the white embroidered villaine, mārģine [plaid cloak], and the linen snātene or drābule, which have been fastened on the right elbow with a stack of saktas or bundulinas (brooch-like jewelry); head covered with nāmats (women’s head cloth), on top of which a delicate wool shawl musline has been tied, the collar has been fastened with an amber kniepķens (pin); wearing an amber necklace around the neck; footwear - white wool socks caurlielines and leather shoes. 2017. Photo: Arnolds Aigars

Rucava women Vendija Miklāva, Aija Cinkmane, Skaidrīte Zeme, Sandra Aigare, Dzintra Skrube in late 19th century and early 20th century folk costume reconstructions

2017. Photo: Arnolds Aigars

Rucava women in traditional folk attire at the VII Latvian Song festival in Rīga

1931. Photo from the Archives of the Liepāja museum (LM 44513)

Rucava white butter made by master Mirdza Ārenta.

The skills of white butter preparation have been included in the EU Protection of geographical indication list. 2017. Photo: Arnolds Aigars

Kurzeme honorary feast that is inconceivable without rye bread and white butter.

Ethnographic Open-Air Museum of Latvia, 2008. Photo: Arnolds Aigars

A grated potato loave preparation master class for Japanese visitors.

2016. Photo: Arnolds Aigars

Participants of the “Zvanītāji summer school” feast on bimbalu tīre at lunch.

2015. Photo: Arnolds Aigars

Celebration of Jāņi - summer solstice in the Vītolnieki farmstead

Pape, 2010. Photo: Arnolds Aigars

The Jāņi summer solstice feast in the Vītolnieki farmstead

Pape, 2013. Photo: Arnolds Aigars

Summer solstice Jāņi games in the Vītolnieki homestead

Pape, 2013. Photo: Arnolds Aigars

Celebrators of the summer solstice Jāņi head to the farmstead after watching the sun set into the sea

2013. Photo: Arnolds Aigars

Easter feast with egg cracking duels and egg eating

Zvanītāji, 2010. Photo: Arnolds Aigars

Audio Materials

The languages of Rucava

1. A sample of the Sventāja dialect (0:00-1:35). Bearers of local heritage Margarita Penkoka and Elvīra Mielava interviewed by B. Laumane, 2000 / 2. Sample of the Būtiņģe dialect (1:40-2:18), bearer of local heritage Anna Šmite, interviewed by E. Trumpa and L. Markus-Narvila. Rucava, 2006 /3. Sample of the Nida dialect (2:23-4:00). Bearers of local heritage Jānis Liparts and Anita Šteina interviewed by E. Trumpa and A. Trumpa. Rucava, 2006 / 4. Sample of the Pape dialect (4:05-4:31). Bearer of local heritage Margieta Štammere interviewed by A. Trumpa and E. Trumpa. Pape, 2007 / 5. Sample of the Rucava dialect (4:36-5:41). Bearer of local heritage Emīlija Dejus interviewed by G. Girņus, G. Timbra, L. Markus-Narvila. Pape, 2007 / All of the examples are located in the Liepāja University archives, samples prepared by L. Markus-Narvila

Sample of the Rucava unison singing. Baptism song.

Rucava baptism song sung by Katrīna Grabovska. Rucava, 1961. Audio by A. Miķelsone, sample is located in the Latvian Archives of Folklore (No.0000709, sample prepared by Aldis Pūtelis)

Sample of the Rucava unison singing. Wedding song.

Rucava wedding song sung by Katrīna Grabovska and Anna Vilkaule. Rucava, 1961. Audio by A. Miķelsone, sample is located in the Latvian Archives of Folklore (No.000844, sample prepared by Aldis Pūtelis)

Sample of the Rucava unison singing. Wedding song (“riding” or “bringing” melody)

Rucava wedding song (panākšnieki song with a “riding” or “bringing” melody) sung by Anna Vilkaule. Rucava, 1961. Audio by A. Miķelsone, sample is located in the Latvian Archives of Folklore (No.000848, sample prepared by Aldis Pūtelis)

Sample of the Rucava unison singing. Baptism song.

Rucava baptism song sung by Anna Vilkaule. Rucava, 1961. Audio by A. Miķelsone, sample is located in the Latvian Archives of Folklore (No.000848, sample prepared by Aldis Pūtelis)