Importance in Community Life

The timber rafting skills of the Gauja raftsmen were seasonal and required knowing how to tie logs together into rafts and float them down the Gauja, making use of the river flow and understanding the nature of its currents in springtime.
Now that the Gauja is no longer utilized as a watercourse for timber drifting, the craft of the Gauja raftsmen is preserved and revived once a year. Every spring in the third week of May, one raft is assembled on the banks of the Gauja above the Spicu Bridge (between the towns of Valmiera and Smiltene) and drifted down the river to Strenči.

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Activities/Functions

Every year several dozen men gather to make a raft, putting into use the skills they learned from old-time Gauja raftsmen. Working together, they take all day to lash six-metre long pine logs into a raft consisting of ten sections or cribs.
Raft assembly consists of several stages.
1. Tying up the sections: using pike poles, logs are launched into the river, a boom is assembled on the river bank, logs are wired to crossbeams, and particular attention is paid to assembling the bow and the rear.
2. Tying up the raft: the completed sections are connected to each other forming the raft.
3. Outfitting the raft: eight-metre long oars are cut out using a saw, mounts are prepared for the oars, buffering logs are attached to the sides of each section, a setting pole is made of freshly peeled spruce, a cook-fire or camboose is set up on the raft, at least 15 poles or quants are prepared for propelling the raft.
The 37.5-kilometre journey from the Spicu Bridge to Strenči takes place over the next two days. The raftsmen, mainly men from Strenči and members of the Gauja Raftsmen's Society, take turns piloting the 80-to 90-metre long raft along the river current around sharp bends, sandbars, island, rocks, and over tree stumps.
Over the course of the journey, the river banks echo with the songs of the Gauja raftsmen.
The familiar raftsmen's adage that "a raft must go the way of the raft" can be heard frequently, along with the vernacular of timber rafting (plosta arkls--setting pole; galviņa--the bow of the raft; kumbrs--oar mount or bench; ķeksis--pike pole; zaplava--buffering log; ragata--log boom structure; malacis--a trainee/ apprentice rafter; noart plostu--to stop a raft by thrusting a wooden pole into the riverbank, usually several times before the raft comes to a complete stop).
Each time they pass familiar locations that have been known for generations, these are named and remembered: Lielais Valgums, Mazais Valgums, Oliņas, Maskavieši, Pulkas, Staklītes, Dāvīša koki, Vācu sala, and Mīlestības vēris among others.
The rafting journey ends by the Old Oak in Strenči with the Gauja Raftsmen's Festival that gathers old-time Gauja raftsmen from all over Vidzeme, most of the people of Strenči and the surrounding county, as well as guests. The festival honours this deeply historical and culturally significant Vidzeme tradition with a celebratory meeting of the raft, the raftsmen's parade, and greeting.

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Inheritance and Transmission

Even though the Gauja tradition of timber rafting has lost its original function, the activities noted here (tying rafts, piloting rafts, the Gauja Raftsmen's Festival) have a significant role both in safeguarding intangible cultural heritage and functioning as a symbolic, ceremonial event that affirms the identity of Strenči as a place that is a source of pride and belonging for local residents, the Gauja rafting tradition and timber rafting tradecraft for more than twenty years.

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History

The skills of the Gauja raftsmen are as old as the Gauja waterway itself. It is known that in the nineteenth century, rafting was a common source of supplementary income for Vidzeme farmers in the springtime when logs were assembled into rafts and drifted down from the headwaters of the Gauja (Sinole, Lejasciems) to Carnikava.
Gauja rafts were 8.5 metres wide (limited by the distance between bridge piers) and up to 95 metres long. Gauja raftsmen needed to be experienced and skilled in order to successfully guide rafts around many islands, sandbanks, cliffs, sharp bends, over rapids and rocky banks without damaging the logs. Although rafting was lucrative, raftsmen earned their money through hard labour and often spent it in taverns on the way home.
An important turning point for this traditional Vidzeme craft was the construction of the Baltezers Canal in 1903, which was a three-kilometre long canal that connected the Gauja River with the Mazais Baltezers Lake. The rafted timber was driven through the canal into booms on the lake, where the logs were sorted and later transported through the Lielais Baltezers, Ķīšezers, or Jugla Lakes to Rīga.
In the twentieth century, timber rafting was gradually overtaken by log driving, with logs being launched individually into the river from at least 193 sites and floated to their destination. At that time, rafts were only used for the highest quality timber and driven on high springtime waters.
Timber rafting on the Gauja became relatively rare after World War II. In the 1950s and 1960s, only quick sinking aspen and birch logs were rafted down to the Mazais Baltezers Lake; other types of logs were drifted freely. However, the practices of raft-tying and rafting persisted because the log drivers were followed by the rear crew or "tail raft" which held cabins for the log drivers. The rear crew were responsible for clearing straggler logs from river banks, sandbars, and islands. Timber drifting on the Gauja came to an end in the late 1960s.

Thanks to the initiative of Strenči resident Martiņš Gaigala, the Gauja raftsmen's tradition was revitalized in co-operation with other earlier rafters (Uldis Polītis, Ārijs Luziks, Māris Mitrevics). The tradition was renewed in 1996; since then these men have been gathering annually to tie raft sections utilizing their ancient tradecraft, allowing them to once again become Gauja raftsmen for a few days, thus ensuring continuity and preservation of the tradition today.

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Additional Information

There are a number of expressions of intangible cultural heritage connected with the tradecraft skills of the Gauja raftsmen.
1. Gauja raftsmen have a vernacular all of their own, some of it related to their tools, some to the work itself, while others to raft structures (see Textual materials). It is also true that their vocabulary has undergone change. Now, for example, the pilot is more often called captain (kapteinis), rather than "korņik"; the journey has become known as an expedition (ekspedīcija); stopovers have become pitstops (pitstopi); and raft sections are called tablets (planšetes).
2. Knowledge of nature and the universe. Gauja rafters must know their river well. Rafterman Romāns Polītis from Strenči observes: “You have to know the kilometre ahead of you. The Gauja must be felt." Advance knowledge of the river is crucial for successful rafting and to ensure safe arrival at the destination. There are a number of observational practices raftsmen used to utilize that allowed them to make decisions about how best to pilot the raft, for example, using pieces of firewood to test the movement of the water at bends in the river and between bridges. It was no joking matter to be a raftsman on the Gauja. When setting out on a journey, raftsmen would leave offerings of flowers, sticks, branches, and tree bark on sacrificial rocks in the river, in an effort to secure the goodwill of natural powers and favourable winds (one such sacrificial rock is known to have been located near the headwaters between Sinole and Lejasciems. (see Tradition Notebook, The Gauja Raftsmen, pp. 11-12, 20). Today rafters express their reliance on higher powers and respect for the intractable rhythms of nature through the well-known adage that "the raft must go the way of the raft". They employ this expression over the course of the rafting journey, as well as a blessing and observation as people enter and leave this world.
3. The song repertoire of the Gauja raftsmen. Gauja raftsmen are today, as they were earlier, tremendous singers. The songs sung by the fire in the evenings, while floating over calmer waters, or near inhabited areas have been handed down and continue to be sung today during the rafting journey and at the Raftsmen's Festival. Beloved songs include "Gaujas laivinieks" [The Boatman of the Gauja], "Še, kur līgo priežu meži" [Here Where the Pine Forests Sway], "Dažu skaistu ziedu" [A Few Beautiful Blossoms] among others, but the honour of the anthem goes to "Everyone Asks, Who Are They?" ["Visi prasa, kas tie tādi?"] which every rafter, young and old, knows, as do their relatives, descendants, and many of those living in Strenči.
4. Log driving is also a skill familiar to Gauja raftsmen. Many rafters knew how to walk on logs in the water with cat-like agility and how to drive individual logs down the river. Logrolling or birling competitions used to be held at rafting festivities.
5. Gauja rafting soup, based on available ingredients, was prepared on the raft in a cast iron pot over the cook-fire. This was not made of fish but rather of smoked meat (usually ribs), grey peas or beans, and pot barley.
6. A fondness for alcohol is characteristic of rafting and Gauja raftsmen were no exception. "Knocking back a shot" on the river bank or on the raft was an entirely mundane occurrence. It is not for nothing that in Latvian "rafting" has two meaning. One is to travel by raft over water, the other refers to hard drinking.
Festivities marking the end of a rafting journey or the end of the season were an integral part of traditional rafting on the Gauja. In earlier times these celebrations would have taken place at taverns, but during the Soviet years, the Latvian Rafting Bureau would host festivities in Alderi after the last raft arrived at the Mazais Baltezers Lake with sports games, logrolling competitions on the Baltezers Canal, concerts, dances, and a buffet supper. Today the rafting journey ends with the Gauja Raftsmen's Festival on the banks of the Gauja in Strenči but also features sports games, concerts, performances, and the first open-air dance party of the season.

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Masters

Today the category of Gauja Raftsmen includes both earlier timber rafters (In 2017, there were still at least 15 men who had worked on the Gauja and been employed by the Latvian Rafting Bureau), as well as the founders and members of the Society of Gauja Raftsmen for a total of 28 individuals.

The following individuals are important and currently active, skilled representatives of the Gauja rafting tradition:
1. Ēriks Gumbelis (b. 1932) from Alderi
2. Uldis Jaukulis (b. 1933) from Vidaga
3. Māris Ansis Mitrevics (b. 1940) from Sigulda
4. Andrejs Birums (b. 1950) from Strenči
5. Romāns Polītis (b. 1958) from Strenči
6. Juris Siliņš (b. 1962) from Strenči
7. Mārtiņš Gaigals (b. 1965) from Strenči
8. Ainārs Vanags (b. 1965) from Strenči
9. Normunds Āboliņš (b. 1966) from Strenči
10. Māris Ozols (b. 1969) from Strenči
11. Ilmārs Strauts (b. 1970) from Strenči
12. Jānis Vāvere (b. 1975) from Strenči
13. Alans Zuza (b. 1979) from Strenči
14. Rolands Polītis (b. 1984) from Strenči
15. Ivo Laktiņš (b.1986) from Strenči
16. Armands Vanags (b. 1988) from Strenči
17. Pēteris Strauts (b. 1999) from Strenči

Romāns Polītis, Mārtiņš Gaigals, and Jānis Vāvere are the individuals responsible for renewing and upholding the rafting tradition today. They have been certified by highly experienced old-time raftsmen in raft assembly, the basic techniques of timber rafting, and for their historical knowledge and cultural skills.

This certification gives them the right to organise timber floating events (including rafting), practise tradecraft skills and traditions, offer training, and pass these on to others.

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Institutions and Organizations

The Society of Gauja Raftsmen was officially founded in Strenči in 2001, but has been active since 1998. The Society's goals are set out in their by-laws.
1. Research and preserve the cultural, historical, social, and tradecraft heritage of the Gauja raftsmen.
2. Promote rafting and its associated traditions as part of Latvia's cultural and historical heritage.
3. Educate society and stakeholders (children, youth, and adults from both Latvia and abroad) in traditional rafting tradecraft.
4. Co-operate and exchange experience and knowledge with similar societies in Latvia and abroad.
5. Carry out activities of public benefit aimed at the development of civil society, as well as the study and preservation of cultural heritage.
The Society of Gauja Raftsmen has been a member of the International Association of Timber Raftsmen since 2001, representing both Latvia and Latvia's timber floating traditions internationally.
The Society currently comprises 28 members, including both private individuals and legal entities.
In 2005, members of the Society recorded a musical album featuring traditional songs of the Gauja raftsmen under the title, Songs by the Gauja Raftsmen's Bonfire.
The Society organizes activities to safeguard and promote the intangible cultural heritage of Gauja rafting traditions with funding from a variety of sources.
The association has close cooperation with the municipality of Valmiera District.
Valmieras takes up the Strenz elementary school.

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Strengthening the Tradition

Cooperation between the Society of Gauja Raftsmen and the municipality of Strenči has been important for the past 21 years. During this time, the Society has carried out both raft-making and timber rafting on the Gauja every year, while the council has held annual Gauja Raftsmen Festivals annually to promote these traditions.
Many years of experience show that this is a very successful model for safeguarding elements of intangible cultural heritage since it not only maintains rafting skills but also promotes the recognition and appreciation of the tradition in the community.
Annual raft-making and timber rafting events take place thanks to the volunteer work provided by members of the Gauja Raftsmen's Society, donations from local businesses (Strenz MRS, A/S Latvijas valsts meži [Latvia's State Forests], funding from Strenči municipal council, and grants from various other sources (Lauku Atbalsta dienests [Rural Support Service], A/S LVM, LEADER, Valsts kultūrkapital fonds [State Culture Capital Foundation]). Over the last five years, this has come to more than 18,000 euros.
For its part, the Strenči municipal council has allocated the following amounts in its annual budget for purposes of the Gauja Raftsmen's Festival (in euros): 9,774 (2014), 6,571 (2015), 7,010 (2016), 10,600 (2017).

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Continuity/Development

The sustainability plan for the next five years projects the continuation of existing activities and the implementation of new activities to promote awareness of this element and its sustainable preservation.
The implementation of the plan includes identifying as much or more funding from a variety of sources.
Going forward, attention will continue to be directed to preventing accidents during raft making and timber rafting.
The Society of Gauja Raftsmen has not only developed binding regulations but has also used grant money to acquire mandatory equipment including three boats, life-saving rings, and lifejackets in various sizes.
In recent years emergency medical technicians have been present during rafting events to provide first aid.

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Threats to the Tradition

The tradecraft skills of the Gauja raftsmen are not endangered, given the ongoing Gauja Raftsmen's Festival held annually in Strenči.
The Gauja Raftsmen's Festival, as the concluding event of the timber rafting journey, ensures the preservation of this historical seasonal tradition and a successful annual transfer of skills. The 21st Festival which took place in 2018, was the outcome of successful co-operation between the Society and the Strenči municipal council, founded on an honourable understanding that what was once started, should be continued.
One can only hope that this interest in timber rafting will not wane with the passing years. On one hand, its continued existence could be threatened by the boredom of experiencing exactly the same event year after year, and on the other, by a loss of enthusiasm as other things in life take priority. Another potential danger lies in the risk of accidents during raft making or on the river during the rafting journey which could have an adverse on the practice of the tradition and its image in society.
Although the Gauja Rafters are committed to preserving their knowledge and skills, as long as "the Gauja doesn't dry up", the tradition still faces a number of threats related to global change, i.e., the demographic situation and economic out-migration. The transfer of skills to a constantly declining youth population, unfortunately, does not guarantee sustainable preservation of traditional knowledge, since many continue to leave the locality, choosing to move to Rīga or abroad for better earning opportunities. Similarly, risks also come from the ever-expanding consumer culture, which does not motivate youth to go out into nature, perform physical labour, engage in crafts to make something by hand or master a craft, such as making a Gauja raft.
Although some believe that rafting on the Gauja ended because of the environmental damage it caused the current, revitalized form of rafting damages neither the river nor its banks. Refuse from the raft-making site, stopovers, and the festival itself is collected and sorted for recycling. The timbers are reused several times, i.e., after every journey, they are carefully untied and return to Strenči county, where they await the upcoming month of May when they are once again taken to the raft-making site at the Spicu Bridge. One timber lasts an average of three to four years and afterwards becomes fuel for the municipality's energy efficiency program.

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Publications

Jakobson, A. (1944). Wood floating in Latvia. Riga: Supply of farm literature.

Willow, I. (2017). Gauja plosters. A tradition of traditions. Interdisciplinary art group “SERDE”.

Mitrevics, M. (1998). Behind the next bend. Valmiera: page.

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Websites

http://strencunovads.lv/kultura–un–tradicijas/tradicionalie–pasakumi–novada/gaujas–plostnieku–svetki/ - a description of the Festival of Gauja plosters in Strenchos, the association of international plots, collected TV and video material on the Gauja plosters.

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