Gnat repeller.

Yakuts

Yakut Okrug

конец XIX - начало ХХ вв.

Engineer V.E. Petrov's Nelkan-Ayan expedition

Wood; leather: natural leather: suede: skin suede (reindeer); metal; fibers: animal: horse hair

РЭМ 825-12

Made of black horse tail hair, with a copper handle. The gnat repeller not only was used to drive gnats off, but also had a ritual purpose. It was believed to have magic power, protecting human and cattle’s well-being from evil spirits. The gnat repeller was used to brush away for sacral purification during the Yssyakh kumiss feast, wedding and maternity ceremonies, and other important events. Abstract by M.V. Fedorova