Objects
Gnat repeller. Yakuts
Gnat repeller. Yakuts
Title
Gnat repeller.
Ethnic groups
Yakuts
Territory
Yakut Okrug
Date
конец XIX - начало ХХ вв.
Collectors-person
Pekarski Eduard K.
Collectors
Engineer V.E. Petrov's Nelkan-Ayan expedition
Material
Wood; leather: natural leather: suede: skin suede (reindeer); metal; fibers: animal: horse hair
Number
РЭМ 825-12
Annotation
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