Section: Homeland | Domownja | Domizna

Jańske jěchanje, Kózle, 18.6.1961

Johannis Ride, Casel, 18.6.1961

Unbekannt / unknown

GDR, 1961, 7 Min

Preparations for a wild ride: a man is adorned with cornflower tendrils and a bonnet by local girls. Surrounded by a bigger group he then rides in open terrain, whilst the gathered villagers attempt to snatch his crown. A hunt carried out according to ancient Sorbian traditions, as still practiced only in the village of Casel, not far from Cottbus.

Michaela Moosche

Silent black and white footage documents the custom, once practiced across the whole of Lower Lusatia. Listed in the German UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage inventory as of 2014, the tradition goes back to the belief that the night before the 24th of June calls forth healing powers that are then imparted to Johann and his crown. The Institute for Sorbian Folk Research regularly captured Sorbian traditions on films, in order to pass these on to future generations in defiance of the threat of assimilation. GL

Filmformat
Pro Re | Doc. | s/w / b/w

Produktion
im Auftrag des Instituts für sorbische Volksforschung

Kontakt
Michaela Moosche:
moosche-stiftung@sorben.com

Unbekannt / unknown -

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