Čovjek je oduvijek osjećao nemoć pred prirodom, a zvončarska tradicija povezana je s borbom pastira za preživljavanje. Zoomorfne maske s rogovima, zvona, bačuke i ovčja koža služili su odvraćanju zlih sila, ali i prizivanju plodnosti.
Strašnom pojavom, snagom ritualnih pokreta i zvonjavom, kroz gusto crnilo neprohodnih šuma, iskazivali su jakost pred zlim duhovima zime.
Postav izložbe kroz eksponate i interakcije tumači odnos čovjeka prema prirodi, te odnos čovjeka prema čovjeku i zajednici. Prostorni dizajn sugerira kružno kretanje posjetitelja koje upućuje na nekadašnje magijsko značenje zatvaranja kruga – prostora unutar kojeg djeluje zaštita ostvarena ophodom zvončara.
Običaj, kojeg su nekada gledali u čudu ili sa strahom, živa je baština koja kroz KHZ aktivno održava kulturni identitet Kastavštine.
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House of the Halubje Bell Ringers
Man has always felt powerless against nature, and the bell-ringer tradition reflects the shepherds’ struggle for survival. Zoomorphic masks, bells, clubs, and sheep’s skin were used to ward off evil forces but also to invoke fertility. With a terrifying appearance and ritual movements, they showed strength against evil spirits through dense dark forests.
The exhibition, with its exhibits and interactions, interprets man’s relationship with nature and community. The spatial design suggests a circular movement of visitors, which points to the magical significance of closing the circle – the space within the protection achieved by the bell-ringers’ procession operates.
A custom that was once viewed with wonder or fear is a living heritage that actively maintains the cultural identity of Kastavština through KHZ.
