Rattle – Easter tradition

The sound of a wooden rattle used as a Slovenian folk instrument. These rattles are used in the period before Easter (from Maundy Thursday to the Saturday before Easter Sunday) instead of church bells. In some places they had a large rattle located in the church tower, whilst elsewhere groups of children would sound smaller rattles. This tradition has been preserved in some locations in Slovenia to this day.

The rattle was also used to scare starlings in the vineyards. Today it is used by fans of outdoor sports events, for example in the ski jumping competitions at Planica.

This rattle dates from 1944, and belongs to Dušan M. from Opatje selo. It was made by one of the Italian prisoners of war, from Friuli, placed in forced labour as cabinetmakers in the village during the German occupation.

Sound recordist: Dušan Oblak
Video recordist: Barbara Grilc
Photographer: Barbara Grilc