A Grass-mowing Competition

Revision as of 10:39, 26 April 2022

Among the most important social events in the Kupres municipality of Bosnia and Herzegovina is the annual grass mowing custom that takes place in July. The “Days of Moving” competition involves the manual mowing of grass using a scythe on a specific meadow called Strljanica.

The event is judged by the amount of grass mown, the time it took, and the amount of effort required. The speed, width, and cleanliness of the slope are always appreciated. Because the grass is situated at a high altitude, cutting it takes strength and a particular technique. “Kosbaš“ is the name given to the best reaper. In Kupres, being a kosbaša was considered the greatest honor and reputation.

Mowing day is a centuries-old tradition in the area. It attracts thousands of visitors and followers to this exceptional cultural event every year. This activity is crowned each year by the custom of mowing with hand-made scythes and the knightly competition between mowers. The top three mowing parties are recognized at the end by the chief mower, who is treated as a leader. His job is to ensure that the hay is gathered in all the fields, which is crucial to agriculture and cattle breeding, both of which have played essential roles in the local economy.

The Kupres winters were long and harsh, which is why hay was necessary for livestock. It is also for this reason that mowing and storing hay was a crucial and important task for survival. Those who knew how to reap properly had a reputation, and it was celebrated when a male child was born because he was deemed a future reaper straight away.

Male competitors, beginning at the age of eighteen, are introduced to this custom by their fathers, who also received the same elements from their fathers. Women hand-rake the grass and prepare food for guests.

In addition to national costumes, scythes are forged, and cattle are prepared as a part of the competition. People from all ethnic and religious backgrounds are free to participate, as the custom is considered a strong component of Kupres' cultural identity, regardless of background. The Kupres Mowers Association and the bearers themselves are in charge of safeguarding the tradition.

It dates back to ancient times. The Kupres have always also taken part in traditional sports in these meadows, such as long jumps, hiking, horse racing, throwing stones from their shoulders, and tug of war.

References: https://jobbiecrew.com/strljanica-kupres/

https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/grass-mowing-competition-custom-in-kupres-01512

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kupres#UNESCO_Intangible_Cultural_Heritage_of_Humanity

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-|Body=Among the most important social events in the Kupres municipality of Bosnia and Herzegovina is the annual grass mowing custom that takes place in July. The “Days of Moving” competition involves the manual mowing of grass using a scythe on a specific meadow called Strljanica. The event is judged by the amount of grass mown, the time it took, and the amount of effort required. The speed, width, and cleanliness of the slope are always appreciated. Because the grass is situated at a high altitude, cutting it takes strength and a particular technique. “Kosbaš“ is the name given to the best reaper. In Kupres, being a kosbaša was considered the greatest honor and reputation.
+|Body=Among the most important social events in the Kupres municipality of Bosnia and Herzegovina is the annual grass mowing custom that takes place in July. The “Days of Moving” competition involves the manual mowing of grass using a scythe on a specific meadow called Strljanica.
+The event is judged by the amount of grass mown, the time it took, and the amount of effort required. The speed, width, and cleanliness of the slope are always appreciated. Because the grass is situated at a high altitude, cutting it takes strength and a particular technique. “Kosbaš“ is the name given to the best reaper. In Kupres, being a kosbaša was considered the greatest honor and reputation.
 Mowing day is a centuries-old tradition in the area. It attracts thousands of visitors and followers to this exceptional cultural event every year. This activity is crowned each year by the custom of mowing with hand-made scythes and the knightly competition between mowers. The top three mowing parties are recognized at the end by the chief mower, who is treated as a leader. His job is to ensure that the hay is gathered in all the fields, which is crucial to agriculture and cattle breeding, both of which have played essential roles in the local economy.