Artifact of the month - december
Head Pillow
The purpose of the "artifact of the month" series is to present an outstanding artifact to those interested each month, which can be viewed in the exhibitions of the Mór Memorial and Art Exhibition in the Lamberg Castle.
Carrying a load on the head is still known throughout the Transdanubia region, except for Pilis and Gerecse. The other area is the Transylvanian basin (Mezőség, Kalotaszeg, Aranyoszék, Szilágyság), where carrying loads on the head can be found. The only means of carrying a load on the head is a plate or pad made of a rag or cloth. This is placed on the head because not to damage the scalp. The Hungarian names of these pillows refer to the shape of the object (roll, pretzel, wreath), or for its purpose (’fevó’).
Nowadays, the word roll is the most common of them, it is used in Transdanubia and Transylvanian area. Carrying loads on the head is carried out only by women, men do it differently. This way of carrying a load gives women a straight posture and a nice walk. Also affects hair and head wear.
Carrying a load on the head is a very old method of transportation. Ancient Egyptian statues, Greek and Roman finds testify that it was a common method of transportation in the Mediterranean region. In present-day Transdanubia, the habit also originates from Celtic-Roman times.
Carrying a load on the head is mentioned in the Margit/Margaret legend. Margaret delivered food to the patients in a bowl carried on her head.
In the Turkish era, no taxes had to be paid if someone transported dairy products or fruit on their head. Carrying a load on the head is not known among the neighboring west and east slavic peoples, but it is spread among the Romanian and Balkan slavic peoples. It can be found throughout southern Europe and Black Africa.
The head pillow shown in the photo can be viewed by visitors in the chamber of the German National Landscape House of the Lamberg Castle
Source: Magyar Néprajzi Lexikon