1917.53.658

Collection type

Object

Description

Plait of straw, for harvest ceremony.

Geographical reference

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Europe > Northern Europe > United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Wales Dyfed near Llanybyther

Cultural groups

Welsh

Person

Field collector J.G. Gwenogfryn Evans

Field collector John Gwenogvryn Evans

PRM source Anna Rebecca Tylor

Date / Period

Date made: Before 1886

Date collected

August 1886

Acquisition information

Donated: 1917

Materials and processes

Material Straw Fibre Plant, Process Plaited

Dimensions

Length: max 580 mm approx

Object numbers

Accession number: 1917.53.658

Associated publications

Mentioned in Ellen Ettlinger, Folklore vol 54, no. 1, (March 1943) pp 227-249, 'We come now to the last group which comprises charms, and it seems to me that they are nowhere better represented than in the Pitt Rivers Museum. I found it helpful to arrange the specimens according to the classification: Imitative and Contagious Magic. [Sir James Frazer, The Golden Bough 3rd ed. Part i (London 1911) vol i p 52] Imitative Magic means that any desired effect can be produced by merely imitating it. ... Another instance is furnished by a harvest-ornament called "Caseg Fedi" which was found hung under a loft (at Maesymeillion near Llanybyther) in Co. Cardigan. It is reported that if the man-servant could convey this last wisp of straw cut at the harvest into the farmhouse dry, he got a shilling from the mistress of the house. But this was almost impossible as the mistress and her maids awaited the bringing home of the "Caseg Fedi" with pails of full water, which was freely poured over the bringer at the door. This custom must be regarded as a rain-charm, when after the drought of summer the autumnal dew and rain were urgently needed.' [p 244]

Search terms: Agriculture and Horticulture, Ritual and Ceremonial, Harvest-trophy, Ceremonial Object