PEOPLE OF SOUTH KURZEME, THEIR LIFE, AND WORK

South Kurzeme Municipality occupies a vast area in the southwest of the Kurzeme Region. It is also called Lower Kurzeme (Lejaskurzeme). Its rural life is characterized by relatively longer preservation of ancient material and intellectual culture compared to other places in Latvia. It mainly pertains to the traditional making and wearing of folk costumes in three parishes – Rucava, Nīca, and Bārta. In South Kurzeme, these traditions disappeared in the second half of the 20th century, along with the last dress-makers and wearers born in the early 20th century. Hence, the understanding of an authentic folk costume specific to each parish has been preserved until today. The ideas about the traditional rituals related to the family celebrations and the necessity to observe them are deep-rooted in the national consciousness, preventing the folklore values of the parish from disappearance alongside the elements of material culture. Jānis Sudmalis, the long-time director and founder of the Liepāja Museum, devoted 35 years to the Liepaja Museum, also creating its collections of ethnographic objects. His work was continued by the next generations of the Museum's staff. These objects formed the basis for the exposition "People, Life and Work in South Kurzeme.

Latvian Bathhouse
Granary
Threshing Barn
From Sheep to Cloth
Feasts and Rituals
Funeral
Baptism
Wedding
Pottery
Forge
Liepāja Museum
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