Yule Goat head

Unknown1917

Yule Goat head of horn and skin on a wooden frame with a long handle. From Nås in Dalarna from the early 1900s.

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Details

Title: Yule Goat head
Creator: Unknown
Date Created: 1917
Physical Dimensions: w63 x h104 cm
More Information: The Yule Goat tradition was around long before Santa and Christmas trees became part of the celebrations. He usually came to visit on the day after Christmas, in the form of a person dressed as a goat, who caused havoc, teasing and challenging by blurting out truths and only calmed down once he was given food and snaps. Young people went around the farms in the village and gathered food and drink for a party afterwards. The tradition gradually changed to one in which the Yule Goat handed out presents. He retained that role until Santa came along. Today's straw goats are what is left of what was once a wild and unruly figure. The pole was tied to the back and when the wearer pulled the string, the goat's jaw clattered open and closed. That's why it was sometimes called a 'clatter goat.' Some goats had a built-in tube down to a container so that ale or snaps could be poured directly into the mouth. Height with pole = 104 cm Width between horn tips = 63 cm
Type: Clothing
Rights: Photo: Jessica Wallin, © Nordiska museet
External Link: http://www.digitaltmuseum.se/things/julbocksmask-nordiska-museets-freml-invnr/S-NM/NMA.0044301

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