Traditional shoulder bag

Traditional shoulder bag

The components that define the image of the traditional costume are the traiste (shoulder bags) and desagi (saddle bags). These items serve both a functional-utilitarian and an informational-aesthetic role. Their purpose and usability distinguish them as trăistuțe (small bags), traiște (larger shoulder bags), and desagi (saddle bags). The variation within this group of items was determined by criteria such as size, color, ornamentation, and the raw materials used. Based on the materials from which they were made, traiste and desagi could be crafted from hemp, wool, or finely woven wool (lâniță). The way these bags were carried also differed. Trăistuțele and traiștele were worn over the shoulder or diagonally, in a style called "arcește". Desagi, on the other hand, were carried bilaterally, either over the shoulder or across a saddle. They were most commonly made from a single integral piece of fabric. Trăistuțele and traiștele were complemented by baieră, brâu, or bată, which helped support and carry them over the shoulder . These straps could be made by twisting multiple threads together, weaving them with two heddles, or handpicking the patterns. Some trăistuțe and desagi featured pave (folded extensions) that made them more spacious. Trăistuțele were an essential accessory for children, especially for those attending school, as they were used to carry textbooks and other school supplies at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. According to field informants, trăistuțele were also used by children when they went Christmas carolling (colindatul) and New Year’s Eve wishing (uratul), where they collected the gifts offered by the householders as tokens of goodwill and prosperity.

657

craftedobjects

2024

iain

Romanian

Physical Object

394

Trăistă, trăistută, desagă in Romanian

12/06/2025

30cm x 15cm x 23cm

https://www.memoria-ethnologica.ro/?s=traist%C4%83

current,47.96676994194350,23.69999999646070;

TEXT

https://culturality.museum/wiki/index.php/Traditional_shoulder_bag

658

Wool dyed with vegetable colours

Cultural

fibre and textile crafts

loom (război de țesut) more that 100 years old, reel (crâng/vîrtelniță), carder (rășchitor), sley (sucală), warp (urzoi), spindle (fuse), spinning wheel for a thicker type of wool (drugă/fuior) and after the wool material is hand- sewn together

Săpânța, Maramureș, Romania

Locally sourced wool, vegetable colors from local plants like walnut leaves, red onions, privet for black colo

The weaver uses the loom (război de țesut) more that 100 years old, reel (crâng/vîrtelniță), carder (rășchitor), sley (sucală), warp (urzoi), spindle (fuse), spinning wheel for a thicker type of wool (drugă/fuior) and after the wool material is hand- sewn together. A special attention is given to the strap and occasional decorations like fringes if the bag is used for festive occasions.

These items serve both a functional-utilitarian and an informational-aesthetic role. Their purpose and usability distinguish them as trăistuțe (small bags), traiște (larger shoulder bags), and desagi (saddle bags). The variation within this group of items was determined by criteria such as size, color, ornamentation, and the raw materials used.

In this case the weaver sells these products

The weaver cand allocate from 2 hours to 1 entire day to produce such items, ocassionaly she involves family members when commissioned to larger quantity of items, but nevertheless it is not mass production.

These items serve both a functional-utilitarian and an informational-aesthetic role. Their purpose and usability distinguish them as trăistuțe (small bags), traiște (larger shoulder bags), and desagi (saddle bags). The variation within this group of items was determined by criteria such as size, color, ornamentation, and the raw materials used.