The director of the Center of Folk Culture of the Republic of Adygea, Amerbiy Kulov said:
Horn
Creation period
circa 1960s
Place of сreation
the USSR
Dimensions
29x5,5 cm
Technique
bone, metal; forging
Collection
Exhibition
0
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#3
The Adyghe made grape wine — sane. But it was only served during important holidays. It was usually drunk straight from a large bowl (falye), which was passed around in a circle. Nothing except the bowl was used at such a table. Only the most respected guest could drink from the horn (bzhak). The Adyghe considered getting drunk at a party disgraceful.
#4
The feast of the Adyghe turned into a game where the host aimed to get the guests drunk, while the guests had to not get drunk.
The most common Adyghe alcoholic beverage was “bakhsyma”. It was made from millet flour, honey and barley malt. This drink lifted the mood, toned the person up and caused no damage to the health.
The 15th-century Italian traveler, Giorgio Interiano, wrote about the Adyghe: #6
They drink with great solemnity and reverence… Always with a bare head as a sign of highest humility.
#7
Another name for a drinking horn is “rhython”. For several millennia, these vessels were made from the natural horns of even-toed ungulates like deer, antelopes, cows and sheep. The horns required pretreatment.
Currently, such ritons are in demand among tourists visiting southern regions of Russia. Residents of the Caucasus buy them mainly as gifts for friends and acquaintances from other regions. Sometimes these horns are used as originally intended — for drinking wine and saying toasts.
If the riton is not intended for drinking, but for interior design, it is decorated with metal, embossed or hand-stamped jewelry. Horns suitable for drinking are inlaid with silver or have no metal ornaments at all. Even though horns decorated with brass look impressive, they are not suitable as drinking vessels, as prolonged exposure to liquids leads to the oxidation of brass which results in it getting covered in a green coating.
Most often, ritons are made of bull or cow horns. The horns of the Kalmyk breed are particularly beautiful. Only sheep horns are not suitable for ritons, as they are too twisted. #5
Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation
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Horn
Creation period
circa 1960s
Place of сreation
the USSR
Dimensions
29x5,5 cm
Technique
bone, metal; forging
Collection
Exhibition
0
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