kecsegtet

Kecsegtet is a term used in Hungarian folklore to denote a traditional ritual song and accompanying dance performed by shepherd communities during seasonal transhumance and village celebrations. The performance typically features a lead singer who improvises verses, with response from a chorus, and rhythmic handclaps or stamping. Instrumental accompaniment is sparse and may include a fiddle or wooden flute in some communities.

Etymology: The name is commonly linked to the Hungarian word kecske (goat), suggesting a pastoral association. Linguistic evidence places early forms of the term in oral tradition in the Great Hungarian Plain in the 19th century, though the exact origin remains uncertain.

Performance and themes: Lyrics often revolve around weather, pasture conditions, seasonal work, generosity, and solidarity among herders. The structure is typically cyclical, with repeated refrains that invite audience participation. Regional variants exist in tempo and melodic contour.

Cultural role: Kecsegtet functions as social bonding during migration, marks religious or folk rites, and serves as a repository for local lore. In some areas, the practice declined during industrialization but has been revived in cultural heritage projects and festivals.

Scholarly status: Ethnomusicologists study kecsegtet as part of Hungarian rural music and transhumance culture; recordings and field notes are kept in regional archives. The term is obscure outside specialist contexts. See also: Hungarian folk music, transhumance.