kljunega

Kljunega is a traditional carved wooden mask used in the coastal region of Vastria, where it figures prominently in ceremonial dances and storytelling. Characterized by a long, curved beak-like projection, the mask combines human and avian features to symbolize the sea and its creatures. In its standard form, the beak extends forward from a rounded face mask, with carved eyes and decorative inlays.

The name kljunega derives from the word kljun, meaning "beak" in several Slavic-influenced languages, with the suffix -ega forming a nominal designation for the object. The term entered regional usage no later than the 18th century in trade and ritual contexts.

Carved from hardwood such as oak or ash, kljunega masks are typically 25–40 cm tall. Makers trim the beak with grooves, grooved lines to evoke feathers, and sometimes insert bone, shell, or metal inlays. Finishes range from natural varnish to painted surfaces in blue and white tones associated with sea imagery.

Historically, kljunega masks are worn by dancers during the Yellownight festival, a harvest and sea-blessing rite. Dancers chant in a ritual language, while performers balance the mask on a headdress and enact stories of sailors, birds, and storms. The mask is believed to confer protection and communal memory.

Artifacts dating to the late 17th century have been found in coastal settlements; regional variants show differences in beak length and decorative motifs. The craft is transmitted within families, often from master carver to apprentice.

Today, kljunega pieces appear in regional museums, with conservation programs to prevent deterioration. Contemporary artists reinterpret the form in sculpture, theater, and installation works, sustaining interest among younger audiences.