The building supported on ‘pecka’ stones in its corners is open to visitors. Low walls are made of logs and gaps between them have been sealed with poles. The protruding roof is covered with laths. A triangular opening in the gable was used for smoke removal. It is a copy of the lodge from the Lniorka meadow near the Śmietanowa Pasture. The interior is divided into a workshop and a housing part. The former has a place for a fire and the latter, a small room behind a wall made of boards, contains two plank beds. The lodge was occupied from spring to autumn and life in it focused around the continuously maintained fire. The shepherds including the ‘baca’, ‘juhas’ and ‘honielnik’ (the youngest helpers) had different tasks depending on their functions: they prepared wood for the fire, washed dishes, milked the sheep, produced cheese and, last but not least, took care of the sheep while observing many rituals. The furnishings are typical shepherds’ objects such as cauldrons, ‘cyrpok’, ‘redykołka’, vessels and clothing such as jackets, hats, etc. The whole display illustrates the living conditions in the pastures: work and rest enriched by stories, singing and playing instruments. Such an uncommon rhythm of life stimulated the belief that bacas had supernatural powers and secret knowledge. Another, similar shepherds’ hut can be seen nearby. It is a copy of a lodge from Bory in Chyżne.
Bacówka (Shepherd’s Hut), Museum – Orawa Ethnographic Park
Beacon