The traditional wedding hazelnut staff originated in the Adyghe culture many centuries ago. It symbolized prosperity and fertility.
The Adyghes took special care in selecting materials for wedding attributes. In the old times, staffs were mostly made form hazelnut and walnut, since the Circassians believed that all nut trees brought luck, wellbeing and wealth. It was not customary to plant such tress near a house, especially the house of a small family. People believed that nut trees started growing uncontrollably from the noise of an axe knocking on wood. Sleeping under a nut tree was also not recommended to avoid nightmares.
The Adyghes used nuts in traditional rituals and folk medicine. During the wedding ceremony a bride standing at the door of the groom’s house was showered with nuts, candy and small coins.
Staffs were traditionally made by stringing nuts on threads and weaving garlands from them. In our days, special small drilling machines are used to make two holes in the tough walnut, while in the past this was done using only a knife. Therefore, before starting to make a staff, masters soaked nuts in water to make shells softer and limber. It was customary to make each staff unlike another, so master used pieces of multi-colored fabrics and even candy for decorating staffs.
The Adyghes took special care in selecting materials for wedding attributes. In the old times, staffs were mostly made form hazelnut and walnut, since the Circassians believed that all nut trees brought luck, wellbeing and wealth. It was not customary to plant such tress near a house, especially the house of a small family. People believed that nut trees started growing uncontrollably from the noise of an axe knocking on wood. Sleeping under a nut tree was also not recommended to avoid nightmares.
The Adyghes used nuts in traditional rituals and folk medicine. During the wedding ceremony a bride standing at the door of the groom’s house was showered with nuts, candy and small coins.
Staffs were traditionally made by stringing nuts on threads and weaving garlands from them. In our days, special small drilling machines are used to make two holes in the tough walnut, while in the past this was done using only a knife. Therefore, before starting to make a staff, masters soaked nuts in water to make shells softer and limber. It was customary to make each staff unlike another, so master used pieces of multi-colored fabrics and even candy for decorating staffs.