Amber hunting on the coast of Lithuania

Amber hunting on the coast of Lithuania

Since ancient times, people have tried to extract amber in all sorts of ways – digging it up from the bottom of the lagoon, retrieving it while diving, etc. However, the main method – amber catching with scoop nets – has remained the same as it always was. The catching of amber using nets is documented in the 17th-century documents and engravings kept in Prussian archives, but it is believed that the craft is much older. Fishing for Baltic gold and collecting it along our coast only became a free and accessible activity for everyone in the 19th century, as this practice had been strictly regulated for centuries.

Amber is caught after a storm, by wading into the sea near the shore or a little further out, using tools of various shapes and sizes made by the hunters themselves, consisting of a long handle with a metal hoop and a mesh bag attached to it.

The amount of amber nuggets caught depends on many factors: weather conditions, the number and intensity of storms, wind, currents, wave height and direction, as well as the hunters' knowledge and experience. Ideally, after the storm has subsided, the waves should roll toward the shore, pushing against one another; the resulting currents then lift algae, twigs, and seaweed from the seabed and wash this debris up on the shore along with pieces of amber. Hunting is done alone or in small groups – with a family member or a friend: one works in the water with a scoop net, while the other searches for pieces of amber among the seaweed that has been pulled ashore.

When talking about the craft of amber hunting, the fishermen say they pass on certain secrets only to family members. Even today, in Palanga, Nida, Karklė, and other areas of Klaipėda region, there are families in which several generations have been involved in amber hunting. The amber collected is processed by the hunters themselves or sold to buyers.

There are several dozen professional amber hunters in Lithuania, and far more amateurs who venture out to the waves from time to time. Although it is hard, exhausting, and sometimes even dangerous work, for those who do it regularly, it is a way to earn some extra money. For others – both locals and visitors from afar – it is an enjoyable pastime and a way to experience the intricacies and challenges of amber hunting during guided tours in the Seaside Regional Park.

Folklore ensemble Mėguva

MĖGUVA folklore ensemble of Palanga Culture Centre was founded in 1988 and took its name from the historic Curonian region, of which Palanga was the centre – Mėguva. The main goal of the ensemble is to continue the traditions of the Palanga region. All of this is reflected in the new thematic programmes prepared annually, which convey the Palanga residents’ perspective on the history of their city and region, based on the folklore of this area from the late 19th to the 20th century. The repertoire of Mėguva includes monophonic songs from Šventoji and the coastal region, polyphonic songs from Samogitia, old hymns, romances, legends and tales, circle dances, games, dances, and instrumental music, modern folklore interpretations, sutartinės, and calendar songs from other regions. The foundations of the ensemble's repertoire were laid by former members – excellent performers and prominent figures – Regina Andriekutė, Petras Kazlauskas, Petras Domeika, Kazys Jakubauskas. The ensemble's meaningful work has been recognised and appreciated: experts of the Lithuanian National Culture Centre recognised Mėguva as the best city folklore ensemble of 1999 and nominated it for the Aukso Paukštė (Golden Bird) award. The

folklore ensemble represented Lithuania at international festivals in Latvia, Finland, the Czech Republic, France, Ukraine, Belgium, and Hungary.

Since 1997, the instrumental group has been led by Diana Šeduikienė. Over the years, the musicians changed, and the band’s line-up has been very diverse, but the goal has always remained the same – to play the traditional music of our homeland with the greatest pleasure. Much of the experience has been gained from traditional folk musicians – both in terms of repertoire and playing style. Over the years, the ensemble has participated in numerous festivals, celebrations, and competitions.