The Village Rechka. Production of Gunya (Hutsul Clothes). The Source.

The village Rechka (ua: Річка) of Mizhgirya district is situated at an altitude of 555 masl at the foot of the ridge Borzhavski. The first information (mention) about the village was in 1600. According to the legend the village was founded by a man whose name was Rechkay (ua: Річкай). The village is known primarily as the center of the production of Gunya as well as its iron-acidic mineral springs. Citizens called them "Kvass". One of which is located right in the center of the village. Local people tell that there are 7 sources. Also on the outskirts of the village there is one of the hiking trail which leads to Borzhavskij ridge. It is very popular among the foreign tourists. They are frequent visitors of the village.

Actually "Gunya" (ua: Гуня) is very warm winter national and traditional clothing for hutsuls. Transcarpathian or to be more precisely "rechanskie Gunyas" are a little different from those which once were worn by people from the other side of the Carpathians. There were fake sleeves in "Gunya" behind the Carpathian Mountains while the local "Gunya" sleeves are used for their intended purpose. Rechanskie "Gunya" is very similar as modern spacious, stylish jacket with wide sleeves and a low "back". "Spaciousness" is very important when you are not just going for a walk but you are active working in these clothes. Besides, in the Carpathian region "Kiptar" is not so popular. It is a coat without sleeves which is decorated with embroidery, fur and other baubles. Rechansky analogue of "Kiptar" is called "Kotsovanі" and it is a cape but not a jerkin. The cape (mantle) is very fluffy and there is much more wool (from five sheep) than in "gunya" (from two sheep). It is also produced "Dzhergi" blankets in the village. For their own needs they are sewed a few more types of woolen clothing but they offer tourists only these three positions.

By the way, Bulgarian word "Gunya" means "The coat of goats' wool" and this word is in many languages and the average its meaning is described and meant "A cape, an outerwear, a blanket, wool". Slovenian is gunj, Czech is houne, Slovak is huna, Polish is gunia etc.

Production of "Gunya" begins with the sheep shearing. Then their wool is well washed, dried, combed out and only then spun fiber from it. Then it is used very slow loom. Everything is done by hand. When the cloth is made it is used the "Valilo" (from the word "lying around"). It is Transcarpathian analogue of modern washing machine. "Valilo" is a wooden barrel which is set on a mountain stream. The Water from the stream under the pressure flows into it forming a whirlpool. Cloth from sheep's wool which was put into a "Valilo" and laid inside it a day becomes strong and tough and becomes "fluffy" outside. It gives the material the extra protection against the frost. After "Valilo" it is drying and sewing. By the way, properly made "Gunya" is waterproof. It will not be wet even under the heavy rain. The water simply runs off without seeping deep into the tissue…

It is said that the villagers not only sew "Gunya" and "kotsovani" for sale but they wear these clothes. I was in the village twice but I did not see anyone in these clothes and I could not take pictures of them…

Glandular acidulous source "Kvass" is located in the centre of the village. It is one more place of interest in Rechka. It is a square wooden tub in the middle of the field where is a gurgle from the ground and flows tasty mineral water.



There are leeches in the source which are floating, wriggling...



…but the water in it is tasty and fresh.

Rechanskaya stone church (St. Michael; type "Basilica") is fairly new. Its construction was begun in 1887 and was finished in 1900. The Temple was "updated" in 1941 according to the project of the engineer Egreshi. In 1955 it was built a stone chapel near the church.



Nevertheless, there was a wooden church in the village. It was mentioned in the documents in 1751 about a wooden church with two bells and in very bad condition. Another mentioning was in 1801. It was said that there were 160 parishioners in the church. It needed constant repair. Then the church was burned and the place where it was stood was pointed by cross in the cemetery.

19.04.2011. 09:14

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