intangible cultural heritage

House Names

area : Soca valley
category : oral traditions
Traditional house names are still in use in the Bovec region. They are passed on from generation to generation and represent an important part of local identity.

Traditional house names are still in use in the Bovec region. They are passed on from generation to generation and represent an important part of local identity. Even nowadays many locals still address unknown faces with the question: “Which house do you belong to?”, while the question about the person’s name comes afterwards. Although this may at first glance sound impersonal, house names reveal a lot about local culture.
Usually, they are derived from different details about the owners of the home, such as their profession, character, name etc. They are not permanent and can change or disappear with time, making way for a new name. While some names change house together with their owners, others stick to the original home. The most enduring are the names of important or distinguished families. Liberal views of gender roles present in the local culture are manifested in house names as well. When a woman marries into a family, she can contribute her own house name to her new home. In this case the house would get two equally important names. The same happens when the husband moves into the bride’s house.
House names are a treasure of the historical memory of families and their members. They are also an important part of intangible cultural heritage, offering important insights into the features of local culture, which is why it is necessary to preserve and protect them.

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